No abstract

Many non-profit organizations (NPOs) are facing funding cuts and reduction in voluntary donations during the current economic environment. In ensuring the sustainability of these organizations, the Malaysian government is currently promoting collaborative efforts between the government, social organisations and the private sector in providing social services. The potential advantages of such collaborations include, the risks of providing social services are shared between the government, social organizations and the private sector, build positive perceptions of government as enabler for social organizations, capitalise on social organizations' collective skills, enthusiasm and innovation in providing social services. However, the current reporting requirement for NPOs in Malaysia may give rise to information asymmetry that can hinder such efforts. Hence, this study aims to examine the current reporting practices of NPOs in Malaysia. Based on content analysis of annual reports of 205 NPOs registered with Registry of Societies for the financial year 2011, this study finds that the overall information reported by the NPOs is relatively weak. NPOs also disclosed relatively high non-financial information as compared to the financial information. Hence, there is a need for more comprehensive reporting guidelines for the NPOs that can facilitate the decision-making needs of the relevant stakeholders.

Accounting is important for a business of any sizes to keep well-organized and up-to-date accounting records for their daily transactions. It helps businesses to plan and manage financial matters more effectively. However, most of the small business owners do not keep proper books of accounts since there is no legal obligation to do that. Moreover, they also perceive accounting as a very difficult process due to its technical difficulties. Thus, it is quite hard for the small business owners to monitor the financial status/growth and also obtaining financial assistance from third parties. Hence, this study examines the extent of accounting literacy which focuses on accounting records and financial management among small business owners in Jasin district. 51 small business owners responded to the questionnaire distributed. Findings of this study revealed that, in terms of accounting records, majority of the small business owners do not have proper record keeping and do not concern on separation of business and personal transactions. Besides, almost 70% of them did not maintain any financial reports for the business. In terms of financial management, most of the owners use selffinancing in running the business since they are worried they cannot afford the loan commitments. Apart from that, it might be difficult for them to apply for a loan due to no proper business record and financial reports prepared for the business. These results indicate that accounting literacy is still very weak among the small business owners in Jasin district.

Economic Transformation Plan (ETP) emphasizes that the country has a pool of resources to steer towards Malaysia's aspirations to become a developed and high-income nation. The ETP Roadmap highlights accountancy, an integral function in all businesses as part of the significant ETP driver. However, Malaysia still lacks the required number of qualified accountants by the year 2020. This challenges higher learning institutions to produce suitable accounting graduates. Despite taking an accounting subject in schools, not all these students later opt to enrol accounting in higher learning institutions as many factors influence their career choices. This study aims to explore these motivating factors. A quantitative approach was applied whereby primary data were collected through a questionnaire survey. Respondents were students from seven elite schools in Melaka. The study found eight motivating factors; family members in the accounting profession, public accountant as a career choice, students' interest in receiving relevant information, choosing private accountants as a career, parents, school counsellor and career talk. However, only four of these factors were significant to students' decisions to pursue professional accounting courses. In addition, parents' influence plays a greater role in motivating students to opt for professional accounting courses as compared to an accounting degree.

Accounting is perceived as a complicated process due to its technical difficulties. However, accounting knowledge is undeniable essential to complete a business plan. The ‘Simplified Accounting Template for Apprentice’ (SATA) is developed to facilitate students especially non-accounting students who have very little accounting knowledge in preparing proforma financial statements at the financial section in the business plan. SATA act as integral part of technology used in accounting education to improve students’ understanding on accounting and help them to complete the business plan. The objective of this paper is to access the level of students’ understanding on accounting with the introduction of SATA in teaching and learning which finally can assist them to prepare financial statements. A hands-on workshop was conducted by accounting lecturers in UiTM Malacca Branch Jasin Campus on SATA to assist the students in completing the business plan for financial section. A questionnaire was given at the end of the workshop to the students to gather their feedback related on SATA and give their perceptions using SATA in preparing financial statements. This study found that more than 80% respondents admitted that SATA improved their understanding on accounting terms such as terms of non-current assets, non-current liabilities, sales, purchases, 85% agreed that SATA took lesser time to prepare financial statements, 90% found that SATA was very easy to use as compared to manually prepared the financial statements and facilitates in analyzing financial performance and 91% agreed that SATA really help them in completing their business plan particularly in financial section. On overall most of respondents admitted that SATA increase their understanding in preparing financial statements. This study also revealed that most of the respondents understand the component of Statement of Profit or Loss and Statement of Financial Position embedded in SATA.