ABSTRACT:

w88 link mới nhất study’s purpose is to identify w88 link mới nhất factors affecting w88 link mới nhất attitude of accounting and auditing students affect their intention towards taking w88 link mới nhất CPA examination based on w88 link mới nhất Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and w88 link mới nhất Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). By adopting quantitative research, w88 link mới nhất study applies Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in exploring w88 link mới nhất drivers of students’ intentions towards taking w88 link mới nhất CPA exam in Can Tho University and Tay Do University. w88 link mới nhất outcome reveals that career factor has positively associated with attitude. Moreover, attitude as well as support from university has a significant impact on students’ intention on taking w88 link mới nhất exam. w88 link mới nhất study finds no positive relationship between w88 link mới nhất level of risk acceptance and w88 link mới nhất intention. w88 link mới nhất study also gives further suggestion for future research to examine w88 link mới nhất change of influences on w88 link mới nhất intention of taking w88 link mới nhất CPA examination.

Keywords:Certified Public Accountants Certificate, Vietnam, Theory of Reasoned Action, Theory of Planned Behavior, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).

1. Background

It is believed that becomingCertified Public Accountants(CPA) will expose many career opportunities for accountants and auditors around w88 link mới nhất world. One of objectives of accounting and auditing strategy of Vietnam to w88 link mới nhất year 2020 is how to boost accounting and auditing services development in Vietnam and in foreign countries. That requires numbers ofCPAneed to be increased in Vietnam context these days. Therefore, w88 link mới nhất accounting profession and w88 link mới nhất educational institutions are facing with w88 link mới nhất task of teaching and encouraging them to participate w88 link mới nhất CPA exam and getting w88 link mới nhất professional certificate. While most Vietnamese students majoring in accounting and auditing lack of skills and experiences as well as information of CPA certificate that shared from educational institutions, so this seems to be a complicated task for academic institutions and policy makers.

It is obvious that little empirical evidence has been done concerning w88 link mới nhất attitude of Vietnamese students towards persuading w88 link mới nhất CPA certificate and w88 link mới nhất influence of such attitude on intending to sit for w88 link mới nhất exam. It is due to there have been no studies that explore intention of students in Vietnam to be certified public accountants and potential factors affecting w88 link mới nhất intention. However, this issue has been seriously concerned by international authors who have explored influencing factors to w88 link mới nhất intention of students in foreign nations context. Hence, these research would give better understanding for both profession and academic staff if this accounting professional certificate attract more students to take w88 link mới nhất exam in w88 link mới nhất future. Consequently, w88 link mới nhất main research aim of this study is to recognize w88 link mới nhất factors indicating w88 link mới nhất attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavior controls of students affect their perceptions towards sitting for w88 link mới nhất CPA exam. w88 link mới nhất research focuses on students who are studying accounting and auditing in Can Tho University and Tay Do University in Can Tho city in order to identify w88 link mới nhất important factors driving w88 link mới nhất intention of taking w88 link mới nhất exam.

2. Literature Review and hypotheses

2.1 Theoretical background

w88 link mới nhất Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) is proposed by Ajzen and Fishbein (1980) and w88 link mới nhất theory of planned behavior (TPB) are adopted in forming a conceptual research framework in this study. Specially, TRA is a behavior model which is well-developed and widely applied focusing on personal interest and subjective norms influencing personal behavior. While TPB has been widely adopted in examining behavior that are controlled by intentions, and in turn, there are three factors including attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavior controls affecting intentions (Churchman 2013; Coe, 2014; Hammour, 2018).

A number of previous studies have applied w88 link mới nhất framework provided by w88 link mới nhất TPB to explain students’ intension in Indonesia, Australia, w88 link mới nhất United States…. For instance, Coe (2014) shows that w88 link mới nhất TPB can signi?cantly give better understanding of w88 link mới nhất factors in?uencing accounting students’ intentions to sit for w88 link mới nhất CPA exam. As w88 link mới nhất result, he ?nds a strong relationship between students’ attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control and w88 link mới nhất intention to pursue a particular career. Hammour also (2018) indicates that TPB components including attitudes and subjective norms affect students’ intention to pursue accounting profession for their careers.

Therefore, some hypotheses below are indicated in this study:

H1: Regulations of w88 link mới nhất CPA exam in Viet Nam is positively affected with students’ attitudes towards sitting for w88 link mới nhất CPA exam.

H2: Self-efficacy is positively associated with students’ attitudes towards siting for w88 link mới nhất CPA exam

H3: Career factor is positively associated with students’ attitudes towards sitting for w88 link mới nhất CPA exam

H4: Attitudes is positively associated with students’ intention towards sitting for w88 link mới nhất CPA exam.

H5: Perception of university’s support is positively associated with students’ intention towards sitting for w88 link mới nhất CPA exam.

H6: w88 link mới nhất level of risk acceptance is positively associated with students’ intention towards sitting for w88 link mới nhất CPA exam.

2.2 Research methodology

2.2.1 Collecting data

There were 246 questionnaires collected by interviewing in w88 link mới nhất year 2019. w88 link mới nhất sample includes w88 link mới nhất students who are studying at Can Tho University and Tay Do University in Can Tho City. w88 link mới nhất questionnaire consisted of 25 items which relates to w88 link mới nhất constructs of w88 link mới nhất research model that is shown in table 1. w88 link mới nhất participants were asked to indicate their viewpoints on a five-point Likert scale basis, in which 1 stands for strongly disagree to 5 which refers to strongly agree for each item. Besides, Structural model was computed by using IBM SPSS analysis and AMOS. Two steps were involved to explore w88 link mới nhất structural model, including Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and w88 link mới nhấtStructural Equation Model(SEM). w88 link mới nhấtSEMmeasures w88 link mới nhất relationship between w88 link mới nhất factors including both observed and latent variables (Hair et al., 2009). (Fig.1).

Fig.1 w88 link mới nhất conceptual research framework

Fig.1 w88 link mới nhất conceptual research framework

3. Empirical results and discussions

3.1 Empirical results

Table 1 presents w88 link mới nhất value of Cronbach coefficients (α) of all scales in w88 link mới nhất research model. It is supported that a stricter minimum requirement for scale reliability is 0.70 but in some cases, a liberal minimum requirement of 0.60 is also accepted as well (Nunnally and Bernstein, 1994). Besides, w88 link mới nhất value of Corrected item-total correlation is required higher than 0.3 (Hair et al., 2009). Therefore, after processing reliability test, w88 link mới nhất variable EXPE3, EXPE4 of Expectation scale are eliminated to ensure w88 link mới nhất reliability level in w88 link mới nhất scale.

Table 1. w88 link mới nhất values of Cronbach’s Alpha for w88 link mới nhất constructs and w88 link mới nhất result of EFA

Table 1. w88 link mới nhất values of Cronbach’s Alpha for w88 link mới nhất constructs and w88 link mới nhất result of EFA

Table 1. w88 link mới nhất values of Cronbach’s Alpha for w88 link mới nhất constructs and w88 link mới nhất result of EFA

w88 link mới nhất results of Exploratory Factor Analyses for two sub-models by adopting Principal axis factoring with Promax Rotation are also shown in w88 link mới nhất table 1. There is a mixture of two variables including EFFI3 and EFFI4 joining in CARE construct. w88 link mới nhất reason may be explained in case of whether participants could misunderstand w88 link mới nhất questions related to their perception on self- efficacy and career attitude. Also, ATTI4 and RISK2 are eliminate because w88 link mới nhất value of factor loading of this item is lower than 0.5 (Hair et al, 2009).

* Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation modeling (SEM).

After EFA is processed, w88 link mới nhất data was computed using AMOS for w88 link mới nhất Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). In this analysis, all w88 link mới nhất 6 constructs with their 20 items were treated as latent constructs. All items in this model after using CFA have standardized regression weight of higher than 0.5 (Hair et al., 2009), 20 items remained for w88 link mới nhất SEM. As a result, w88 link mới nhất model had fit values.

This study uses w88 link mới nhất method of w88 link mới nhất maximum likelihood in SEM was employed to test w88 link mới nhất proposed research model and hypotheses. This analysis involved w88 link mới nhất model specifications between w88 link mới nhất constructs of CARE, REQU and ATTI as well as w88 link mới nhất relationship of ATTI, UNIS and INTE that based on w88 link mới nhất theoretical justifications. w88 link mới nhất model obtains more reliable relationships between exogenous constructs and inter-construct correlations (see fig.2). As w88 link mới nhất fig.2 also shows that w88 link mới nhất constructs have quite fit values of ?2 = 304.063, (df) = 159, ?2/df = 1.912 and p = 0.000, with GFI (Goodness of fit index) = 0.895, CFI (Comparative fit index) = 0.912, TLI (w88 link mới nhất Tucker-Lewis index ) = 0.895 and RMSEA (Root mean square error of approximation) = 0.061. These value suggests there is a fit model in this analysis. w88 link mới nhất significant statistics imply that w88 link mới nhất model fit is perfect in w88 link mới nhất population. Figure 2 also shows w88 link mới nhất standardized path estimates of proposed models.

Fig. 2 w88 link mới nhất result of SEM

Fig. 2 w88 link mới nhất result of SEM

Table 2: Standardized Regression Weights

Table 2: Stw88 link mới nhấtardized Regression Weightsw88 link mới nhất table 2 shows that Career factor (CARE) is found to have significant relationship with ATTI at w88 link mới nhất standardized regression weight of 0.765 (p = 0.000). This means that H3 is supported, however w88 link mới nhất model also proves that H1 and H2 are rejected due to p value is higher than 5%. w88 link mới nhất ATTI squared multiple correlation (SMC) is 0.669, indicating that w88 link mới nhất predictors of ATTI explain 66.9 percent of its variances. In w88 link mới nhất second relationship, it is assumed that both social influence and attitude have impact on intention while w88 link mới nhất level of risk acceptance is found to have no positive relationship with w88 link mới nhất intention to sit w88 link mới nhất CPA exam. Particularly, attitude towards sitting for w88 link mới nhất CPA exam has a positive relationship with intention at w88 link mới nhất standardized regression weight of 0.609 and w88 link mới nhất support from university also influence positively on intention at w88 link mới nhất standardized regression weight of 0.418. As a result, it indicates that H4 and H5 are supported and there is 51.5 percent of variances explained while H6 is rejected.

3.2 Discussions

w88 link mới nhất relationships of attitude, subjective norms and intention towards sitting for w88 link mới nhất CPA exam are found in this study which is going to extend w88 link mới nhất current literature in Vietnam context. Firstly, w88 link mới nhất study indicates career factor has a significant impact on attitude towards participating in w88 link mới nhất CPA exam while there is no significant association among CPA exam regulations, self-efficacy and attitude. It is obvious that person who have a strong responsibility and their strong capacity with their choice of career, he or she will have a positive attitude towards w88 link mới nhất professional certificate. Follow that, attitude affect their intention towards sitting for w88 link mới nhất exam. This result is in line with Coe’s study (2014) that indicated students’ career viewpoint affects their intention. It is also consistent with w88 link mới nhất previous studies in confirmation of a positive relationship between w88 link mới nhất attitude and w88 link mới nhất intention (Churchman, 2013; Wen et al., 2015; Hammour, 2018). Besides, this study’s finding indicates there is no considerable impact of Vietnamese CPA exam regulations on students’ attitude. w88 link mới nhất reason for that can be explained by w88 link mới nhất Vietnamese regulations related to w88 link mới nhất CPA exam seems to be difficult in students’ belief in this sample. Moreover, w88 link mới nhất study explores a positive relationship in which w88 link mới nhất intension could be influenced by subjective norms that supporting from university construct used in this research. In fact, students who receive more useful instruction and strong encouragement from their lecturers at academic institutions have a higher attitude for accounting professional certificate. Thus, they are more likely to have more motivation to participate in w88 link mới nhất exam and towards decision to take w88 link mới nhất exam. w88 link mới nhất result is consistent with w88 link mới nhất other studies such as Solikhah (2014), Coe (2014).  As w88 link mới nhất result, w88 link mới nhất outcomes support for w88 link mới nhất application of TRA and TPB and that relationship was also proved by Churchman (2013), Coe (2014), Wen et al., (2015), Hammour (2018).

However, this study fails to find evidence for supporting w88 link mới nhất relationship between perceived behavioral controls which is reflected as w88 link mới nhất level of risk acceptance construct and intention to enter w88 link mới nhất exam. It can be explained that students who are second -year students and third-year students think that it is too early to think about w88 link mới nhất CPA exam. Therefore, accepting to receive bad results may have no effect on their intention. This is w88 link mới nhất same with Hammour’s study (2018) in indicating that there is no relationship between perceived behavior controls and intention.

4. Conclusions

w88 link mới nhất empirical study explores w88 link mới nhất factors influencing attitude and intention of accounting and auditing students to sit for w88 link mới nhất CPA exam. Overall, w88 link mới nhất relationship between career factor and attitude, among attitude, university’s support and intention towards taking part in w88 link mới nhất exam are recognized. Predominantly, w88 link mới nhất research highlights w88 link mới nhất positive relationship between attitude towards behavior, subjective norms, particularly, support from university and intention to participate in w88 link mới nhất exam have a significant relationship. More importantly, w88 link mới nhất study supports for w88 link mới nhất importance of w88 link mới nhất application of TRA and TPB which are sufficient for investigation of personal behavior. This study’s findings can contribute to w88 link mới nhất literature of examining of students’ behavior towards professional certificate in Vietnam. Overall, w88 link mới nhất study brings valuable outcomes for validation some significant factors affecting on students’ intention to sit for w88 link mới nhất exam and towards decision to take w88 link mới nhất exam in w88 link mới nhất future. However, there is also limitation arising from this study. For example, w88 link mới nhất study has used small sample size students from Tay Do University. Particularly, w88 link mới nhất sample consists of a majority of students of Can Tho university and not focusing on other students from other universities in Can Tho City and other cities in Viet Nam, and accountants and auditing assistants as well. Therefore, further studies need to be done with larger sample size of students, accountants and auditing assistances to explore significant factors affecting w88 link mới nhất intention of participating in w88 link mới nhất CPA exam.

REFERENCES:

  1. Churchman, R. J. (2013). Attracting w88 link mới nhất best and brightest: An examination of w88 link mới nhất factors that influence students’ intent to enter w88 link mới nhất accounting profession. (Order No. 3579633, Anderson University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 127.
  2. Coe, M., (2014). Factors That Influence a Student's Intention to Sit for w88 link mới nhất CPA Exam. Western Illinois University.
  3. Hair, J.F et al., 2009. Multilvariate data analysis, Englewood Cliffs, Prentice-Hall International.
  4. Hammour, H., (2018). Influence of w88 link mới nhất attitudes of Emirati students on their choice of accounting as a profession. Accounting Education, 27(4): 433-451, DOI: 10.1080/09639284.2018.1490913.
  5. Nunnally, J.C. and Bernstein, I.H. (1994). Psychometric Theory. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  6. Solikhah, B., (2014). An application of theory of planned behavior towards CPA career in Indonesia. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 164: 397 – 402.
  7. Wen, L., Hao, Q., & Bu, D., (2015). Understanding w88 link mới nhất Intentions of Accounting Students in China to Pursue Certified Public Accountant Designation. Accounting Education, 24(4): 341-359, DOI: 10.1080/09639284.2015.1051561.

KHẢO SÁT Ý ĐỊNH CỦA SINH VIÊN ĐỐI VỚI VIỆC THAM GIA KỲ THI KẾ TOÁN VIÊN, KIỂM TOÁN VIÊN TẠI VIỆT NAM

ThS.NGUYỄN THÚY AN

Khoa Kinh tế, Trường Đại học Cần Thơ

TÓM TẮT:

Mục tiêu của nghiên cứu này nhằm xác định các nhân tố liên quan đến thái độ, tiêu chuẩn chủ quan và kiểm soát hành vi nhận thức của sinh viên ngành Kế toán và Kiểm toán tác động đến dự định của họ đối với việc dự thi lấy chứng chỉ kế toán viên và kiểm toán Việt Nam dựa trên lý thuyết hành vi hợp lý và thuyết dự định hành vi. Bằng việc áp dụng phân tích nhân tố khám phá, phân tích nhân tố khẳng định và mô hình cấu trúc tuyến tính để xác định các nhân tố ảnh hưởng đến dự định hành vi của nhóm sinh viên Trường Đại học Cần Thơ và Trường Đại học Tây Đô của thành phố Cần Thơ. Kết quả cho thấy, yếu tố nghề nghiệp có tác động tích cực tới thái độ của việc dự thi; nhân tố thái độ và sự hỗ trợ từ Trường Đại học có ảnh hưởng tích cực đến dự định dự thi của sinh viên. Ngoài ra, nghiên cứu không tìm thấy được mối quan hệ giữa mức độ chấp nhận rủi ro và dự định hành vi dự thi. Tác giả cũng đề nghị hướng nghiên cứu tiếp theo để đánh giá sự thay đổi của các nhân tố tác động đến dự định này.

Từ khóa:Chứng chỉ kế toán viên và kiểm toán viên Việt Nam, lý thuyết hành vi hợp lý, lý thuyết dự định hành vi, mô hình hồi quy cấu trúc.