Do Graduates and Accounting Students want Careers In Auditing: What Specific Factors Influence their Choices of Career? (Published)
Through thorough investigation into the current declining trend in the number of the accounting graduates, this study intends to explore factors influencing career choices. As students completion fall by 8% between 2021 and 2022 academic year according Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA), “more than 300,000 U.S.–accountants and auditors left their jobs in–the past two years—a 17 percent decline in employed accountants and auditors from a 2019 peak,” accordingto–The Wall Street Journal in a December 2022 article.The above makes this study ask a fundamental question what factors influence graduates’ and accounting students career choices as review of literature suggests that this global challenging trend is a result of multi-faceted factors. This study investigates the decline in graduates and accounting students in the auditing profession.Its objectives are to understand the perception of the relevance of auditing profession from the lens of graduates and accounting students. The role formal education is playing in preparing the accounting graduates and shaping their attitudes toward audit career. In addition, to know their perception of 36 months mandatory practical training and internship experience. Consequently, aims to inform recruitment strategies, educational programs, and industry diversity initiatives. Using qualitative inquiry and online surveys, it explores factors influencing career choices. By gathering data from universities and professional students, it addresses gaps in knowledge.Findings reveal the pivotal role of education and practical training, along with challenges like examination pressure. Gender dynamics and role modeling influence perceptions, while workplace ambience affects interest levels. Overall, the study provides insights for practitioners, educators, and policymakers, emphasizing the need to address challenges in auditing careers. Interpreting the findings in alignment with the research questionand objectives elucidates the complex influences on career choices in auditing. The pivotal role of education and practical training resonates with Human Capital Theory, shaping individuals’ decisions. However, challenges like exam pressure and financial constraints underscore the practical realities faced during training. Gender disparities in perception and preference highlight potential biases within the industry, while role modeling emerges as a positive influencer. Ambience considerations emphasize the importance of workplace environment, particularly in gender dynamics. Unexpected findings, such as the mix of positive and negative perceptions, underscore the need for nuanced interventions to address challenges and enhance career satisfaction. In summary, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of factors influencing career choices in auditing. Future research could delve deeper into specific interventions to address challenges like work-life balance and gender disparities, enhancing career satisfaction and retention in the auditing profession.
Keywords: Career Choices, Education, Practical Training, Role Modeling, auditing profession, career satisfaction, diversity initiatives, gender dynamics, recruitment strategies, workplace ambience