Factors that Affect Students’ Career Choice in Accounting: A Case of Bahir Dar University Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate factors affecting students’ career choice in accounting. The researcher was used a five point likert scale questionnaires and collected the data from 197 Bahir Dar university colleges of business and economics regular students. Order logistic regression analysis were applied to determine the impact of independent variables under each factors like intrinsic factors, extrinsic factors, perception toward accounting and other social factors on the dependent variable, career choice in accounting. Gender is also used as a control variable. Based on the regression model analysis interest to the course, ability, desire to run a business, the need for dynamic and challenging environment has a positive significant effect on students’ choice of accounting under intrinsic factor. Job opportunity, responsibility and opportunity for experience has a positive and social status has a significant negative effect on students’ choice of accounting under extrinsic factor.  Following the established rule and stress has a significant negative effect on students’ choice of accounting under the students’ perception toward accounting. Under social factor family influences has a positive significant effect on students’ choice of accounting. In addition the researcher was applied marginal effect to know the impact of each response category on the dependent variable. In general the overall finding suggests that even if students have a positive attitude for most intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors, they have also a negative image for students’ perception toward accounting profession. Therefore, all responsible bodies should have to work together to create good image of accounting into the society.

Keywords: Accounting, Career Choice, Students