Reflections of Turkish accounting and financial reporting standards on vocational school students: A research on comparing perceptions of intermediate and mid-level accounting professional candidates

Hakan Seldüz,Emine Seldüz,H Çalişkan,Ş Beşoluk,I Önder,E Masal

doi:10.1051/shsconf/20162601003

Abstract

This research aims to compare the perceptions of intermediate and mid-level accounting professional candidates on accounting and financial reporting standards. A significant part of accounting process is carried out by vocational school graduate intermediate and mid-level accounting professionals. However, it can be claimed that adequate education about accounting and financial reporting standards isn’t given in vocational schools although these standards structure the whole accounting process. A survey is conducted over students of the related vocational school in Aksaray University. The results indicate no significant difference on students’ perceptions in terms of their school year, high school type, job or internship experience and intention to perform the profession after graduation. These results can be traced to inadequacy of present curriculums and internship programs which can’t create a difference. Based on the results, the content of internship applications is rearranged and an optional subject named as “Accounting and Reporting Standards” is established.

Highlights

This research aims to compare the perceptions of intermediate and mid-level accounting professional candidates on accounting and financial reporting standards
In 2002, International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) compromised on eliminating differences and incompatibilities with Norwalk Agreement; International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) accepted International Accounting Standards (IAS); the need for single standards set is emphasized at 16th World Congress of Accountants and European Union (EU) Parliament legislated member countries to act according to IAS/International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from 2005
The problem of this research is set as “Do intermediate and mid-level accounting professional candidates’ perceptions on accounting and financial reporting standards differ in terms of school year, high school type, job or internship experience and intention to perform the profession after graduation; or not?” In accordance with the problem, the main objective is to compare vocational school students’ perceptions in terms of school year, high school type, job or internship experience and intention to perform the profession after graduation

Summary

Introduction

This research aims to compare the perceptions of intermediate and mid-level accounting professional candidates on accounting and financial reporting standards. Most of public and private universities in Turkey provide a two-year accounting education by vocational school programs named as “Accounting” or “Accounting and Taxation Applications” When their curriculums and syllabuses are considered closely, it is seen that there are many compulsory and optional subjects including enough information about regulations, generally accepted accounting principles, basic accounting concepts and accounting applications. It can be claimed that there are either no or just a little and superficial information is given in those courses about accounting and reporting standards which shape and structure the whole accounting procedures, processes and daily practices This is identified as a shortcoming in vocational schools’ related programs and it can be suggested that this shortcoming affects the students’ perception on accounting and financial reporting standards; their contents, importance and necessity. By the end of 2006 IAS/IFRS had been obligatory in 69, proposed to oblige in 5, given permission for voluntary implementation in 21 and forbidden in 36 countries in the world [2, 1, 18, 17, 20, 3, 6, 7, 8]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion