The Professional Ethics Exam and Acts Discreditable: An Introductory Assignment

ABSTRACT This practice-oriented assignment familiarizes accounting students with their states' professional ethics exam and illustrates the disciplinary proceedings process resulting from failed ethics. Part I of the assignment requires students to research their states' professional ethics exam requirements. Part II of the assignment asks students to select current disciplinary actions, review the affiliated disciplinary proceedings, apply relevant sections of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, and evaluate the appropriateness of the consequences. Survey responses from 322 accounting students suggest that prior to this assignment most students are unaware of an ethics requirement for initial CPA licensure. Students perceive that the assignment effectively exposes them to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and violations experienced by practicing CPAs. The majority of students surveyed believe the assignment is valuable, interesting, enjoyable, and improves their understanding of “ethics in practice.”

Influence of Selected Factors on CPA Licensure Examination Results

The researcher looked into the factors that affected the performance of Rizal Technological University CPA board examinees on the 2012 licensure examinations to determine the intervention necessary to improve the university’s review programs. Descriptive research design was used wherein twenty-four Bachelor of Science in Accountancy graduates who took the May and October 2012 board examinations were surveyed using a validated researcher-made questionnaire. Documentary analysis was used for evaluating qualitative data. Results revealed that: student factors (interest in the accounting program, time spent for studying lessons and availing of library/internet resources in research activities) and home/family factors (family financial support, parental involvement in studies, motivation and encouragement) highly influence performance; school factors (adequacy of relevant library books and materials, adequacy of technology hardware and software, good accounting program and good accounting faculty) were perceived to have average influence; and scholarships, grade weighted averages and attendance to review courses handled by prestigious review schools were found to be positive factors in passing the board examinations. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that the regular assessment through qualifying examinations be conducted and that the pre-board/mock examinations in the review classes be strengthened.

Academic Performance, Aspirations, Attitudes And Study Habits As Determinants Of The Performance In Licensure Examination Of Accountancy Graduates

The graduates it produces often determine the quality of education offered by an institution. In like manner, the quality of graduates produced by an institution is measured by their performance in licensure examinations. The study determined the level of student’s academic performance, aspirations, attitudes towards accounting and study habits. It also determined the performance of the graduates in the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure examination, as well as the relationship of the academic performance, aspirations, attitudes towards accounting and study habits and the performance in the licensure examination. One hundred twenty-four (124) respondents were considered in the study which utilized the descriptive-correlational method. A survey questionnaire determined the level of academic performance, aspirations, attitudes and study habits. Official results of the CPA Licensure Examination were retrieved from the Professional Regulation Commission. The study employed frequency counts, weighted means, ranking and regression analysis as statistical tools. The respondents had good academic performance, a high level of aspiration, a favorable attitude towards Accounting and good study habits. Performance of graduates is above the national passing percentage, though, graduates do not make it in the first attempt. Graduates performed best in the Theory of Accounts while the weakest performance is in Practical Accounting I. Academic performance, attitudes towards accounting and study habits are significantly related to the performance in the examination while the level of aspirations was not related. The study recommended the emphasis of students’ persistence to work toward their goals, study habits and passion in accounting in admitting prospective students. Regular assessment through a qualifying examination is also recommended to improve performance.

Accounting Education In Crisis

Almost on a daily basis new accounting rules and laws are put into use, creating information that must be known and learned by the accounting faculty and then introduced to and understood by the accounting student. Even with the 150 hours of education now required for CPA licensure, it is impossible to teach and learn all there is to learn. Over the years, changes have been recommended and some adopted into the accounting curriculum; however, the crisis of information overload continues in accounting education.

Occupational Licensure In The Accounting Profession Effects Of Public Regulation On Accountants Earnings

This paper examines the effects of CPA licensure requirements on earnings in the accounting profession. Using micro data from the U.S. Census, we estimate a model of individual earnings in which explicit controls are included for occupational requirements in the accountants state of residence. Two findings are noteworthy. First, states which require additional credit hours beyond the four-year degree appear to be characterized by higher earnings. Second, states which do not have experience requirements are associated with lower earnings. The subject appears fruitful for further research.