Why take on accountancy as a profession? : investigating students’ motivations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine the motivational factors prompting students to undertake accountancy as major area of specialization, in pursuit of an accounting career. Two significant factors examined are the influences from other individuals and the general perception on accountancy as a career choice. DESIGN: Mixed methodology was applied in this study. Qualitative research was used to evaluate data from focus groups. This shed light on the area of study and facilitated the design of the questionnaire. During the second phase of the research process a questionnaire was distributed to the full sample of accounting students between first and fourth year. Quantitative methodology was then applied to analyse the results collected. FINDINGS: This study shows that what drives students towards accounting are mainly extrinsic factors, including high availability of accounting vacancies as well as prestige and social status attributed to the accountancy profession. A significant influence on students’ career choice was found to emerge from parents and lecturers. Factors such as a stressful lifestyle associated with the accounting profession and a high theoretical element attributed to accounting as a subject, were conversely found to be major demotivators. Also, a divergence in students’ perception about of accountancy and the profession was identified. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that because accountancy students are mainly driven by extrinsic factors, repercussions may emerge in the long-run compromising the role of the accountant and sustainability of the profession. The strong parental involvement in career decision-making also needs to be addressed. VALUE: Given the lack of intrinsic factors motivating students to undertake accountancy, the faculty could tap on this finding and strengthen the component of social accounting in view of developing the social commitment of the profession further.