Accounting Knowledge as a Contributing Intention on Improving Public Accounting Profession

Abstract

Public accountant profile dominated by over-50-year-old people appears to be alarming. The intention towards this profession had better be fostered immediately; therefore, the predictors to boost the intention need to be known. The study examines the influence of accounting knowledge toward the intention to work as public accountant using the Theory of Planned Behavior approach. A survey of 146 students revealed that there was a significantly positive influence of accounting knowledge toward the intention of becoming public accountant, both directly and indirectly, through the mediation of attitudes and perceived behavioral control. Subjective norms did not function as an appropriate mediation. The findings are expected to contribute to universities and professional accounting bodies. The study urges the accounting educators to redesign and reorganize the curriculum, including a more interesting teaching and learning methods. The professional accounting bodies are expected to cooperate with accounting educators in enhancing the internship program and providing real-case study to instill a positive attitude and assurance toward the students' competence, which, in the end, might spark the intention to work as public accountant. That accounting knowledge positively influences the intention toward public accounting profession through the mediation of perceived behavioral control was statistically supported.