The use of biodata in the pre-selection of fully-accredited graduates for chartered accountancy training places in Scotland

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to critically evaluate whether biodata could be used as a valid tool in the preselection process of trainee chartered accountants. Biographical details of recently qualified accountants, who trained within the whole spectrum of ICAS training offices, were collected from a self-completion questionnaire. The data collected were used to develop statistical models predicting the ability to pass the ICAS examinations at the first attempt. The validity of the developed models for use within the Scottish chartered accountancy profession was then evaluated. A rational approach was adopted through the formulation of a conceptual framework. General background areas were hypothesised to be relevant in the determination of ICAS examination success, and within these general areas specific factors were highlighted and entered into a logistic regression model using data from trainees who qualified in the years 1993–94. Statistically significant models were developed for fully-accredited honours (n= 149) and ordinary graduates (n = 225) and these models continued to retain their validity when applied to trainees who qualified in 1995 as demonstrated by the reported tetrachoric correlation coefficients (honours graduates, 0.48, and ordinary graduates, 0.42). This paper has therefore identified that a rationally derived model based on biographical information can be used to differentiate between fully accredited trainees who pass their examinations at the first attempt and those who experience failure. This work calls into question many of the current pre-selection practices used by the training providers and provides training principals who employ fully-accredited graduates to undertake ICAS training with a useful pre-selection tool.