LAGUNA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY- LOS BAÑOS CAMPUS

ACCOUNTANCY STUDENTS: INFERENCE ON FACTORS INFLUENCING

THEIR FIELD CHOICE BETWEEN INDUSTRY OR ACADEME A.Y 2021-2022

A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of

College of Business Management and Accountancy

Laguna State Polytechnic University

Los Baños Campus

Los Baños, Laguna

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science

in Accountancy

ARAGONES, JAMIE ROSE SALAZAR

GESMUNDO, RACHEL PAGLINAWAN

Objective:
 To determine the factors influencing Accountancy students in their field

choice between Industry and Academe studying at Laguna State Polytechnic

University – Los Banos, Campus Academic Year 2021-2022.

 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION and BACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever wondered about where your opportunity lies, based on

your references, that let you own your career? Accounting is a degree program

that greatly provides job opportunities which is why it has an increasing number

of applicants every year in Laguna State Polytechnic University - Los Baños

Campus despite its challenging journey towards its profession. It is also providing

a foundation of professional knowledge, professional skills, and professional

values, ethics, and attitude that enable them to continue to learn and adapt to

change throughout their professional lives [CITATION Edu17 \l 1033 ]

Every accounting student would have a job opportunities in areas such as

Public Practice, Commerce and Industry, Government, and Education where

they could be Junior Analyst, Consulting Staff, Cost Analyst, Investment Analyst,

Accountancy Staff, Tax Accounting Staff, Financial Analyst, Budget Analyst,

Credit Analyst, Cost Accounting, State Accounting Examiner, NBI Agent,

Treasury Agent, State Accountant, LGU Accountant, Revenue Officer, Audit

Examiner, Budget Officer, Financial Service Specialist, and Junior Accounting

Instructor [CITATION Edu17 \l 1033 ]

In the accounting profession, the practice of accounting is sub-classified to

public accounting, private accounting, education or academe, and government

accounting. In this study, public, private, and government accounting preferably

consider as Industry while, Academe is a teaching profession, these are based

on the observation that the perception of students divided into said categories.

Industries require specialized accounting that provides practices as a tax

accountant, forensic accountant, auditing, and private sector accounting. On the

other hand, Academe is a practice of teaching accounting-related subjects where

they can work as instructors, reviewers, researchers, and authors [ CITATION The03 \l

1033 ].

Accountancy students, like the researchers, face a kind of situation in

choosing what field of accounting they want to take after graduation which is a

vital aspect of one’s life particularly for the physical and emotional well-being of

individuals. There are some of the inquiries entering the mind of aspiring

successful professionals can be directed to what their interests, how much

money they need to earn, and the risks of choosing that direction. However, not

all young people can make career decisions easily, they also consider different

factors, both internal and external. The importance of examining these factors

would assist accountancy students to foresee their future and realize their

direction towards the Industry or Academe. The decision-making process is

complicated by the considerations that they must weigh on the psychological,

sociological, and interpersonal factors affecting them.

Psychological factors like interest, as a result of mindset "who they truly

want to become." Inside a family, a student is being motivated either assertively

or based on their own belief to achieve success. Moreover, these Sociological

and Interpersonal factors including our peers, mentors, or professors, financial

remuneration, socioeconomic status of the family, perception of the economic

situation, media, and opportunities toward professional growth students rely on.

In the Philippines, uncertainty about jobs was reportedly causing stress in Filipino

(Philippine Statistics Authority, 2021), this follows the research to which the

accountancy students’ perception of employment opportunities considering the

financial reward, professional recognition, and job market considerations.

Students' competency in their skills gives them an idea of how far they can

reach. Accounting education should provide a program, that is appropriate and

relevant to the demands of the world of work, so that accounting students who

can graduate and enter the workforce assisting their abilities with increasingly

severe challenges, and readiness regarding professionalism is necessary

[ CITATION Don19 \l 1033 ]. Thus, the accounting faculty and career counselor,

who are more experienced in understanding factors affecting the students’

decisions and their advice could also explain opportunities available in an

accounting career. This supports the determinants that an important issue exists

on undergraduate students as they pursue development on their goals. Students

are more likely to put a lot of effort into learning applicable knowledge and skills,

setting higher career-related goals, and taking steps to achieve those goals.

Furthermore, based on findings that there are some aspects of accounting that

are less desired by undergraduate accounting students, there is need to go in-

depth to study the current state of career choice and reasons for such decisions [

CITATION Obi15 \l 1033 ].

 The aforementioned situations motivated the researchers regarding the

factors influencing their field choice between industry and academe A.Y 2021-

2022 – wherein the study relates to the objective of influencing students. The

outcome of the research would assist the students to expand their exploration

processes and broader their information for the available career positions that

need to be considered before making their final decision. Paving the view of

reality, that if one is undetermined, confused, and fails to make a strong decision

to its career can result in poor performance, anxiety or stress, and unhappiness

or personal dissatisfaction.

Background of the Study

Every school holds a career orientation once a year to assist graduating

students in deciding which field to pursue specifically, for secondary and tertiary.

It is a kind of seminar in which many alumni and visitors give lectures to prepare

students for a better understanding of educational and career opportunities and

options and to help them make meaningful and informed career decisions.

However, these seminars are insufficient for students to make decisions, as they

provide limited information on how to help students identify suitable career and

courses options for the future. When choosing a career, students are not oriented

according to their interests and abilities, but assume that this profession offers

more opportunities. Additionally, students choose careers that they believe will

bring them higher paying jobs in the future. On the other hand, this seminar does

not indicate whether you work in industry or science, which further confuses

students.
 At the seminar of the Regional Congress for the Defense of the Career

[ CITATION Suy13 \l 1033 ], the audience was inspired to take their role in shaping the

minds of young people seriously, helping and teaching them to make career

decisions and reassuring them with a support total that will enable them to

prepare for the world of work. This study identified the factors that influence the

way students think about careers by providing comprehensive support that will

undoubtedly help them improve their experience. To educate them that this is

reality, keep the world in mind at all times, as unexpected events can occur.

Students must understand that career decisions are complex. As they

age, there are a few things to keep in mind that describe their career choices as

a dynamic combination of their developmental stages and prevailing

environmental conditions [ CITATION Kim11 \l 1033 ] . There are several factors to

consider when choosing a career that will help students make a more rational

decision in which to specialize in different aspects of the profession. However, if

they cannot decide on a career, they must consider the consequences of an

uncertain career choice. In the case of an indefinite choice, it can also lead to

failure and disappointment, they turn into denial, oppression, fear and other

factors that take many years to accept the truth. In short, this leads to student

failure.

The problem also situated that sometimes students have a choice, but

sometimes they don't have a choice. Students' desire and interests influence

their choice of course. However, there are cases in which, due to factors that
influence their decision, especially their family, they are forced to do something

they do not want to do.

The aforementioned of this research aims to determine the factors that

can guide students when weighing the career choice between industry and

academe.

Theoretical Framework

The following theories are provided to support the research paper and

explain why this research problem exists.

Holland theory developed the concept of careers that determined the

interaction between personality and environment. His theory consists of six

personality types (RIASEC): Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising,

and Conventional. In choosing a career, some people prefer jobs where they're

comfortable with people around them, wherein they prefer to be surrounded by

people to whom they need similarities. They wanted to be in an environment that

may allow them to express or show their full potential without feeling anxious or

pressured while also fostering a positive and healthy relationship with other

employees to make sure the most effective possible fitness or match. In short,

the higher the match, the more likely the individual will comply with and reach the

chosen field of labor. This idea is critical because it demonstrates how versatile

Holland's theory are going to be when it involves incorporating combination types

[ CITATION Joh \l 1033 ].

 Bill Law Community Theory, describes the influence of both psychological

and sociological factors on career decisions. It explains how the community

within which individual lives and works can motivate people to pursue a selected

career goal. For example, the community could be a group of individuals who

interact or communicate with each other and will have similar interests or

characteristics. When making decisions, an individual frequently listens to or

values the recommendation of others, like what the students do when choosing a

career path. It's difficult for an individual to possess no ideas about things that

require to be decided properly without repercussions (Law, 1981).

As found in conventional research, several factors play a role in career

decision making. Intrinsic factors are related to personal decisions and the

following actions are stimulated by interest, joy, curiosity or enjoyment and

include personality traits, job satisfaction, professional progress and learning

experiences [ CITATION Nya16 \l 1033 ] . It is an internal act that describes the

personality of a person. For example, it is inherent that students choose this

profession because they choose what they want and are satisfied with their

decision. Extrinsic factors, on the other hand, revolve around external

regulations and the advantages associated with certain professions. It is the

external influence such as environment, culture or lifestyle. It is also related to

society and the economy, as economic changes can influence career

development. While students generally choose a career based on financial

compensation, employment opportunities, and accessibility to work. Interpersonal

factors also include parental guidance, which encourages students to make their

own career decisions [ CITATION Sho15 \l 1033 ]

Behavior in any situation depends in part on intention, in part on habitual

responses, and in part on situational pressures and conditions. It is intended to

influence social and affective factors, as well as rational considerations, where a

person's behavior affects their moral beliefs, which can affect their emotions and

perceptions [ CITATION Har77 \l 1033 ]

Changing a person's behavior and emotions can affect their perspective

on decisions, especially for students who cannot make good decisions in life

because there are dos and don'ts, especially when it comes to the future.

The aforementioned theories are the foundation of this study. Students

has many ways to choose their career. They have their own perspective with

regards of what they really wanted to pursue in their future career. One of those

are by considering these factors.

Conceptual Framework

The researchers aim to determine the factors involved in deciding a career

between Industry and Academe. Details of the independent and dependent

variables are shown in the research paradigm of the study below.

Independent Variables Dependent Variable

Factors:

a. Demographic Profile Field Choice

b. Psychological/Intrinsic
 Industry
Factors
c. Sociological/Extrinsic  Academe
Factors
d. Interpersonal Factors
e. Career Orientation

Figure 1. Research Paradigm

Figure 1 shows the independent and dependent variables of the study.

Independent variables include the demographic profile, psychological factors,

sociological factors, interpersonal factors, and previous career orientation that

will be use in determining the effect in choosing a career between Industry and

Academe.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the factors influencing the field choice

between Industry and Academe among Accountancy students at Laguna State

Polytechnic University- Los Baños Campus.

Specifically, it will find answer to the following question:

1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:

1.1 Year Level

1.2 Gender

2. How does the accountancy students assess their field choice between Industry

or Academe in terms of:

2.1 Psychological Factors/Intrinsic Factors

i. Interest

ii. Favorite Academic Subject

iii. Motivation/Support system

iv. Self-efficacy

v. Outcome expectations

2.2 Sociological Factors/Extrinsic Factors

i. Financial Remuneration

ii. Employment Opportunities

iii. Job accessibility

iv. Socioeconomic status of the family

v. Perception in economic situation(pandemic)

vi. Social responsibilities

vii. Skills/Experience

viii. Job Security

2.3 Interpersonal Factors

i. Influence of family member

ii. Peer influence

 iii. Mentors/Professor

iv. Media

3. How do the previous career-orientations affect the students’ decision in

relation to their field choice?

4. What field choice do accountancy students prefer, Industry and Academe?

5. Is there a significant relationship between the factors and the field choice?

6. Which among the factors that have influence the field choice?

Hypotheses

 There is no significant relationship between the field choice and the

factors.

 None among the factors influence accountancy students field choice.

Significance of the Study

The researchers gathered data pertaining to what factors the accountancy

students being influenced by, in making career choice. The findings of the study

that aims to contribute on decision-making process of stakeholders by giving

them the information what are the possible career positions they could have after

graduation. This would help them further gather data or search in order to extend

the previous study conducted which this study would be based on essential

things respondents need to consider towards their endeavor. Thus, the

researchers desire to specifically state who are the particular beneficiaries of this

study, namely:
 To College of Business Management and Accountancy and the

Laguna State Polytechnic University Campuses, researchers' root of intent in

doing this research is to contribute to the campus and department as a whole,

and hoping it would be valuable towards the coming generation. The contribution

that this study could make to these particular beneficiaries is to be a means of

communication between accountancy students and decision-makers in the said

system by giving them what the students acquired learning based on their

curriculum and as well as be the voice of how can the organization either

improve the curriculum or maintain its sustainability and competence of the

students, especially in providing career-orientation. Due to the reason that

accountancy students face with difficult challenges towards their journey in

becoming Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and then after that their specific

career endeavor between Industry or Academe.

To the teachers and counsellor, in this study, the said beneficiaries

would also be aware on how can they execute well the knowledge of accounting

subjects and in real-job experiences they have, also, their right conclusions about

what should the accountancy students need to know when choosing their field. In

this way, the study would contribute on what specific scenarios could be given to

accountancy students, and what could be the advantages and disadvantages in

choosing that field.

To accountancy students, the research would contribute towards the

clear understanding of what career needs to be valued in the lives of students,

such as the purpose of one’s life and most of all happiness, when they have
discovered their true passion as a result of their hard work and perseverance.

Accountancy students also needs to be aware of what they are studying and how

it is important to know where they excel thus, the researchers are aiming to

provide them the theories and own life lessons of previous study and would

furthermore give focus on what they should consider in their inference of their

field choice among the Industry or Academe, wherein they could have offer

opportunities, however, at some point, the knowledge where to stay and find their

true passion in the field of accounting. The researchers deeply hoping that after

graduation, a glance of the right view of their success and avoidance of

dissatisfaction will be imparted to them. As what Confucius have said at the end

the day, choose a job that you love, so that you would never have to work a day

in your in life.

To the Parents. The analysts also inclined to what the family members

most importantly the parents, can affect the decision being made and about to be

made by the respondents. For the researchers, not all the time parents are able

to agree with what could possibly the final career choice of their sons and

daughters, but in this study, it desire to contribute the balance between giving the

students the chance to choose what they want by recognizing it and validating

feelings, and as well as what the parents think is right for them. Therefore, the

data being collected pertains to the importance of parents’ acknowledgement and

realize how their sons and daughters grasp to what truly they want to become

such as by answering questions that relates to the comparison based on their

own wants and what the parents and family members perceive to them.
 To the future researchers, the study would create and would contribute

based on the collected data to the future generations in determining the proper

introduction to their career and help other students that are still confused in their

career path.

Scope and Limitation

  The study comprises the assistance on the decision-making process in

according with the intended field choice of accountancy students from the First

year-level up to Third year level in the academic year of 2020 to 2021 of Laguna

State Polytechnic University-Los Baños Campus, as the researchers inclined to

contribute on the basis of their decision-making. This research also desires to

determine the factors affecting the respondents, both internal and external

factors. The analysts also aim to describe the problems happening when the

particular respondents are unsure of their path at the basis of their career areas.

Thus, the scope of study also embarks clear direction towards the respondents’

success and passion.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined to conceptually and operationally for a

better understanding of this study.

Career- refers to a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement

especially in public, professional, or business life.

Career orientation- is also a career development instructional guidance

program. It’s designed to prepare students to have a better

understanding of educational and career opportunities and options that

would assist them in making meaningful and well-informed career

choices.

Decision-making process- is a reasoning process based on assumptions of

values, preferences and beliefs of the decision-maker.

Financial remuneration- includes all cash or cash-equivalents that are given

to employees in exchange for their work or services. It is typically

included as part of a total remuneration or compensation package, which

includes both financial and non-financial compensation or remuneration.

Influence- refers to the capacity to have an effect on the character,

development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.

Interpersonal factors- are any event, element, individual, or group that

influences positively or negatively the quality of relationships between

individuals or groups.

Profession- pertains to a paid occupation, especially one that involves

prolonged training and a formal qualification.

Psychological Factors- are the factors that talk about the psychology of an

individual that drive his actions to seek satisfaction.

Sociological factors- are elements of society that can radiate positive and

negative influence that cause change in the its elements, structure,

function and orientation.

 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

One of the most important decisions students must make is their career

path, as it affects what happens in their future. Careers are determined by the

interaction of personality and environment [ CITATION Joh \l 1033 ]. People seek an

environment in which they can contribute their skills, abilities, and values, share

similar interests, and express their personality.

As a result of this perspective, people choose careers based on the

following factors: demographic factors, intrinsic factors, extrinsic factors,

interpersonal factors, and career orientation.

Demographic Factors

Due to different perceptions and maturity, year level is one of the factors

that influence a student's future career decision. Maturity has a direct impact on

students' perceptions of career goals, in which adults understanding the

significance of a future career choice more than young people. The year level

assessment is essentially used to assess the level of knowledge acquired by the

students every year[ CITATION Rob18 \l 1033 ]. His study helps to determine where a

student is lacking in a particular career course. He also recommends that the

faculty members may develop plans to help students have better understanding

of each and every lesson of a particular course especially the professional ones

[ CITATION Rob18 \l 1033 ] . For the reason that, students' knowledge of lesson and
career is inadequate; because as young people they still require guidance to

decide to have a clear understanding of the profession and expectations.

 21

Gender is also one of the factors studied when comparing female and

male students. Both men and women have preferences, interests, beliefs or

values and behaviors that affect their careers. The study by Joseph Mwabuni

confirmed that gender-specific influences have a significant influence on

undergraduate accounting students when choosing their career [ CITATION Jos15 \l

1033 ]. Furthermore, they note that despite the public associating accountants with

negative and unethical behavior, accounting students in Ghana remain positive

about the profession.

Gender stereotypes support and influence the interests and activities of

children from the age of six [ CITATION Lin17 \l 1033 ]. Stereotypes are both descriptive

and prescriptive [ CITATION Ann18 \l 1033 ]. Gender stereotypes contain descriptive

elements, that is, beliefs about what men and women do on a regular basis.

However, it has strong prescriptive components or beliefs about what men and

women should do.

Intrinsic Factors

Intrinsic factors are related to self-initiated decisions and the following

actions are stimulated by interest, joy, curiosity or enjoyment and include

personality traits, job satisfaction, professional progress and learning

experiences [ CITATION Nya16 \l 1033 ]. Includes interest, favorite academic

subject, self-efficacy, expectation of results, and motivation or support system.

Intrinsic factors such as flexible working hours and work-life balance are also
 22

considered factors that influence student preferences when choosing a career

[ CITATION Bal16 \l 1033 ]

Based on studies of factors influencing accounting students when

choosing a career in accounting, there is a high motivational influence of intrinsic

factors on their basis for their career decision [ CITATION Rah20 \l 1033 ]. The

researchers also concluded that the self-efficacy of accounting students is

influenced by their belief in their accounting skills and knowledge that guide them

toward their goals of becoming an accountant of choice. The greater the

influence of intrinsic motivation, the greater the decision of students to achieve

their chosen profession [ CITATION Rah20 \l 1033 ].

However, in Massa and Karlsson research behavioral beliefs, the main

factors identified in this study were no personal interest in accounting, accounting

is a boring profession and higher salaries in other occupations which cause

students to have a negative attitude about the accounting profession [ CITATION

Mas182 \l 1033 ]. Their research findings argued that most students in Sweden

would definitely not choose the accounting profession because they do not have

personal interest in accounting, they are just influenced by their family, that

influences their field choice, especially when they believe that their chosen

career will be boring and that other professions like marketing and management

offer higher salaries.

Interest is an important factor in a person's career choice, while academic

performance or requirements can influence interest positively or negatively

 23

[ CITATION DrN20 \l 1033 ]. As for the reason that some students are not good in

their classes, which is detrimental to their decision, however, some students are

great at a specific subject. Students' interest in a particular subject has a

significant impact on their career choices, leading them to make better decisions

in an area they want, and to try to make them feel comfortable when they work

hard because they know they are good at it.

The interest in the subject is also related and has some connection with

the personality type. Personality inequality and lack of interest in the subject are

dangerous and can lead to disastrous results in terms of dissatisfaction,

demotivation, low student productivity, leading to increased dropouts and career

failure [ CITATION Kaz17 \l 1033 ].

The career choice of the students is also influenced by the level of their

social status, financial resources, affordability and future employment availability.

This study was surveyed with the help of different business institutes. As the

interest in the subject is found as the dominant factor, which is area of

specialization and for this, support is needed from professional instructors and

institutes to orient the students on the latest emerging trends, new areas of

interest and its impact, to direct the students’ interest in the right direction and

make multiple interest areas available to them for making better career choices.

It is also important to consider the personality type and intrinsic factors of the

student while advising them on their career choice preferences because their
 24

future performance and success is directly impacted by these factors, and

mismatch of the career choice with the personality could be disastrous.

Self-efficacy was considered a vital intrinsic factor in the career decision-

making process of youth [ CITATION Len18 \l 1033 ]. It is a belief in the student's

abilities to solve problems or overcome challenges in their life. Self-efficacy in

career decisions represents the confidence of people in whom can undertake

activities related to choosing an appropriate career path [ CITATION Cri15 \l 1033

]. Students must have the confidence to take action that motivates them to

improve and develop their skills. On the contrary, some studies have shown a

negative relationship between self-efficacy and professional decisions

[ CITATION Cri15 \l 1033 ].

Outcome expectations motivate students to better judge their career

choice, because unexpected results have consequences. For example, students

who are confident in their tax knowledge expect good grades in tax audits and

hope that the quality of their work will benefit from them. The reverse also applies

to students who are reluctant to pass a tax audit. Therefore, your exam grade is

only average. This also implied that accounting students believe that if they do

work as accountants, they will be able to interact and collaborate with others, as

well as the opportunity to pursue their social activities and hobbies that align with

their goals to become an accountant.

The study found that personal factors, including self-interest and skills, are

becoming the main drivers of accounting students and their accounting careers
 25

[ CITATION NgL17 \l 1033 ]. These factors inherently motivate students to study

accounting. Motivation is necessary for students because it serves as a source of

inspiration to continue in their lives and in their desire to achieve something.

When students are motivated and guided on what to do, they make the best

decisions. They can use it to set goals and plan how they can achieve them in

the future. Students who are driven to attain a goal are confident in their own

abilities that they will achieve that goal.

Extrinsic Factors

Extrinsic factors examined in the reviewed articles included Financial

Remuneration, Employment Opportunities, Job accessibility, Socioeconomic

status of the family, Perception in economic situation(pandemic), Social

responsibilities, Skills/Experience, and Job Security.

A group of researchers concluded that financial rewards, professional

training, professional recognition, work environment, social values, consideration

of the labor market and personalities have significant influence on the selection

of a career as an accountant by accounting students of Batam Polytechnic

College and University Riau Islands [ CITATION Set19 \l 1033 ]. Furthermore, the

accounting "social status" factor in career offerings has a significant negative

association with students' performance. This may be due to the fact that

choosing a public accounting profession because of social status does not

 26

automatically mean that a student will succeed in that field. [ CITATION Har171 \l

1033 ]

Financial remuneration will be recognized as the most influential extrinsic

factor in career choice decisions for the reason that some students choose a

career based on the income or benefits so they can support their families’

financial needs. Study reported that German students ranked “a high income”

highest with a 3.7 out of 5 and regarded it as the most important feature of their

future job in comparison to Croatian students who gave it a lower ranking of 3 out

of 5 [ CITATION Šim17 \l 1033 ]. Income was considered an important component of

life, particularly among youth who had a higher level of individualism [ CITATION

Šim17 \l 1033 ][CITATION Aga18 \l 1033 ]. This result is similar to the finding of Nova and

Hsiao as they concluded that money making, job security and availability exert

influence on accounting students‟ choice of career path in accounting [ CITATION

Nov16 \l 1033 ]. Given that these factors may have significant and insignificant

relationship for the students’ career choice, because students may not appreciate

or be satisfied with their work because they are only concerned with earning

money to support their families.

The study is supported with another result from Liany and Raharja's

research in 2020 that career choice of accounting students are affected both

individual behavior and physical environment [ CITATION Rah20 \l 1033 ]. These comes

from outside of oneself which includes the physical environment such as real

rewards or salary and external characteristics include availability of jobs and high

prestige of being an accounting. As a result, accounting students are determined

 27

that if they do work as an accountant or the specific position they want to as an

accountant, they will get high salaries, have high prestige that directs to their

goals. They concluded higher extrinsic motivation, the higher the decision of

students to reach their goals of becoming their chosen profession [ CITATION Rah20 \l

1033 ].

Half stated that many businesses, especially small and medium-sized

businesses, need helping their clients with consumer assistance programs and

changes to compliance deadlines. Public accounting includes auditing, tax,

forensic accounting, and advisory services that often offer competitive salaries

and ancillary services for working with reputable clients. He also noted that

salaries for accounting positions are expected to remain stable over the next

year, but rewarded talent can still earn competitive salaries [CITATION Rob21 \l 1033 ].

Job security was only cited as influential in one study in which young

Germans rated it as very important compared to their Croatian colleagues

[ CITATION Šim17 \l 1033 ]. If a person values their work and performs well, they

will be able to keep their job and be promoted in the future. Also, they improve

their employee's efficiency level and explore their skills and ability. A company

also needs people who are honest and have good manners at work because no

matter how skilled you are or how good you are in school, if you misbehave, you

will not be accepted. Good manners are a prerequisite for all employees, as well

as for job security.

 28

The impact of social responsibility as a driving force in youth career

decision-making was identified by Fouad who noted that the career decision-

making of South Korean youth is influenced by societal expectations y

[ CITATION Fou16 \l 1033 ]. It is a responsibility for the student's actions and

behavior in society. Local programs have the potential to influence students'

beliefs about career choices because they provide clarity on what it truly entails.

Encourage people to join the community programs to express themselves by

sharing ideas and experiences, particularly when it comes to reality. Students

should be able to make responsible personal choices based on the knowledge

and experiences they gain from participating in various social programs.

Job accessibility was also considered as a deciding factor for youth's

career decision in a collectivist Burkina Faso society where nearness to

employment locations prevented students from choosing careers related to their

preferred fields of endeavor [ CITATION Ati18 \l 1033 ].

In relation to experience and skilled acquired by accounting students

based on Dibabe et al., ascertain that for extrinsic factors most students equally

say that job opportunity, social status of their family, legal responsibility, and

opportunity to gain experience are very important. They also find perception of

the students in the accounting course itself has established rule and focus of the

accountancy students to choose which field they want [ CITATION Dib15 \l

1033 ].
 29

Interpersonal Factors

In the study of Massa and Karlsson at Karlstad Business School, as

normative beliefs, factors affecting accounting students are mostly peers and

teachers, they found out that most of the students likely be influenced by friends

and teachers not to choose a certain career path. which implied that it is also

important for universities to hire qualified teachers in concerning accountancy

students’ decision making for the reason that according to their findings that often

students perceive their teachers as being boring in their profession [ CITATION

Mas182 \l 1033 ]. Therefore, he said, there is significant importance to hire

qualified teachers so that students can be positively influence in making their

decision in accounting profession.

  In the research of Raharja and Liany, interpersonal factors are termed as

third parties, such as family, friends, lecturers, career consultants, community

and the surrounding media [ CITATION Rah20 \l 1033 ]. Their research was

supported by Thing who found that there is significant negative relationship

between the said factors and students' decision [ CITATION Thi18 \l 1033 ]. It is

believed that it is for the reason that most of today's young people, including

accounting students have their own thoughts and desires about what they want

and they do not li aske getting too much influence from others especially in

making their decision of career path.

  Tuwansi et al., believe as well, that parents endorse and encourage their

children, as a qualitative consideration is required to explore the level of family

 30

involvement in youth's career choices among different cultural settings

[ CITATION Ako18 \l 1033 ]. As they agreed that intrinsic, extrinsic, and

interpersonal factors have influence in career decisions of the youth in both

individualistic and collective societies. In contrast, Nova and Hsiao found that

family has less influence on the career choices of Gen Y accounting students.

They also found that when it comes to making decisions, male accounting

students are more influenced by this factor than female accounting students

[ CITATION Nov16 \l 1033 ].

People rely heavily on media to communicate and gather information

regarding various topics. Television and the internet are some of the most

frequently used by students to find information about various professions and

occupations where they also see or find different because it depicts work-related

activities of fictional characters regularly. The media not only raises awareness

and informs people, but it also shapes their attitudes toward change, which has a

significant impact on student's career choices.

Many researchers have found that family background factors can explain

most of the variance in students’ academic achievement and play a more

important role than schools[ CITATION Ber16 \l 1033 ]; [ CITATION Far17 \l

1033 ]. Most students whose families are in the business field rely on their family

to help them choose a career because a family with a good background assists

their children in making decisions. Socioeconomic status can refer to their

standard of living as well as the opportunities and privileges they have in society.
 31

Poverty, in particular, is defined by a variety of physical and psycho-social

stressors rather than a single cause.

Current economic events have a significant impact on student decisions,

particularly during the pandemic. Many people have lost their jobs and are having

difficulty finding new ones as a result of the country's pandemic, which has

affected all of the people's livelihoods and, of course, their families. The

economic situation also has an impact on a person's decision-making because

they must consider things that they know are critical, especially for students who

are just starting in their careers. In today's world, all students can think about is

earning money for their families who are struggling amid pandemics, rather than

prioritizing what they truly want. (ASA Vlog, 2020)

For students, each non-standard event is not an act of repetition, but an

act of novelty, one that requires search and creation [ CITATION Sok20 \l 1033 ].

Career Orientation

It is also one of major factors and reason of the analysts in this study to

connecting the gap in the career orientations accounting students have, they

believed it also important to discover and have the support from the other

researchers such as, as recommended by Harnovinsah it is important that the

accounting study program includes invitation professional public accountants to

interact with students and thereby give them a broad insight into the public
 32

accounting profession as well as to encourage and motivate them by providing

real-life examples and success stories [ CITATION Har171 \l 1033 ]. In addition,

universities can build a strong network between accounting education and work

life by creating a synergistic relationship with the profession and the business

world

  Believes that the social environment of accounting students is also a

major factor in decision making process of the student, as it includes the

university's environment which university would collaborate with professional

accountant body that will provide career exposure including information,

seminars, and training within the said university which are attended by

accounting students, so that students will have the knowledge and abilities in the

field of accounting which they shape student confidence in their abilities and

influence accounting student's behavior in determining career paths [ CITATION

Rah20 \l 1033 ]. Their research also found as statistical results that there is lack of

involvement from the third-party particularly from lecturers and career consultants

who are considered most knowledgeable in accounting career path comparing to

other third parties. Thus, they have concluded the higher the influence of career

exposure, the higher the decision of students to reach their goals of becoming

their chosen profession.

This study is supported by Ng et al., career exposure from professional

accountants and universities has a positive relationship with the career path of

accounting students [ CITATION NgL17 \l 1033 ]. Professional accountants inform

 33

students about career development, which helps them understand the nature of

the work and the various careers available. The more information the students

obtain, the more likely they will make a better decision. Career choice is obtained

from mentor or professor, professional accounting bodies' career talks and

counseling sessions.

Moreover, Massa and Karlsson concluded that by organizing supportive

activities like an accounting day at the business school in the universities where

they invite accounting firms to promote and educate students about their

profession, as well as they should include compulsory internships in the

curriculum for students so that students can learn a lot from their profession

[ CITATION Mas182 \l 1033 ].

Industry/ Academe

The researchers in this study, also eager to find studies on the effect the

factors in choosing the field of the respondents. They have found that, most

accounting students prefer the government accounting profession than the public

accounting, educators, and management accountant because students have

different perception about financial reward, professional recognition, professional

training, and job market considerations, but no difference between their

perception of personality. [ CITATION Don19 \l 1033 ]

 34

  The current findings from Jackson State University indicate that students

prefer public accounting as their first choice of career while private industry

accounting and working for the federal government offer desirable as well

[ CITATION War \l 1033 ]. He also concluded that in choosing long-term career

paths private and public accounting lead the way, another interesting analysis by

him is that students perceive no difference in the work-life balance issues offered

between public, private and government accounting.

According to the studies, wherein the data analyzed using the factor

analysis and t-test, most accounting students prefer to pursue a career in

industry rather than a career in academia [ CITATION Obi15 \l 1033 ]. Also,

Philippine Statistics Authority, 2021 provide a data that out of 100% of

employees, 17.7% prefer to work in an industry such as public accountants,

management accountants, internal auditors, government accountants. As a

result, some of them are based on wages or salaries.

The aforementioned literatures are sourced by the researchers as the aim

of the study is to assist accounting students in their inference of the factors

influencing their field choice between industry or academe, the review related

literature is expected to support the results at the end of the research study,

conforming or not, that in realization supposed to hypothesis, that if whether

there is significant relationship among the variables, whether positive or negative.

From the demographic profile, intrinsic factors, extrinsic factors and interpersonal
 35

factors the researchers wanted to enlighten the main focus of the study which the

decision of accounting students in their career choices who are hoping to provide

contributory details on their field choice supported with the said literature.
 CHAPTER III

RESEACRH METHODOLOGY

The purpose of this study is to determine the factors influencing

Accountancy students field choice between Industry and Academe. This chapter

includes the research design and methodology that will be used by the

researchers in this study. It contains the description of the population and locale

of the study, sampling technique, instruments, procedures, and the statistical

treatment used by the researchers to interpret the collected data.

Research Design

This study will use a descriptive-correlational research design that will

provide an answer to the questions of who, what, when, where, and how it is

associated with a particular research problem rather than answering why, it is

heavily dependent on instrumentation for measurement and often utilizes

observational methods as opposed to the quantitative method. (Shutteleworth, et.

al, 2008). This design will be selected to descriptively helped to compare criteria

in each factor or the independent variables, that correlate the dependent variable

which is affecting students' choice for the importance of having proper

understanding of the research problem. Therefore, supporting all information will

be collected through this procedure and support the respondents in line of

making the best decision on their field.

 37

Respondents of the study

The target population for this study are Accountancy students at Laguna

State Polytechnic University-Los Baños Campus Academic Year 2021-2022

comprising of twenty-one (21) male and ninety-two (92) female students. They

were chosen as respondents since this is about the factors influencing

accounting students' career choices. Furthermore, BSA students were chosen as

the study's population because they are undergraduates who are still exploring

and developing their interests and skills that will help them to choose their career

field.

The table below shown the total population of each year level of BSA.

Table 1:

The population of the BSA students in Laguna State Polytechnic University-Los

Baños Campus

BSA Students Total Population

BSA I-A 36
BSA II-A 38
BSA III-A 39
Total 113

This table shows the total population of each year level of accountancy

students from the College of Business Management and Accountancy (CBMA) at

Laguna State Polytechnic University – Los Baños Campus. The respondents

from each level are: BSA I-A consists of thirty-six (36) students, BSA II-A

consists of thirty-eight (38) students, and BSA III-A consist of thirty-nine (39)

students, in total of one hundred-thirteen (113) students.

 38

Determination of Sampling Technique

A Total Enumeration Sampling Technique were used for selecting the

respondents in this study. This method is used when only a proportion of

members of the whole population are measured, and the researchers have no

control over the retrieval or administered of question. This study included one

hundred-thirteen (113) BSA students from Laguna State Polytechnic University-

Los Baños Campus as respondents. Margin of error will also be used in this

study to measure the maximum amount by which the sample results are

expected to differ from those of the entire population.

Research Instrument

The following are used as instruments to gather the information needed in

the study:

The researchers chose questionnaire-type of survey, they believed that it

is the best instrument to use in gathering data from the respondents and best fit

the objective of the study which is to assist the respondents on their inference

from the factors that influence their field choice between Industry or Academe. In

connection with the descriptive design as well, google survey form would be an

effective medium and tool to the create questionnaire to collect comparable data

based on the independent variables. This would emphasize the questions

probable to be answered, based on the researchers’ statement of the problem

 39

that includes five questions, although only 1 - 4 (one to four) questions can be

answered by the respondents because fifth and sixth are being correlated with

the results that will be discovered later on. This means the questionnaire has four

(4) main parts.

First part, would have two (2) analysis questions based on the

demographic profile which should emphasize the personal data of each

respondent including their Gender, and their Year level.

Second part, is the specific relations of independent variable as such

enumerated in the statement of the problem question number two (2), in which

each factor would have their specific question that can be answerable by Likert

Scale using the description of (1) Strongly Disagree, (2) Disagree, (3) Moderately

Agree, (4) Agree, and (5) Strongly Agree.

Third part, relates to the third (3rd) question from the research problem

that aims to justify previous career orientation of the accounting students,

including three (3) sub-parts. In which the First sub-part would be provided a

question in relation to the frequency of orientations, can scale to (1) None at all,

(2) Not Frequent, (3) Frequent, (4) Very Frequent. The Second sub-part would

provide questions in relation with the ratings of respondents, and can scale it

using the description of (1) Very Dissatisfied, (2) Dissatisfied, (3) Moderately

Satisfied, (4) Satisfied, and (5) Very Satisfied. And the third sub-part would
 40

include that describes the knowledge or perception of the stated fact in their

previous orientations using the description of (1) Strongly Disagree, (2) Disagree,

(3) Moderately Agree, (4) Agree, and (5) Strongly Agree.

The fourth (4) part, provides a question selecting their field choice that is

answerable by using checklist, as well as the last two question, that would

highlight their accumulated knowledge in the accounting professions impacting

their decisions.

Validity of questionnaire would be given as the language used are

understandable and basic English, the researchers intended to provide

comprehensible questions, by delivering the relatable situations but still keeping

the formality of the survey. The questionnaire would also require Name and email

to be answered by the respondents as it would help the collection of the

information easier for the researchers. The researchers would provide the

instructions intended by each part of the questionnaire. Most importantly, this

personal information should not be shared with others without the consent of the

owner and private responses would be secured by the researchers, protected by

Republic Act No. 10173 Data Privacy Act of 2012.

 41

Research Procedure

As the general procedure, questionnaire and responses are maintained

objective and truth, thus, only factual information is the basis to proceed the

study. The descriptive-correlational design provided and researchers’ gathered

information are resulting in line with the research treatment data and sampling

technique. General and primary reason of the procedure and the pursuance of

the study is to identify the determining accounting position in their field choice,

which is why the researchers are motivated as they are also experiencing the

same stage as their respondents. In this way, they have tried to conduct with due

care and with consideration whichever may be the results and choices of the

students, which relates to reasons such as even if they have personally wanted a

specific position in their career, they still find their final decision to be inspired by

the factors in this study. Thus, limits the researcher to not push or influence any

respondents along the research procedure, to remain the objectivity of the

process.

In relation with the research design and instrument the researchers

undertaken the following operational procedures:

1. The researchers will seek approval to conduct the study, first, to the College

of Business Management and Accountancy (CBMA) Dean, then the

Accounting Coordinator of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy students.

2. The researchers have asked CBMA faculty secretary for the population of

accounting students in Academic Year 2020 – 2021.

 42

3. Due to pandemic, the letters for approval are sent electronically through e-

mail of the recipients.

4. The researchers gathered information and proposed title to their Adviser.

5. The researchers proceed to elaborating the other information and theories

towards the chapters of the study.

6. The researchers made questionnaire for the respondents based on the

research design to gather information needed for research problem.

7. The questionnaire will be sent and receive as a form of google survey

through electronic account of the respondents considering their convenient

time.

8. The distributed questionnaires will be retrieved, collected, piled and grouped.

9. Respondents’ responses will tallied, tabulated, analyzed, and interpreted.  

10. The researchers defended the study to respective panelists, and follow any

revisions to the study.

Statistical Treatment of Data

The data collected by accountancy students will statistically analyzed with

the data requirement of the study and with the help of a statistician. The data will

be statistically analyzed using the data instruments of the study, which are

descriptive and inferential statistics.

Problem question one (1) the demographic profile of respondents and four

(4) prefer field choice between Industry and Academe gathered using frequency

count and its percentage equivalent.

 43

Problem question two (2) factors to assess their field choice between

Industry or Academe and three (3) the impacts previous career-orientation

gathered using weighted mean and standard deviation and its corresponding

verbal description.

Problem question five (5) will used inferential statistics, such as Pearson r

or Pearson correlation, to determine whether there is a correlation between

factors and their field choice.

Problem question six (6) factors that have influence the field choice will be

used linear regression estimate to determine the factors that have a greater

impact in field choice.

 44

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