Generational Approach to Factors Influencing Career Choice in Accounting

Abstract

This research aims to grasp which factors influence the generation Y to choose accounting as its career. A significant decline in the number of candidates willing to pursue a career as accountant has been observed abroad - USA, Australia, and Japan. However, in other countries - Brazil, Singapore, and Hong Kong - the opposite has been observed. Another issue is the decline in educational qualification of those pursuing an accounting career, contributing in a way that many talented students change their career choice. This may be explained by the fact that people tend to believe accounting is an exact science, full of calculations, boring, and not very creative, bringing an unbalance between the traits an individual should have according to the job market and those perceived by society. In order to give a contribution to literature concerning the factors that influence the generation Y in its career choice, a goal of this research was conducting an exploratory study where some hypotheses were formulated to support the discussion. We used Mannheim's Generational Theory and the literature on career choice. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire, based on Schwartz's Portrait Value Questionnaire and Germeijs and Verschueren's Student Choice Task Inventory, adapted through focus group interview. Data were fully collected online and the sample consisted of 665 subjects. The results showed that people who chose accounting as their career were influenced by factors such as creativity, independence, challenging and dynamic environment, job security, money-making, job availability, and other significant people - friends and teachers. The subjects were not influenced by social factors, such as working with people and making contributions to society and family. They wish for more autonomy, creativity, and flexibility at work, and people still care about job security and money-making.

Factors Affecting Accounting Students In Choosing Accounting Career Path

“…According to Effendy et al (2017) parents can influence their children in determining their career path choices. However, research conducted by Hsiao and Nova (2016) concluded that influence by third parties was less significant.…”

The Effect of Personality on the Intention of Undergraduate Accounting Students to be a Public Accountant

“…Considering the results of other studies in the literature, Yayla and Cengiz (2005) stated that "The most important reason I'm the choice of accounting profession is the influence of the family and environment" is the first reason after "Accounting profession is my own choice" about the students choosing accounting field, which is comparable with the results of this study. Uyar et al (2011) stated in their study that good job opportunities are the first on choosing accounting field, Ahmadi et al (1995) stated that flexibility of the job and work schedule is important for women rather than men, while Hsiao and Nova (2016), in contrast, stated that being affected by family members is minor because of the fragile relationships of new family structures. 'Advice from parents or relatives', which is regarded as the second important factor in our work outside of the participants' own decisions, differs from the work done by Hsiao and Nova (2016) on the strength of Turkish family ties.…”

“…As the result of the study, the students ranked three most important factors affecting the profession choice as flexible work schedule and work-life balance, initial salary and opportunity for advancement whereas the accounting practitioners ranked initial salary, opportunity for advancement and employer reputation and prestige. Hsiao and Nova (2016) aimed to reveal the factors affecting the Y generation's choice of accounting profession as a career. It has been found out that those who choose accounting as a profession are affected by factors such as creativity, independence, challenging and dynamic environment, job security, money-making, job availability, significant peoplefriends and teachers but not by social factors such as working with people, society and family.…”

Factors Affecting Students’ Intention To Become Professional Accountant In Selected Malaysian Universities

“…Intrinsic creates enjoyment in the task performed which come from their internal perspectives and this factor has been a significant predictor in terms of career choices (Jackling & Calero, 2006;Sugahara & Boland, 2009). Intrinsic motivation includes self-satisfaction, creativity, autonomy and dynamic environment (Hasio & Nova, 2016). Intrinsic creates pleasure and enjoyment in the task performed and exists internally within individual (Ahmad et al, 2015).…”