Users of annual reports require an extensive range of financial and non‐financial information, whether mandatory or voluntary, in order to assess the fair value of an investment…
Abstract
Users of annual reports require an extensive range of financial and non‐financial information, whether mandatory or voluntary, in order to assess the fair value of an investment. The extent and quality of voluntary information is dependent on company policy, and companies need to make decisions in favour of or against the disclosure of certain informative items. A survey was conducted to examine the perceptions of the compilers and the users of annual reports on the price‐informative value of voluntary disclosures in annual and interim reports. The rankings awarded by compilers and users to the various voluntarily disclosed items were compared in order to determine the significance of the differences between the perception of the two groups. Significant differences were identified and suggestions are made for the improvement of corporations’ voluntary disclosure strategies.
Details
Keywords
This cross‐cultural study examined the career choices of Asian, black and white students at the University of Pretoria to identify the factors motivating Accountancy students to…
Abstract
This cross‐cultural study examined the career choices of Asian, black and white students at the University of Pretoria to identify the factors motivating Accountancy students to become chartered accountants (CAs), as only 2.5 per cent (609) of 24 308 registered CAs in South Africa in 2005 were black, and only 6 per cent (1573) were Indian. Understanding the attitudes and the perceptions of CA first‐year students (identifying key career choice factors) can help course administrators/curriculum designers (the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and the Public Accountants and Auditors’ Board (PAAB)) to align marketing and recruiting strategies with specific personal occupational preferences of different racial groups enrolled for local CA courses. Factors such as decision time‐frame of career choice, socio‐economic background, students’ perceptions of the benefits/constraints of the CA profession, and other jobrelated factors, were analysed. Students attributed their career choice to their school Accounting performance. Most chose this career in Grades 8 to 11. All three groups like the availability of employment as a CA. Constraints were the cost of qualifying (according to black students), and the difficulty of qualifying (Asian and white students).
Details
Keywords
Y. Jordaan, C. Smithard and E. Burger
Career indecision plays a major role in the way students perceive their future career prospects and how they approach these prospects. In addition, career indecision influences…
Abstract
Career indecision plays a major role in the way students perceive their future career prospects and how they approach these prospects. In addition, career indecision influences career‐related thoughts and decisions, and plays a role in the way students formulate career goals. A convenience sample from honours students in Accounting Sciences, Financial Management, Economics and Marketing was drawn and their levels of career indecision were measured using self‐administered questionnaires. The study demonstrates that differences exist between students whose employment status differs, and those who were studying for different degrees. Consequently, this study has vital implications for groups (such as career counsellors and educational institutions) involved in the career decision‐making processes of university students.
Details
Keywords
This article proposes a disclosure framework for the reporting of HIV/Aids‐related information in annual reports to address the lack of consistency in current disclosure…
Abstract
This article proposes a disclosure framework for the reporting of HIV/Aids‐related information in annual reports to address the lack of consistency in current disclosure practices. A literature review was undertaken to determine business risks and responses relating to the disease, followed by an empirical investigation into voluntary disclosure on HIV/Aids by companies listed on the JSE Securities Exchange. The investigation consisted of a thematic content analysis for the period 1998 to 2004. The results of both the literature review and the empirical investigation are used to recommend a disclosure framework that companies can use when reporting on HIV/Aids in their annual reports. The framework recommends the disclosure of HIV/Aids risks and responses by organisations.
Details
Keywords
P.L. Wessels and L.P. Steenkamp
Prior accounting education literature documents that stereotypical images abound of the accountant as introverted, systematic, antisocial and boring. Although these stereotypes…
Abstract
Prior accounting education literature documents that stereotypical images abound of the accountant as introverted, systematic, antisocial and boring. Although these stereotypes clash with the skills required of modern professional accountants to be problem solvers who regularly interact with people, the question is whether students wishing to become accountants still have these stereotyped perceptions. The purpose of this article is to investigate the preconceived notions of students in South Africa about accountants and whether these perceptions differ because of gender, home language or ethnical differences. A comparison is also made of the perceptions of school‐leavers and final‐year students to determine whether these perceptions change during students’ formal period of study at universities. This research, which is currently highly relevant, given the shortage of students pursuing careers as accountants, could contribute to the debate surrounding the concerns of the future of the accounting profession and the implications for contemporary accounting education. It was found that students perceive accountants as structured, precise and solitary individuals. However, students considered it to be an interesting profession. Significant differences were found between the perceptions of different ethnic groups. No significant differences were found between the perceptions of male and female students, or between Afrikaans‐ and English‐speaking students.
Details
Keywords
Not‐for‐profit organisations often experience accounting problems when dealing with the restrictions that donors impose on how the organisations may spend funds. Part of the…
Abstract
Not‐for‐profit organisations often experience accounting problems when dealing with the restrictions that donors impose on how the organisations may spend funds. Part of the accountability and stewardship that the managements of not‐for‐profit organisations assume is adhering to the wishes of donors and reporting compliance with restrictions. Fund accounting is a general phenomenon among not‐for‐profit organisations. The use of different funds usually stems from the restrictions imposed by donors, and funds are used to account for restricted resources. Separate funds are often used to separate restricted funds from other funds in these organisations, and to present information to the users of financial statements, indicating that the organisation has indeed complied with donor‐imposed restrictions. This article discusses the principles of some accounting standards already issued specifically for not‐for‐profit organisations in the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, and presents the results of empirical research on how donor‐imposed restrictions could be recorded in the financial statements of not‐for‐profit organisations.
Details
Keywords
Yen-Hong Ng, Sue-Pei Lai, Zhi-Peng Su, Jing-Yi Yap, Hui-Qi Teoh and Han Lee
The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that influence accounting students’ preference toward career paths. Career path refers to the choices of jobs and occupational…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that influence accounting students’ preference toward career paths. Career path refers to the choices of jobs and occupational positions an individual may choose to hold. Accounting students may choose to advance their career into one of the following areas: financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, auditing, finance, etc. According to past literature, choices of career path are influenced by intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, third parties, and career exposure.
Design/methodology/approach
A self-administered survey was used to collect data from students in a reputable private university in Malaysia. This university recruits a huge number of accounting students annually for its accounting program. A total of 306 questionnaires were collected for data analysis using statistical analysis system.
Findings
The findings of the study suggest that undergraduate accounting students are more influenced by intrinsic motivation and career exposure in selecting their career paths, whereas third parties and extrinsic motivation are less likely to influence undergraduate accounting students’ career choices.
Research limitations/implications
The results, however, could not be generalized to all accounting students in Malaysia since the study was collected from only one private university in Malaysia and non-probability sampling technique was applied. The theoretical contribution of this study is the inclusion of new variables in the model.
Practical implications
Professional accounting bodies may benefit from the findings of this study as it may provide a basis in designing member recruitment strategies.
Originality/value
This paper fulfills an identified need to study how shortage of certain career path for accounting students could be resolved.
Details
Keywords
Cilliers van Zyl and Charl de Villiers
South Africa, like many countries in the rest of the world, is currently facing a shortage of chartered accountants (CAs). The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors…
Abstract
Purpose
South Africa, like many countries in the rest of the world, is currently facing a shortage of chartered accountants (CAs). The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing the career choice of accounting students in South Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was used to assist professional institutes of CAs, universities, audit practitioners and other interested parties to understand the factors that influence students' career choices. The respondents were first‐year business students at a leading South African university.
Findings
The results indicate that CA students' choice is driven mainly by job security, job satisfaction, aptitude for accounting and potential future earnings. Although a high percentage of non‐CA students have considered becoming a CA (61.6 per cent), they cite job satisfaction as one of the key reasons why they decided against a CA qualification. The two groups clearly have different views on job satisfaction. Another important reason the non‐CA group mentioned against CA studies, was the strenuous nature of this field, including the technical difficulty of the subjects and the lengthy period of study required. Significant differences between the CA and non‐CA group were evident when the means of the ratings of career choice factors were compared. All mean scores, for each of the 12 career choice factors, were higher for CA stream students, compared with the non‐CA stream students. A possible reason is that CA students are more career oriented than their non‐CA student counterparts.
Originality/value
This study extends the literature. It investigates and rates the career choice factors influencing accounting students to become a CA and the factors that influence business students not to pursue CA studies. These results could potentially be used to develop a strategy to influence students' career choice of the CA profession in an effort to increase the number of CAs in South Africa.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the communication that takes place through the sustainability disclosure (SD) route has an effect on earnings informativeness…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the communication that takes place through the sustainability disclosure (SD) route has an effect on earnings informativeness (EI) of firms in an emerging market.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consists of companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka, where SD is a new phenomenon and a voluntary reporting initiative. Regression analysis is executed on the panel data to achieve the study objective.
Findings
The result reveals a positive association between SD and EI. Sustainability reports may provide useful information that supplements merely financial data, aiding the stakeholders to interpret the financial reporting better. The finding premises that SD enhances EI, communicating value relevant information to capital market participants.
Practical implications
SD does much to reduce capital market participants’ uncertainties, thereby aiding them to assess financial information better.
Social implications
The findings of the study confirm earlier research findings that indicate a positive association between SD and EI, suggesting that capital market participants are gradually becoming aware of the value relevance of sustainability reports.
Originality/value
This is the first study investigating SD and EI association that is specific to the Sri Lankan context. Owing to the sparse studies done on the SD and EI association, this study should contribute significantly to the existing literature by broadening the geographical coverage.
Details
Keywords
Dan Dacian Cuzdriorean, Szilveszter Fekete, Alina Beattrice Vladu and Cristina Boţa-Avram
This paper aims to address the void in the current literature regarding the determinants of career choice in Romania, an emerging economy. The objective is to furnish empirical…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to address the void in the current literature regarding the determinants of career choice in Romania, an emerging economy. The objective is to furnish empirical data on the factors that impact students’ intentions to pursue a career in accounting while adding to the academic discourse on this topic. To accomplish this, the authors use an integrative model of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and social cognitive career theory (SCCT) in this analysis. This study aims to illuminate the factors that motivate students to pursue an accounting career and attain certification.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consisted of accounting students from the largest public university in Romania, as they were readily accessible. The authors used a structured questionnaire to gather data and analyse the responses. To test the model and research hypotheses, the authors used structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques. Given the sample size, the authors opted for partial least squares SEM, which provides greater flexibility in modelling and can estimate complex models.
Findings
This study reveals that two factors, attitude and perceived behavioural control (PBC), play a significant role in shaping the inclination of accounting students towards pursuing a career in this field. The authors also found that the factor of self-evaluating outcome expectations (SEOEs) strongly influences accounting students’ attitudes. Additionally, the study highlights the impact of self-efficacy on both SEOEs and PBC. However, subjective norms and perceived job availability were not found to significantly sway the intention of accounting students towards this career path.
Research limitations/implications
The research findings hold significant implications for individuals invested in the accounting profession, especially in developing nations where the number of skilled professionals is limited. The use of the TPB and SCCT frameworks in the realm of accounting illustrates the paramount influence of attitude on career aspirations. Consequently, professional organisations and academic institutions can showcase the advantages of the profession and highlight its societal value to appeal to a greater number of students. By fostering a positive perception, countering unfavourable beliefs and augmenting SEOEs and self-efficacy, stakeholders can enhance the appeal of accounting as a career path.
Originality/value
To the best of authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to apply the above integrative model in the accounting field while aiming to improve interdisciplinary integration.