A recent survey from America has found that financial arrangements are the main cause of arguments, with couples who are married or living together averaging three arguments a month over money.

According to the survey, which was conducted for the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) by Harris Interactive, 27% of those who are married or cohabiting said disagreements over money are most likely to prompt a spat. That made it the most volatile topic, ahead of arguments about children, chores, work or friends.

Since 2007, the AICPA has conducted an annual survey of Americans to determine their top financial concerns and assess their financial well-being. Additional findings include:

• Three in ten adults who are married or living with a partner have engaged in at least one potentially deceitful behaviour related to their finances. The most common such behaviours include hiding purchases and making major purchases without consulting their significant other.
• Among married adults, 36% of those aged 55 to 64 say financial matters cause arguments, which is notably higher than the percentage of 18- to 34-year-olds (15%), or seniors (20%), who say the same.
• The average number of arguments prompted by financial matters rises with age. While among all married adults the average number of disagreement is three per month, among those aged 45 to 54, the average number of arguments rises to four per month.
• More than half of those whose financial status has declined in the past year, 53%, report that financial matters are most likely to prompt arguments with their spouse.