Thesis New Encoded-finaL!

AN ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BACHELOR

OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTANCY GRADUATES OF PATRIA SABLE CORPUS COLLEGE IN

THE CPA LICENSURE EXAMINATION FROM THE YEAR 2004-2010

In Partial fulfillment

Of the requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy

By:

Baguindoc, Ivy

Dayag, Lovely Jane

Orje, Mary Chris

Palungya, Jeffroy

Poblete, Janine

Rinion, Lhorie Mhaie

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Choosing Accountancy as your career path means that you dream to be a Certified Public

Accountant (CPA). CPA is a statutory title of qualified accountants who have passed the licensure

examination. Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination, given by the Board of Accountancy

(BOA) through the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC), is to assess and equip graduates to meet

the competencies required in the real world of work, either here in the Philippines or abroad. Passing the

examination has the assurance of good quality services that is to be rendered to the stakeholders.

According to American Institute of Certified Public Accountant (AICPA), All CPAs are

accountants but not all accountants are CPAs. In many states, anyone can call himself or herself “an

accountant”. In order to become a CPA almost all states require that an individual meet educational

requirements and pass the Uniform CPA Examination. Only then are individuals granted license to

practice by state of boards of accountancy.

The CPA examination covers the following eight subjects: theory of accounts, auditing theory,

business law and taxation, practical accounting 1 and 2, management advisory services, and auditing

problems.

Before taking the BS Accountancy course, you should really make sure you want to become a

CPA. CPA licensure examination is one of the most popular licensure examinations here in the

Philippines. This examination is not easy to pass. In addition the researchers observed the results of the

said examination, there are many who took it but few only got the title. In this connection the Patria Sable

Corpus College (PSCC) experiencing the same phenomenon, most of the time there is a decline in the

passing rate of PSCC BS Accountancy graduates in the CPA Licensure Examination. Through this result,

the public make prejudgment wherein some did not consider other factors. Some will criticize the

performance and capabilities of individuals. This kind of phenomena is inevitable. That is why the

researchers have conducted this study, which aims to know the factors affecting the performance of PSCC

BS Accountancy graduates in the CPA licensure Examination.

This study may help the institution to improve its accountancy program to its totality and may

serve as a guide to the public in making judgment.

Conceptual Framework

Kozlowski and colleagues’ (Kozlowski et al. 1999) theory of compilation and performance

describes inputs, process, and outcomes that develop over time as teams interact in contexts that are both

external environments of the team and are shaped by actions of the teams in reciprocal casual fashion.

Ilgen et al, Input-Process-Output (IPO) framewoerks limits research by implying a single cycle

linear path from inputs through outcomes, even though the authors of the classic works clearly stipulated

the potential for feedback loops, and some (e.g, Hackman 1987, McGranth et al.2000) explicitly

recognized limits of I-P-O thinking. IPO framework tends to suggest a linear progression of main effect

influences proceeding from one category (I, P, or O) to the text.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Respondents’ profile:

Age

Gender

Status

Factors:

1. Academic

performance in

college

2. Financial

3. Social

4. Environmental

5. Spiritual

Evaluate the factors

that affect the

performance of the

PSCC BSA graduates

in the CPA licensure

examination through

conducting survey,

interview and

questionnaire.

Improved the

performance of PSCC

BS Accountancy

Graduates in the CPA

licensure examination

Increase the passing

rate of CPA passers of

PSCC.

Feedback

The input would be the profile of the examinees from the year 2004 to 2010. The processes to be

used in collecting data are through conducting surveys, interviews, and questionnaires. After gathering

data, this would be tabulated, computed, analyzed, and interpreted. And the expected output would be the

improvement of the performance of PSCC-BSA graduates in the CPA licensure examination.

Statement of the Problem

The main purpose of this study is to determine the factors affecting the performance of Patria

Sable Corpus College Bachelor of Science in Accountancy graduates in the Certified Public Accountant

licensure examination.

This study addresses the following concerns:

1. What is the respondents profile in terms of:

a. Age

b. Gender

c. Status

d. Year Graduated

2. What are the factors affecting the performance of PSCC-BSA graduates in the CPA Licensure

Examination?

3. To what extent do these factors affect the performance of the PSCC-BSA graduates in the CPA

Licensure Examination?

4. What are the problems encountered in taking the CPA Licensure Examination?

5. How will these problems be addressed?

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study focuses only on the analysis of the factors affecting the performance of PSCC BS

Accountancy graduates in the CPA Licensure Examination. It consists of the factors that would serve as a

guide for the preparation of the said examination.

The researchers’ respondents would only be the PSCC Accountancy Examinees from the year

2004-2010.

Significance of the Study

The importance of this study does not focus only on the beneficial side of the researchers but also

to the following:

Institution

This study is considered remarkable because through these, the institution will be awakened and

aware in what is actually happening in the result of CPA Licensure Examination and to have an evolution

of a better plan for the Accountancy Department.

Takers

The result of this study will help the examinees to prepare themselves in the actual examination

and to depart themselves into the prejudgment of people after the result has been published.

Accountancy Students

This study will serve as a guide and motivational force to the Accountancy students to move on

and to pursue in the next level of their chosen career.

Parents

This study serves as an inspiration and encouragement for the parents to support their children

morally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually.

Public

This study will be beneficial to the public to be able for everyone to minimize false perception and

to avoid prejudgment to the examinees, because they have their own reasons why they passed or failed in

the said examination.

Researchers

The completion of this study gives personal satisfaction among the researchers because this will

serves as an accomplishment.

Future Researchers

This research study will enable future researchers to use it as a source of reference and an

additional research material for those who will attempt to pursue the same line of study in the future.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined for deeper understanding of the content of this study:

Affect – To act upon or influence, especially in an adverse way. (Source: Random House Dictionary,

2012)

Analysis – The separation of an intellectual or material whole into its constituent parts for an individual

study. (http://www.thefreedictionary.com)

CareerPath – It refers to a course that will define the future career. A career path refers to the careers

available to you after you complete certain studies and entry-level jobs within a company.

(http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_career_path#ixzz1spkSROjR)

CertifiedPublicAccountant – An accountant certified by the state examining board as having fulfilled the

requirements of a state law to be a public accountant. (Random House Dictionary, 2012)

CPALicensureExamination–It is a standardized test given as a part of the licensing process for

professional Certified Public Accountant. (http:topics.wisegeek.com/topics/cpa-examination.htm#)

Factors – One of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation. (Random House Dictionary,

2012)

Fail – To declare unsuccessful in a test. (Random House Dictionary, 2012)

Graduate – One who has received an academic degree or diploma. (http://www.thefreedictionary.com)

Goal – One that you want to achieve. (Source: Collins English Dictionary 2009)

Inevitable – It refers to an unavoidable event. (Source: 1400-50; Late Middle English)

Pass – To gain an adequate or required mark or rating. (Source: Random House Dictionary, 2012)

Performance – The execution or accomplishment of work. (Source: Random House Dictionary, 2012)

Prejudgment – A judgment reached before the evidence is available. (Source: Collins English Dictionary

2009)

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_career_path#ixzz1spkSROjR

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

Stakeholder – A person or a group not owning interest in an enterprise but affected by or having an

interest in its operations.

Taker – A person who take the CPA licensure examination. (Source: Random House Dictionary, 2012)

Totality – It refers to an entirety. (Source: Random House Dictionary, 2012)

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES AND STUDIES

This chapter consists of several related foreign and local literatures and studies that have a

substantial relation to the present study.

Related Literatures

Foreign

The path to licensure in public accounting is likely to be more indirect than that of the other field.

This is because most accounting program do not just focus training Certified Public Accountants (CPA’s).

Instead, they offer training in management accounting, corporate accounting, internal auditing non-profit

and government accounting and related fields.

There is no shortcut in passing the Board Licensure Examination, you must try to live with it and

overcome it. According to Howitzer (2009), the Board Licensure Examination is not an easy picking so as

to speak; he endured a lot of difficulties and lots of time reviewing in order to overcome it. There are a lot

of factors to consider in order to perform in the examination with your optimum best. Some of his time

tested tips were; choose the right review center, pile up stock knowledge, do not be pressure with the

expectations of the people, and know the trend and motivate yourself.

In this article, Howitzer stated that there are factors to consider that affects one’s performance in

licensure examination. In connection, the present study focuses on the citation of factors that may or may

not affect the performance of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy graduates of PSCC in the CPA


One-step taken by many states to improve passing rates and the general competence of newly

licensed CPAs is to require that candidates for the CPA complete at least 150 semester credit hours, at

least 30 which must had taken in accounting, before they can be licensed. North Carolina had

implemented this requirement in 2001. Given the move nationally and within North Carolina to this new

standard, passing scores reported in this article are limited to students who either have complemented and

advanced degree or have completed the 150-hours by the time they sit for CPA exam. Analyzing the

passing rates on this group, there is greater likelihood that will reflect the performance of students who

have completed a minimally cohesive CPA training program. According to Palm Beach Community

College (PBCC, 2008) they recommend that students should have at least 3-hours out of class for every

hours spent in class. They also said that a student must have a special place to study with plenty room to

work, and students would not be cramped they presuppose that study time will go better if a learner takes

few minutes at the start of the straightened things up. A desk straight backed chair is usually best. “Don’t

get to comfortable-a bed is the place to sleep not to study” a s what they said. A student must have

everything close at hand (book, pencils, paper, coffee, dictionary, computer, calculator, tape recorder, etc.)

before starting to study. Students are also that distracting noise should be minimized however they said

that there are some people need sound and some like silence. In this case, a learner must find what works

for him or her. CULPRITS are family and friends. Consider a “do not disturb” sign and turning on your

answering machine is the way also to have better study habits according to PBCC. Study habits are said to

be improving because of the advent and wide use of the internet, hypertext, and multimedia resources

which greatly affect the Study Habits (Liu, 2005). Liu (2005) and Ramirez (2003) report that student’s

prints material from internet in order to study and read later on.

The article above deals with the study habits of a student. In relation with the present study, study

habits may affect the performance of the PSCC BS Accountancy graduates in CPA Licensure

Examination.

Igun (2005) also found that Nigerians study from materials download from the internet. Reading is

an attempt to absorb the thought of the author and know what the author is conveying Leedy (1956).

Studying is the interpretation of reading materials. Study habits and skills are particularly important to

college students, whose needs include time management, note taking, internet skills, the elimination of

distractions, and assigning a high priority to study. Karim and Hassan (2006) also note the exponential

growth digital information, which changes the way students perceive studying and with printed materials

that are to be use in facilitating study.

Aspiring CPA’s must be updated with the study articles that they may adopt and exercise to have a

better performance. Study habits and place to study may affect performance of takers in the CPA licensure

examination. The cited literatures states their own factors considered in order to perform in licensure

examination and it has a relation in the present study wherein this may improve the performance of BSA

PSCC graduates in the CPA licensure examination.

Educational administrators, professionals and examiners have always assumed the association

between a high quality accounting curriculum and performance on professional exams. This is evident in

the standards of a separate accreditation for accounting program as prompted by Associations to Advance

Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in 1990. Standard 37 of the AACSB makes clear that a high-

quality program is one that prepares students to serve those needs of society that are met by the disciple

(AACSB 2007).

The said article emphasizes that having high quality accountancy program can prepare the students

to get into the home of CPA’s. This factor may be included in the present study in which it can be

contribute to either improvement of accountancy program for the preparation of future CPAs.

According to the publisher of ALL Business.Com, the different “sides” of the profession typically

taken to be educator and practitioner communities have been at odds concerning what accounting students

should know, what educators should teach, and whether accounting graduates are adequately prepared for

the business world. The CPA Journal editors convened a forum “Preparing Future Accountants

Professionals”, moderated by Editor-in- Chief Mary-Jo Kranacher, in November 2007 to bring individuals

representing all areas of the profession together to discuss these issues.

The cited literatures are directly related with the present study because it focuses on the predictors

of success in the different national licensure examination as a whole. The only difference is that, the

present study focuses on the factor that affects the performance of PSCC BSA graduates in the CPA


B. Local

The Philippine Board examinations are some of the few enduring and difficult professionals

examinations; both in terms of coverage and depth of the testing one’s knowledge of technical concepts

and applications. It has been considered as one of the most difficult exam in the history of the Philippines

career professionalism.

Under the “Academic Affairs” of the University of Cordillera-Baguio City, Philippines, Bachelor

of Science in Accountancy (BSA) curriculum adopts CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 3 Series of

2007, which is based on International Education Standards aimed to equip students to meet the

competencies required in the workplace whether in country or abroad. It is an 11 trimester course

(3yeeears plus 2semesters) which is equivalent to a 5 year course in semestral setting. The program

prepares students to be liberally educated accountants who can think and write clearly, effectively and

critically. It also prepares them to become total business advisors, who are knowledgeable with business

structures and economic concepts; and trains them to be ethically and technically competent in the field of

accounting and auditing. A BSA graduate can pursue a career in any of the four (4) major fields of

accountancy. The graduate can be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Public Practitioner, who chooses

to be an auditor, tax, or management consultant. Second, the graduate may join commenced and industry

as comptroller, internal auditor, financial accounting, and reporting staff within the Accounting

Department of a business enterprise. Third, the graduate may choose to join the government as an

accountant, auditor, or financial analyst in different government agencies like the COA, BIR, GSIS, AFP,

and the like. A graduate may join the education sector as a member of the College of Accountancy. A

graduate of BS Accountancy is eligible to take the Certified Public Accountants Licensure Examination.

This article saying that 5 years course in a semestral setting can prepare a student in his or her

success in the CPA licensure examination as well as in the workplace. In connection with the present

study, this setting can be considered as a factor that may affect the performance of PSCC BSA graduates

in the CPA licensure examination.

Passing the CPA Board Exams takes a lot of preparation. It is not enough that you review on your

own or that you take sporadic lessons when time permits. If you truly want to be CPA, you need to keep

your focus on your goal and determine to do everything possible to pass all the tests required in order to

become a Certified Public Accountant.

The article above tells that there are factors that may affect ones’ success. In connection with the

present study, the researchers will cite factors that may affect the performance of the examinees in the

CPA Licensure Examination.

The literatures above dealt with the factors on how to improve or effective ways on how to pass

the different licensure examination. In relation with the present study, the researchers will use different

factors stated above and will determine if the said factors have a great effect in the success in the

graduates.

RELATED STUDIES

A. Foreign

Accounting research investigating CPA exams are divided into those directed towards

investigating the consequences of the exam or its process and those directed towards factors

affecting performance on the exam. One of the most popular accounting professional exams that

were the subject for relevant number of research is the American Certified Public Accountant

(CPA) exam. In the line of research investigating policies and regulations environment of the CPA

exam, the 150-hr requirement received significant number of research. The positive impact of the

150-hr requirement was suggested by the data presented by the National Association of State

Boards of Accountancy (NABA; 1986-1996, 1997-2004). These publications show that the success

of first-time test takers increases in state adopting the 30-hr post-baccalaureate requirement.

Further, Jackson (2006) supports that by affirming that the newly required post-

baccalaureate education has significantly improved applicants’ performance on the CPA exam.

Other research concerns the impact of the 150-hr requirements on minority groups and women to

pursue CPA exam.

Bierstaker et al. (2004) provides that the 150-credit-hour requirement might deter some

women from pursuing the CPA, but would have no significant impact on minorities. Further, they

concluded that the 150-hr requirement could increase students’ preference for Certified

Management Accountant (CMA) exam and this is more likely among female than male students

are. From a different point, Boone and Coe (2002) show a reduction of number of accounting

baccalaureate degrees and an increase in CMA degrees in states implementing the 150-hr

requirement.

The 150-hr can be a factor of measuring performance. In relation with present study it can

be adopted as a factor in which it may improve the performance of the graduates.

Another study conducted by the MCB UP Ltd publisher entitled “The 150-hours rule’ does

it improve CPA exam performance”. The study reports on a research conducted to investigate

factors that may determine the likelihood of passing the Saudi certified public accounting exam

organized by the Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA). The study use

achieves data of candidates who attended the exam since its inception 15 years ago. A logic model

was then developed to test the likelihood of success in the exam as a function of four factors:

number of year of experience, nationality, university, and holding of another professional

certification. The results suggest that number of years of experience and holding of another

professional certification are significant determinants in success in the SOCPA exam. In the other

side, the study found that nationality and university of candidates are adding no significant value to

prediction of the likelihood of success in the SOCPA exam. The study, further, concludes with

some recommendations to parties involved in the process of Saudi accounting professional

qualification.

In connection to the present study, the article dealt with the 150 semester credit hours

completion that can be a factor that may determine the likelihood of PSCC BSA graduates to pass

in the CPA Licensure Examination.

Brahmasrene and Whitten (2001) suggests further investigation of university retention

initiatives- that may enhance GPA as possible contributing factor that could further influence the

performance on the CPA exam. Accordingly, this study incorporates this variable by investigating

the contribution of universities accounting educational programs on the success of candidates on

SOCPA exam.

This study further provides some factors in passing Saudi CPA licensure examination and

this factor can be use for further study that is related in the present study. The only difference is

that the present study will apply these factors on PSCC BSA graduates and takers of CPA


Nneji (2002) states that study habits are learning tendencies that enable students work

private. Fielden (2004) states that good study habits help the students in critical reflection in skills

outcomes such as selecting, analyzing, critiquing, and synthesizing. The study conducted by Hope

L. Graven (2008) on the relationship between an individual’s amount of caffeine consumption

during his/her study session and the individual’s study habits showed that the main effect of

drinking caffeine on exam preparation was not significant. There were participants, 20 male and 58

female college students (N =78), answered self-rating on their personal consumption of caffeine as

well as their study habits when preparing for test or exam. It was hypothesized that the more

caffeine a student consumes while studying, the more accurately his/her study habits would be

labelled as ‘unhealthy’, as determined by the researchers. Unhealthy study habits were

operationally defined as low scores on amount of time per study session, time(in days) when

preparation began, and amount of information the participants believe they have retain. High

scores on anxiety level were ‘unhealthy’ study habits. A person correlation indicated no

relationship between amount of caffeine consumed while studying and the individual’s

effectiveness of studying and preparation.

Good study habits can be a factor that may affects the performance of PSCC BSA

graduates in the CPA Licensure Examination.

Marcus Crede and Nathan R. Kuncel(2008) in their research at the university of Albany

said that study habits, skill and attitude inventory and constructs were found to rival standardized

test and previous grades as predictors of academic performance yielding substantial incremental

validity in predicting academic performance the meta-analysis examine the constructs validity and

predictive validity of 10 study’s skill constructs for college students . They found that study skill

inventories and constructs are largely independent of both high school grades on standardized

admission tests but moderately related ti various personally constructs; these results were

inconsistent with previous theories. Study motivation and study skill exhibit the strongest

relationship with both grade point average and grades in individual classes. They also that

academic specific anxiety was found to be an important negative predictor of performance. In

addition, significance variation in the validity of specific inventories is shown. Scores on

traditional study habits and attitude inventories are the most predictive of performance, whereas

scores on inventories based on the popular depth-of-processing perspective are shown to least

predictive of the examiner criteria. Over all, study habits and skill measures improve prediction of

academic performance more than any others non cognitive individual difference variable examine

to date and should be regarded as third pillar of academic success.

According to the how-to-study.com (2009), students who are very successful in their

desired career have good study habits. It is stated in the website that students apply these habits to

their classes.

The Open University of Tanzania conducted study entitled “Factors affecting Southern

African students’ success in CIMA examination”. This study explores the factors affecting the

result obtained by southern African students in the professional qualifications of the Chartered

Institute of Managements Accountants (CIMA). In the questioner sent to CIMA students, thirteen

variables were identified and included. Three variables were significantly associated with

examination success: age, tuition and study materials. Younger candidates, who attended part-time

tuition classes and candidates who use the textbooks published be BPP were more successful.

Trends were also detected regarding gender, the numbers of pares written, and examination

attempts: females tends to outperform males candidates had the smaller chance of passing all the

papers they sat if they took on more papers at a time, a first-time candidates had a higher tendency

to passed than repeat candidates did. The findings of most of these studies suggest that many

factors are positively with student performance, with a greater body of evidenced existing in

relation to previous university examination performance where overall GPA is used an indicator.

In some studies of student performance, researchers have attempte to understand the impact of

critical thinking skills as additional predictors.

The above-mentioned studies dealt with factors affecting the success of Africans students

in the CIMA students. In relation to the present study, the researcher focuses also on the factors

that may affect the performance of students in the CPA examination but the respondents are only

accountancy students of PSCC.

In particular, the most researched issues were influence in the notion that concern the

interrelation between the exam and its community such as the impact of pre-requirements of the

exam on specific group, the impact of nature of administration of the exam and its overall benefits

on the profession, the impact of the format of the exam on candidates. Whereas the most

researched issues relating the factors affecting the performance on the CPA exam were concern

about the impact several attributions of candidates on their success on the CPA exam such as

accounting educational curriculums, age, gender, work experienced, financial capabilities and

nature preparation method. Muzondo and Pazderka (1980) suggest the interrelation between the

exam and its community.

There study argues that regulatory environment could have an impact on the educational

and personal attributes of candidates that they must process and the exam restrictions that they face

when taking CPA exam.

B. Local

Several studies in relation with the academic performance of graduates in different licensure

examinations have been conducted. A study by Donna Lou E. Neri, RN, MHSS (2008) sought to

determine possible factors that predict performance in the Nursing Licensure Examination (NLE). NLE

passers were usually those students who were performing well in the classroom, during clinical duties and

even in the in-house review after graduation. In contrast, the non-passers are typically students who were

performing poorly in these areas. Passers of the nursing licensure examination have higher intellective

profile compared to the non-passers. Passers of the board examination performance, although they

succeeded in hurdling the exam, got “low passing” scores (75-79). The student’s nurses’ attitude,

knowledge and skills are supplemented by the intensive reviews given after graduation. Once students are

performing well in these three areas of learning, they have a 55% chance of making it in the board exam.

This study dealt with the factors that affect the performance of nursing graduates in the NLE. In

relation to the present study, the researchers may include the factors that have been said above. However,

they differ in the sense that the present study is dealing on the factors that affects the performance of

PSCC BSA graduates in the CPA licensure examination.

Another study conducted by Josefina T. Buena of Catanduanes State Colleges (2000) in which it

determines the level of performance of the junior and the senior nursing students of the College of Nursing

Catanduanes State Colleges affiliated at the Provincial Health Office in Catanduanes. Specifically dwell

on by study were; the socio-demographic profile of the junior and senior nursing students in terms of

family income, educational background and occupation of parents, family and mental ability, the level of

performance of junior and senior nursing students in preoperative activities as perceived by the students

themselves and by their clinical instructors. Based on her findings, there was no significant difference

between the self-evaluation of junior nursing students and clinical instructor in preoperative nursing

activities. However, for senior nursing students a significant difference was established. This means that

the evaluation of senior students and that of the clinical instructors were different. There was no

significant relationship between mental ability and level of performance of both junior and senior nursing

students, in the different phases of the preoperative activities. The study tended to conclude that mentally

ability in terms of results of the internships examination, did not affect the level of performance in

preoperative activities indicating that high score in internship examination as well as high or low grades

obtained during the school year were not determinants of the level of performance.

In connection of these to the present study, there is lot of factors that affects the performance of

one’s success in the actual board licensure examination. Some of the testimony of the board passers is also

applicable to the topic in which the researcher would able to gather information regarding the factors why

students fail/pass the CPA licensure examination.

Another has been conducted by Florencia V. Pua (2007) which is the relationship of academic

stress to students test performance. This study aimed to identify some factors that are influential to the test

performance of the participants. The participants had undergone a stress test before facing any type of

examination. It revealed a perfect correlation, and that academic stress had a great relationship with

students test performance.

A study about time management on academic performance of senior students of the College of

Arts and Sciences of Isabela State University (ISU) Echague Campus had been conducted by Janice B.

Curibang (2008). This study was undertaken to find out the impact of time management style to academic

performance.

In relation to the present study, the institution may adopt the academic stress test and the time

management style for improvement of BSA students in their academic performance that can be a factor in

taking the licensure examination.

CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents significant procedures and methodologies to be used in gathering necessary

information about the factors that affects the performance of Patria Sable Corpus College (PSCC)

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) graduates in the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure

examination. It also presents the discussion of research design, research instrument, data gathering

procedures, and statistical treatment of data.

Research Design

The researchers used the descriptive survey method in gathering data. Descriptive survey is used to

be able to gain more information that is eligibly classify in order to get more reliable information

regarding the said research in order to promote knowledgeable idea regarding the said research. It is

believed that this is the appropriate method to be used in conducting this study.

Respondents

The respondents of this study are the 26 examinees who took the CPA licensure examination from

2004-2010 of Patria Sable Corpus College.

Research Instrument

The principal tool in gathering data is the questionnaire. This is supplemented by personal

interviews and documentary analysis. The questionnaire consists of two parts: first, the respondents’

profile which consists of personal information, and second is the question itself regarding the factors

affecting the performance of the respondents.

Data Gathering Procedure

With the permission of the thesis adviser and the college coordinator, the researcher will present

request to the Dean of College of Accountancy and Management, and to the Registrar’s office to use the

records of the graduates who took the CPA licensure examination from school year 2004 to 2010.

Statistical Treatment of the Data

To be useful in the research analysis, the data gathered from the school record were statistically

treated through the following:

1. Frequency Count. It is the summary table in which the data is arranged into conveniently

established, numerically orders class in grouping or categories.

2. Percentage Computation. It will be used to determine the data on the distribution of the

respondents.

Punzalan and Gabriel (2006) gave the formula in getting the percentage.

P= (Px) N/100

Where: Px = percentage required

N = number of item

100 = constant number

3. Weighted Means. The weighted mean is a mean where there is some variation in the relative

contribution of individual data values to the mean.

The formula is:

The Weighted mean for given set of non negative data {x1, x2, x3, ...xn} with non

negative weights {w1, w2, w3, ...wn} can be derived from the formula:

where:

x is the repeating value

w is the number of occurrences of x (weight)

x7 is the weighted mean

CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presents the analysis and interpretation of data gathered which were discussed

sequentially in the order of the problem presented in Chapter I.

1. Respondents’ Profile in terms of:

1.1 Age

TABLE 1. FREQUENCY AND PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS

ACCORDING TO THEIR AGE

Age Frequency Percentage

18 - 20 years old 0 0.00%

21 - 23 years old 9 30.00%

24 - 26 years old 11 36.67%

Others 10 33.33%

Total 30 100%

Table 1 shows that 36.67% or 11 respondents are from 24 to 26 years old, 33.33% or 10

respondents is from the section “Others” wherein they specified their age that range from 27 to 29, 30% or

9 respondents are from 21 to 23 years old. None of the respondents have age that range from 18 to 20

years old.

As revealed in the table, majority of the respondents belongs to adulthood and none of them

belongs to teenage group.

1.2 Gender

TABLE 2 FREQUENCY AND PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS

ACCORDING TO THEIR SEX

Gender Frequency Percentage

Male 18 60.00%

Female 12 40.00%

Total 30 100%

Table 2 shows that 60% or 18 respondents are male and 40% or 12 respondents are female.

It was presented that majority of the respondents are male, but the difference in number of the

respondents is not significant enough to affect this study.

1.3 Civil Status

TABLE 3. FREQUENCY AND PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS

ACCORDING TO THEIR CIVIL STATUS

Status Frequency Percentage

Single 24 80.00%

Married 6 20.00%

Widowed 0 0.00%

Separated 0 0.00%

Total 30 100%

Table 3 reveals that 80% or 24 respondents are still single and the rest were already married. None

of the respondents is widowed or separated.

1.4 Year Graduated

TABLE 4. FREQUENCY AND PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS AS TO

THE YEAR THEY GRADUATED

Year Graduated Frequency Percentage

2004 5 16.67%

2005 4 13.33%

2006 2 6.67%

2007 2 6.67%

2008 5 16.67%

2009 4 13.33%

2010 8 26.67%

Total 30 100%

Table 4 shows that 26.67% or 8 respondents graduated in the year 2010, 16.67% or 5 respondents

graduated in the years 2004 and 2008, 13.33% or 4 respondents graduated in the years 2005 and 2009, and

6.67% or 2 respondents graduated in the years 2006 and 2007.

Based on the above information, the difference in numbers of respondent who graduated and have

taken up the licensure examination may have effects in the ratings of the school performance as a whole

but not on the individuals’ performances.

2. Factors Affecting the performance of Patria Sable Corpus College – Bachelor of Science in

Accountancy graduates in the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination

2.1 Academic Performance

TABLE 5. EXTENT OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF PSCC-BSA

GRADUATES IN THE CPA LICENSURE EXAMINATION AS TO THEIR ACADEMIC

PERFORMANCE

Factors

Weighted

Mean

Descriptive

Interpretation Rank

a. Earned failing grades in your major subjects 1.47 NEVER 1

b. Review while undergraduate 2.70 SOMEWHAT 2

c. Took the examination after graduation 4.40TO A GREAT

EXTENT5

d. Retention policy helps you in your preparation for

the board examination4.33

TO A GREAT

EXTENT4

e. Class discussion contributed a lot 3.97 MODERATE 3

Over-all Weighted Mean 3.37

As presented in Table 5, respondents who earned failing grades in their major subjects have a

weighted mean of 1.47 in which, it is interpreted as “Never”. Respondents who are reviewing while

undergraduate have a weighted mean of 2.7, wherein, it is interpreted as “Somewhat”. Respondents took

the examination after graduation has a weighted mean of 4.4 which is interpreted as “To a Great Extent”.

Retention policy helps the respondents in their preparation for the board examination have a weighted

mean of 4.33 in which it is interpreted as “To a Great Extent”. Class discussion contributed a lot has a

weighted mean of 3.97 which is interpreted as “Moderate”.

As revealed in the above information, respondents taking up the examination after graduation and

whether the retention policy helps the respondents in their preparation in the board examination affect

their performance to a great extent. Contributions of class discussion on the respondents’ preparation on

the said examination have a moderate effect on their performance. When respondents took up review

while undergraduate has somewhat affects their performance in the said examination. Earning failing

grades in their major subject never affects their performance in the licensure examination,

2.2 Financial Factors


GRADUATES IN THE CPA LICENSURE EXAMINATION AS TO FINANCIAL FACTORS

Factors

Weighted

Mean

Descriptive

Interpretation Rank

a. Suffered financial constraint during the review up

to the date of examination2.30 LITTLE 2

b. Parent’s support you financially during review4.50

TO A GREAT

EXTENT3

c. Working while reviewing 1.83 LITTLE 1


As shown in Table 6, respondents suffered financial constraint during the review up to the date of

examination has a weighted mean of 2.3 and it is interpreted as “Little”. Parents’ support the respondents

financially during the review have a weighted mean of 4.5 and interpreted as “To a Great Extent”.

Respondents working while reviewing have a weighted mean of 1.83 and it is interpreted as “Little”.

Based on the above information, financial supports have a great effect while a financial problem

doesn’t have a great effect on the respondents’ performance.

2.3 Social and Physical Factors


GRADUATES IN THE CPA LICENSURE EXAMINATION AS TO SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL

FACTORS

Factors

Weighted

Mean

Descriptive

Interpretation Rank

a. Encountered friend problems during examination 1.67 NEVER 3

b. Encountered problems with your girlfriend or

boyfriend during examination1.67 NEVER 3

c. Encountered family problems during review 1.53 NEVER 1

d. Encountered friend problems after examination 1.67 NEVER 3

e. Physically fit during the examination4.47

TO A GREAT

EXTENT7

f. Suffered from illness before the examination 1.90 LITTLE 6

g. Suffered from illness during the examination 1.73 NEVER 5


As shown in Table 7, respondents who encountered problems with their girlfriend or boyfriend and

with their friends during and after the examination have a weighted mean of 1.67 and are interpreted as

“Never”. Respondents who encountered family problems during review have a weighted mean of 1.53 and

interpreted as “Never”. Physically fit during the examination have a weighted mean of 4.47 and

interpreted as “To a Great Extent”. Suffered from illness before the examination has a weighted mean of

1.9 and interpreted as “Little”. Suffered from illness during examination have a weighted mean of 1.73

and interpreted as “Never”.

Based on the gathered information, social factors never affect the respondents’ performance in the

said examination while physical factors affects.

2.4 Environmental Factors


GRADUATES IN THE CPA LICENSURE EXAMINATION AS TO ENVIRONMENTAL

FACTORS

Factors

Weighted

Mean

Descriptive

Interpretation Rank

a. Comfortable in the place where you resided during

review3.73 MODERATE 2

b. Conducive for review in the place where you

resided during review3.53 MODERATE 1

c. The ambiance of the examination room affects

your concentration during the examination4.07 MODERATE 3

d. The ambiance of the review center affects your

preparation for the examination4.27

TO A GREAT

EXTENT4


As gleaned in Table 8, comfortable in the place where you resided during review have a weighted

mean of 3.73 and interpreted as “Moderate”. Conducive for review in the place where you resided during

review have a weighted mean of 3.53 and interpreted as “Moderate”. The ambiance of the examination

room affects your concentration during the examination has a weighted mean of 4.07 and interpreted as

“Moderate”. The ambiance of the review center affects your preparation for the examination has a

weighted mean of 4.27 and interpreted as “To a Great Extent”.

The above information states that environmental factors really affect the respondents’ performance

in the CPA Licensure Examination.

2.5 Spiritual Factors


GRADUATES IN THE CPA LICENSURE EXAMINATION AS TO SPIRITUAL FACTORS

Factors

Weighted

Mean

Descriptive

Interpretation Rank

a. Praying before taking the examination4.9

TO A GREAT

EXTENT3

b. Praying while taking the examination4.8

TO A GREAT

EXTENT2

c. Praying after taking the examination4.73

TO A GREAT

EXTENT1


As seen in Table 9, praying before taking the examination has a weighted mean of 4.9 and

interpreted as “To a Great Extent”. Praying while taking the examination has a weighted mean of 4.8 and

interpreted as “To a Great Extent”. Praying after taking the examination has a weighted mean of 4.73 and

interpreted as “To a Great Extent”.

Based on the above information, respondents believe that spiritual factors have a great effect in

their performance in the said examination.

CHAPTER V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

This chapter covers the summary of findings, conclusions, and recommendations based from the

study. The conclusion is prepared as a result of the objectives and through study being conducted by the

researchers. Recommendations are also included that may contribute to the improvement of Patria Sable

Corpus College-Bachelor of Science in Accountancy graduates in the Certified Public Accountant


Summary of Findings

Based from the study, the following results are revealed:

Major Findings

1. Respondents’ Profile in terms of:

1.1 Age

Majority of the respondents are ages from 21 and above.

1.2 Sex

Male occupies majority of the respondents as to gender.

1.3 Civil Status

Majority of the respondents are single as to civil status.

1.4 Year Graduated

Majority of the respondents graduated on the year 2010.

2. Factors affecting the performance of Patria Sable Corpus College – Bachelor of Science in

Accountancy graduates in the Certified Public Licensure Examination in terms of:

2.1 Academic Performance

Majority of the respondents took the examination after graduation and retention policy

helps the respondents in preparation for the board examination.

2.2 Financial Factors

Majority of the respondent’s parents support them financially during review.

2.3 Social Factors

Majority of the respondent’s is physically fit during examination.

2.4 Environmental Factors

Majority of the respondents revealed that ambiance of the review center affects the

preparation for the board examination.

2.5 Spiritual Factors

Majority of the respondents prayed before taking the examination, during and after the

examination.

Conclusions

The researcher drawn the following conclusion based on the results gathered from the study:

1. Most of the respondents are age 21 and above, since they are already graduated 2 years ago.

2. Male occupies the majority part as to gender but the difference in number of the respondents is not

significant enough to affect this study.

3. Majority of the respondents are single as to civil status because it is usually the trend in studying to

focus on reviewing and taking the board examination.

4. Majority of the respondents graduated on the year 2010 since they have the largest numbers of the

graduating class.

5. Majority of the respondents took the examination after graduation because what they have studied

is still fresh and retention policy helps the respondents in the preparation for the board examination

for it motivate the students to study well. These two factors affect the examinees in their

performance during the examination.

6. Majority of the respondent’s parents support them financially and so they can be able to

concentrate in their review. This factor affects the takers.

7. Majority of the respondents are physically fit during examination, health of the takers will affect

the level of thinking of the takers.

8. Majority of the respondents revealed that ambiance of the review center in the preparation for

examination affects the takers because their review classes help the examinees to perform well

during examination.

9. Majority of the respondents prayed before taking the examination, during and after the

examination, spiritual factor affects the examinees performance.

Recommendations

Based on the study, researchers recommend the following:

1. The institution must be aware in preparing the BSA students in their future CPA Licensure

Examination.

2. The takers must choose the review center where they fill comfortable with and conducive for

learning, pile up stock knowledge, and relax themselves. And they must be physically fit.

3. The takers should not be pressured with the expectations of other people.

4. The accountancy students must give importance in studies and have a good study habits.

5. Always ask guidance, protection and wisdom from the Almighty God.

Thesis New Encoded-finaL!

Documents

Transcript of Thesis New Encoded-finaL!