FACTORS INFLUENCING ACCOUNTING COURSE CHOICE OF FIRST YEAR

ACCOUNTING STUDENTS IN UMDC

A Quantitative Research Paper

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree

by

Kristine Tangue
Andrei Olasiman
Hanesa Panday
Liezel Llamas
Nina Buco
Danica Nicole Baranggan
Cherry Ann Dio
Nichole Reducto
Katrina Estandarte

NOVEMBER 2022
 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

In its most basic form, accounting is scorekeeping: it is the process of watching,

measuring, recording, classifying, and summarizing financial data related to the numerous

transactions that occur during the functioning of an institution (Merino, D. N., 2016). One hot

concern in the field of accounting education is the scarcity of professional accountants to fulfill

the ever-increasing demand. According to various research (Baxter and Kavanagh, 2013;

Hiltebeitel et al., 2000), young people's professional goals are often shaped by preconceived

notions, false impressions of professions, and their work environment. With the intensive classes,

complex curriculums, and restricted free time, many students realize that accounting is not the

vocation for them and leave. In Nigeria, Obiamaka, and co-authors (2015) according to the

findings of their research, students find it difficult to choose between a future in the accounting

sector and a career in academia. This data demonstrates one thing to consider in our research:

accounting professions in the industries pay better.

In Malaysia, Hezlina and Abdul (2015) discovered that parents, particularly moms, have

a higher impact on their children's professional choices than their peers, based on data obtained

from Malaysian senior high school students. In the Philippines, national passing rates in

accounting education have been dropping year after year, alarming educational institutions to

generate more accounting professionals as this could indicate the institutions' incapacity to react

to industry changes (Celik & Ecer, 2009). Educators are particularly concerned since these

figures could be indicative of the quality of accounting education in the Philippines. According

to Lee et al. (2014), mathematics skills have been identified as the essential academic knowledge

required for successful accounting students. Moreover, not most students who wish to work in
accounting are fluent in both mathematics and English. In conclusion, the investigation focused

on the verbal and nonverbal skills of fourth year BSAT students at UM Digos College in

connection to accounting competencies.

Mauldin et al. (2000, p. 142) state that the main goal of accounting schools is to generate

a sufficient number of graduates who have a solid understanding of accounting and the excellent

communication and analytical skills required by businesses. The smartest and brightest students

with high aptitudes must graduate from accounting schools in order to meet business demands,

but declining number and quality could imply that employers cannot be satisfied. Accounting

professors, who have a common interest with practitioners in their goal to draw and keep top-

notch students in accounting schools, must be extremely concerned about these trends.

In accordance with (Zakaria et al., 2012), 340 of the accounting students at University

Teknologi MARA Kelantan in Malaysia answered to a survey that was issued to them. SPSS 17

was used to analyze the data, and it was determined from the results that both Subjective norms

and accounting program attitudes are favorably correlated in influencing students' decision to

enroll in an academic degree in accounting. The research also demonstrated that referent groups

significantly influenced students' discipline choice. It is based on the construction of behavioral

measures on the notion of reasoned action model (TRA).

Many studies have been conducted to investigate the elements affecting accounting

students’ accounting courses as well as the factors influencing their decision to pursue

accounting courses, but there are few studies that investigate the relationship between a students’

reputation and their decision to choose accounting as a course. Sharifah and Tinggi (2013)

advocated for further research into the relationship between college reputation and the desire to

pursue accounting as a major. Thus, future research might attempt to provide deeper insights into
the relationship between the two variables. Many factors influence high school students'

professional choices. Identifying these qualities would provide parents, lecturers, and businesses

with a deeper understanding of where learners put their trust in the professional selection

process. It would also allow students to study the methods individuals use to choose a career.

The results of numerous research on the elements that students consider while selecting

an accounting course vary. The decision to become an accountant may not be influenced by the

financial benefits that will be realized but rather by the workplace culture, which calls for swift

adaptation. According to studies by Arismutia (2017) and Ferina (2018), financial incentives are

the most important element in deciding whether or not students choose to become public

accountants. According to Gadzo, Veledar, and Lalic's research from the year 2021, students are

most motivated to choose accounting when they accomplish success, which translates to

reputation in the workplace and society. Accounting majors anticipate financial rewards,

accolades, and recognition. According to Yen et al. (2017), a graduate of an accounting program

will decide their future route. A profession in audit, tax, management accounting, financial

accounting, or finance is one option for accounting students to pursue. One of the factors that

influences someone's employment decision after graduating from college is the pay. Among the

rewards mentioned by Farrington and Beck (2017) are wealth and financial security, prospects,

stimulation and flexibility, stress-free (reversed), as well as community service and career goals.

The study's unique contribution is that it investigates whether students' attitudes towards

accounting are related to their desire to major in accounting or other business disciplines. In

many regions of the world, the complexity of circumstances is responsible for business students'

primary course decisions. Some youths, however, only consider it to be based on their parents'
choice. When selecting a course, students take into account a variety of factors. This study aids

in our understanding of the actual influences on course selection.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the factors influencing the accounting course choice of

grade 12 accounting students in UM Digos College.

This study specifically seeks to answer the following:

1.  What are the factors that influence accounting students' to pursue accounting as their course?

2.  What is the level of influence of first year accounting students' decision to pursue accounting

as their course?

3. What is the level of influence of first-year accounting students' decision not to continue

studying accounting?

4. Does the factors have a significant effect on the accounting course choice of first year

accounting students in UM Digos College?

Scope and Limitation

This study mainly focuses on the factors influencing the accounting course choice of first

year accounting students in UM Digos College. The study is conducted during the school year

2022-2023. It will be delimited only to the first year accounting students, who are the

respondents of the study and specialized in accounting. These students in particular are enrolled

in UM Digos College. Other specializations not under the Department of Accounting, such as

Department of Business Administration, are not part of the study.

Significance of the Study

year accounting students in UM Digos College.

This will be significant to the following:

Students. This study will help students to have insights into the accounting profession. It will

also help them to decide to make sure on what course they will take so that they won’t regret and

shift course in the future.

Teachers. This will inform teachers to encourage their students specifically in the accounting

field to pursue their course by the will of their hearts and lift up their students to strive better in

order to be successful in their chosen profession.

School Administrator. This study will help school administrators to understand the difficulties

faced by the accounting students and for them to give consideration and full support to those who

are taking an accounting course.

Future Researchers. This study may help future researchers in their own research. They might

expand the scope of their own research or enhance this investigation.

Definition of Terms

To make the study easier to understand, the following terms define operationally and/ or

lexically:

Accounting Course Choice. This refers to the major subject/course that requires good analytical

and mathematical skills. It is the senior high school student's decision whether they want to

pursue it in college or not.

Factors. This refers to a circumstance, fact, or influence of difficulties that contribute to senior

high school students in making decisions accounting as their profession.

in UM Dios College, who are the respondents of this study and deciding if they will continue to

pursue accounting courses in their second year.