Perceived Competencies of Entry- level Accountant Respondents as Perceived by

Themselves in Terms of Functional Competencies

Indicator
Functional
Decision-making:
Financial
risk
analysis:
Measurement
Reporting
Research
Leverage technology
OVERALL

Adjectival

Composite
Mean
3.02

SD
.62

Description
High Competence

2.97

.72

High Competence

Agree

2.97
3.13
2.72
2.82

.63
.63
.74
.62

Agree
Agree
Agree
Agree

3.00

.56

High Competence
High Competence
High Competence
High Competence
High
Competence

Interpretation
Agree

Agree

Legend: Strongly Disagree 1.00-1.50 ; Disagree 1.51-2.50 ; Agree 2.51-3.50 ; Strongly Agree 3.51 4.00

Table 9 presents the level of the perceived competencies of entry-level accountant

respondents as perceived by themselves in terms of functional competencies. The
questionnaire contains 6 sub-variables related to the perceived functional competencies of
entry-level accountant respondents. As it is shown in the table, Decision making has a
composite mean of 3.02 and an interpretation of high competence. For Risk Analysis, it
has a composite mean of 2.97 and an interpretation of high competence. For
Measurement, it has a composite mean of 2.97 and an interpretation of high competence.
For Reporting, it has a composite mean of 3.13 and an interpretation of high competence.
For Research, it has a composite mean of 2.72 and an interpretation of low competence.
Leverage Technology, it has a composite mean of 2.82 and an interpretation of high
competence.

As shown also in the table, the sub-variable Decision Making shows the highest
composite of mean of 2.95. On the other hand, the sub-variable Research has the lowest
mean of 3.02.
Kavanagh and Drennan (2008) reveals that students were focused on developing
routine technical expertise, oral and written communication skills, analytical and problem
solving skills and appreciative skills including decision making and critical thinking.
With regard to employers, they are expecting graduates entering the profession to have as
the top three skills analytical/problem solving skills, a level of business awareness or real
life experience, basic accounting skills, and technology.
In conclusion to the researchers study, the principles and techniques needed to
solve problems or make judgments are important in the industry. Thus, individuals
entering the accounting profession should display effective problem solving and decisionmaking skills, good insight, and judgment, as well as innovative and creative thinking.

Indicator Functional
Statement
#

#1

#10

Mean

Adjectival
Description

Interpret
ation

.69

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.72

High
Competenc
e

Agree

SD

Decision Making
Decision-making: having the
ability
to
conceptually
structuralize the situation and
select one amongst available
options.
The ability to analyse and
reason logically: supporting
your
arguments
with
theoretical
analysis
or
objective
or
subjective
reasoning process.

3.07

2.97

Composite
Mean
Of
Decision
Making

#2

Composite
Mean Of
Risk
Analysis

#9

#3
Composite
Mean of
Measurem
ent

3.02

.62

Risk Analysis
Financial
risk
analysis:
having the ability to assess
the
factors
that
may
jeopardize the project such as
2.97 .72
knowing
cost
benefit
analysis,
ratio
analysis,
portfolio management, NPV,
IRR, sensitivity analysis etc.
2.97

.72

Measurement
Economics
background:
analysing the production,
distribution and consumption
of goods and services such as
3.13 .78
knowing how to measure
GDP, GNP, demand and
supply curve, equilibrium,
and price elasticity etc.
Financial
accounting:
classifying
of
financial
2.80 .66
transactions
to
proper
accounts.
2.97
Reporting

.63

High
Competenc
e

Agree

High
Competenc
e

Agree

High
Competenc
e

Agree

High
Competenc
e

Agree

High
Competenc
e

Agree

High
Competenc
e

Agree

#8

Cost
and
management
accounting: study of the
accounting information to
managers
within
organizations, to provide
them with the basis to make
informed business decisions
such as knowing budgeting
techniques,
costing,
accounting for labour, and
accounting for overheads etc.

Composite
Mean of
Reporting

.63

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.63

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.81

High
Competenc
e

Agree

2.80

.76

High
Competenc
e

Agree

2.72

.74

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.86

Low
Competenc
e

Disagree

.73

High
Competenc
e

Agree

3.13

3.13
Research

#6

#7

Use of modeling and

quantitative
analysis
techniques
Statistics: study of the
collection,
organization,
analysis, interpretation, and
presentation of data such as
knowing how to conduct
regression
analysis,
correlation, chi-square, t-test,
and hypothesis testing etc.

Composite
Mean of
Research

2.63

Leverage Technology
#4

Utilize specialized software

(SPSS, accounting and tax).

#5

Information
technology
competence:
having the
ability to use computer
software such as knowing
MS
Office,
Excel,
Powerpoints

2.50

3.13

Composite
Mean of
Leverage
Technolog
y
OVERAL
L MEAN
OF
FUNCTI
ONAL
COMPET
ENCY

2.82

3.00

.62

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.56

High
Competenc
e

Agree

Legend: Strongly Disagree 1.00-1.50 ; Disagree 1.51-2.50 ; Agree 2.51-3.50 ; Strongly Agree
3.51 4.00

Perceived Competencies of Entry- level Accountant Respondents as Perceived by

Themselves in Terms of Personal Competencies

Indicator

Composit
e
Mean

SD

Adjectival
Description

Interpretat
ion

High
Agree
Competence
High
Problem Solving and Decision
3.30
.60
Competen
Agree
Making
ce
High
Interaction
3.10
.56
Agree
Competence
High
Leadership
3.30
.60
Agree
Competence
High
Communication
3.04
.67
Agree
Competence
Project Management,
High
3.00
.59
Agree
Competence
High
OVERALL
3.12
.47
Agree
Competence
Legend: Strongly Disagree 1.00-1.50 ; Disagree 1.51-2.50 ; Agree 2.51-3.50 ; Strongly
Agree 3.51 4.00
Professional Demeanor

3.10

.48

Table 10 presents the level of the perceived competencies of entry-level

accountant respondents as perceived by themselves in terms of personal competencies.

The questionnaire contains 6 sub-variables related to the perceived functional

competencies of entry-level accountant respondents. As it is shown in the table,
Professional Demeanor has a composite mean of 3.10 and an interpretation of high
competence. For Problem Solving and Decision Making, it has a composite mean of 3.30
and an interpretation of high competence. For Interaction, it has a composite mean of
3.10 and an interpretation of high competence. For Leadership, it has a composite mean
of 3.30 and an interpretation of high competence. For Communication, it has a composite
mean of 3.04 and an interpretation of low competence. For Project Management, it has a
composite mean of 3.00 and an interpretation of high competence.
As shown also in the table, the sub-variables Problem Solving and Decision
Making and Leadership show the highest composite of mean of 3.30. On the other hand,
the sub-variable Communication and Project Management has the lowest mean of 2.38.
Developing skills and attributes to equip them for a career in the accounting profession is
needed.
The findings of the study of Kavanagh and Drennan (2008) reveal that students
rated continuous learning as the most important skill to future careers and were focused
on developing routine technical expertise, oral and written communication skills,
analytical and problem solving skills and appreciative skills including decision making
and critical thinking. In conclusion, Individuals entering the accounting profession should
behave in a manner that is consistent with the character and standards of the discipline of
accounting, as well as the norms of the environment in which they interact.

Entry-level accountants often asked and seen to discern the true nature of a
situation and then developing skills and attributes to equip them for a career in the
accounting profession

Indicator Functional
Statement
#

#13

#17

#23

#26

Composite
Mean
Of
Profession
al
Demeanor

#11

Mean

SD

Adjectival
Description

Interpret
ation

Professional Demeanor
Think and behave ethically:
professional behavior of
accountants
must
be
according to accounting code
of ethics
Personal attributes: having
confidence, identifying owns
strengths and weaknesses,
motivation
level,
selfpromotion
and
selfmanagement etc.
Presentation
skill:
appropriately present
and
construct financial statement
or audit opinion
Focused on outcomes: ability
to focus on objective and
subjective outcomes such as
meeting financial targets and
deadlines

.72

High
Competenc
e

Agree

3.03

.18

High
Competenc
e

Agree

2.80

.76

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.71

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.48

High
Competenc
e

Agree

3.37

3.20

3.10

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Problem solving: coming up
High
with a practical and feasible 3.13 .63 Competenc
solution to a problem
e

Agree

#21

Think creatively: coming up

with new and more effective
solutions to old problems

Composite
Mean Of
Problem
Solving
and
Decision
Making

3.13

3.13

.63

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.51

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.74

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.58

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.79

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.76

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.56

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.74

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.61

High
Competenc
e

Agree

Interaction
#14

#19

#24

#25

Flexibility and adaptability:

be flexible and adaptable to
changing environment in
official routine activities.
Teamwork: having the ability
to collaborate with colleagues
to resolve conflicts while
working in group.
Negotiation skill: making
others understand what you
are saying and convincing
them to a point where both
parties
arrive
at
an
agreement.
Understanding
group
dynamics: while working in
group understanding others
work potential, attitude,
emotions, and patience level.

Composite
Mean of
Interaction

3.27

3.27

2.83

3.03

3.10

Leadership
#20

#27

Independent thinking: having

independent
professional
judgment
Self-initiative: taking the
work responsibility on your
own while considering work
environment dynamics

3.23

3.37

Composite
Mean of
Leadershi
p

#15

#16

#18

#22
Composite
Mean of
Communi
cation

#12
Composite
Mean of
Project
Managem
ent
OVERAL
L MEAN
OF
PERSON
AL
COMPET
ENCY

3.30

.60

Communication
Communicate orally: having
the ability to speak fluently in
English, using appropriate 2.87 .78
tone to address your boss and
subordinates.
Communicate in written
format: having the ability to
3.07 .83
draft inter office memos and
letters.
English language: having the
ability to read, write, listen 3.00 .74
and speak in English.
Listen effectively: listen
attentively and understanding 3.23 .77
what others are saying.
3.04

.67

High
Competenc
e

Agree

High
Competenc
e

Agree

High
Competenc
e

Agree

High
Competenc
e
High
Competenc
e
High
Competenc
e

Project Management
Project management: having
High
the ability to establish and 3.00 .59 Competenc
run new projects
e

3.00

3.12

Agree

Agree

Agree

Agree

.59

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.47

High
Competenc
e

Agree

Legend: Strongly Disagree 1.00-1.50 ; Disagree 1.51-2.50 ; Agree 2.51-3.50 ; Strongly Agree 3.51 4.00

Perceived Competencies of Entry- level Accountant Respondents as Perceived by

Themselves in Terms of Business or Organizational Competencies
Indicator

Composi
te
Mean

SD

Strategic/Critical Thinking

3.10

.48

Industry/Sector Perspective

3.00

.59

International/Global
Perspective

2.77

.82

3.27

.64

3.00

.54

3.00

.64

2.92

.55

Resource Management,
Legal/Regulatory Perspective
Marketing/Client Focus,
OVERALL

Adjectival
Description
High
Competence
High
Competence
High
Competence
High
Competence
High
Competence
High
Competence
High
Competence

Interpretat
ion
Agree
Agree
Agree
Agree
Agree
Agree
Agree

Legend: Strongly Disagree 1.00-1.50 ; Disagree 1.51-2.50 ; Agree 2.51-3.50 ; Strongly Agree 3.51 4.00

Table 11 presents the level of the perceived competencies of entry-level

accountant respondents as perceived by supervisors in terms of organizational/business
competencies. The questionnaire contains 5 sub-variables related to the perceived
functional competencies of entry-level accountant respondents. As it is shown in the
table, Strategic/Critical Thinking has a composite mean of 3.10 and an interpretation of
high competence. For Industry/Sector Perspective, it has a composite mean of 3.00 and
an interpretation of high competence. For Resource Management, it has a composite
mean of 3.27 and an interpretation of high competence. For Legal/Regulatory
Perspective, it has a composite mean of 3.00 and an interpretation of high competence.

For Marketing/Client Focus, it has a composite mean of 3.00 and an interpretation of low
competence.
As shown also in the table, the sub-variable Strategic/Critical Thinking shows the
highest composite of mean of 3.10. On the other hand, the sub-variable
International/Global Perspective has the lowest mean of 2.77.
In the study of Kavanagh and Drennan (2008), he revealed that students were
focused on developing routine technical expertise, oral and written communication skills,
analytical and problem solving skills and appreciative skills including decision making
and critical thinking. In conclusion entry-level accountants should have familiarization
and awareness of the industry they are working into for them to maintain the performance
in their work.
In conclusion, accounting encompasses the ability to link data, knowledge, and
insight together from various disciplines to provide information for decision-making.
Being in tune with the "big picture" perspective is a necessary component for success.
Individuals entering the accounting profession should be able to communicate to others
the vision, strategy, goals, and culture of organizations.
Indicator Functional
Statement
#

#30

Mean

SD

Adjectival
Description

Interpret
ation

Strategic/Critical Thinking
Critical thinking: having a
sight to see things beyond its
apparent meaning and not
accepting anything until
proven with logical reasoning
or through some evidence

3.10

.48

High
Competenc
e

Agree

Composite
Mean
Of
Strategic/
Critical
Thinking

#34

Composite
Mean Of
Industry/S
ector
Perspectiv
e

#28

Composite
Mean of
Industry/S
ector
Perspectiv
e

#35

3.10

.48

High
Competenc
e

Industry/Sector Perspective
Work
effectively
in
diversified cultural settings:
High
understanding cultural norms
3.00 .69 Competenc
and values to work in
e
diversified
culture
or
multinational firms

3.00

.69

High
Competenc
e

International/Global Perspective
International
global
perspective: Knowledge and
understanding
of
High
international
financial 2.76 .82 Competenc
reporting standards and of
e
current developments in the
accounting profession

2.77

.82

High
Competenc
e

Resource Management
Engage in lifelong learning:
attending
professional
High
development, seminars , team 3.27 .64 Competenc
buildings and
programs
e
required in the profession.

Agree

Agree

Agree

Agree

Agree

Agree

Composite
Mean of
Resource
Managem
ent

#29

#32

Composite
Mean of
Legal/Reg
ulatory
Perspectiv
e

#31

#33

3.27

.64

High
Competenc
e

Legal/Regulatory Perspective
Legal regulatory perspective:
knowledge of the legal
High
structure of the state such as 2.87 .63 Competenc
corporate law, taxation and
e
auditing standards
Inter or multidisciplinary
perspective: while doing
accounting
considering
High
others
disciplinary 3.13 .68 Competenc
perspective such as strategic
e
management, corporate law
and taxation etc.

3.00

.54

High
Competenc
e

Marketing/Client Focus
Marketing/clients
focus:
customer care orientation
High
such as knowing marketing 2.93 .78 Competenc
tactics in order to deal with
e
clients
Strategic
management:
concerned with the study of
understanding organisation
strategic requirements such
High
as knowing porter's 5 forces, 3.07 .74 Competenc
SWOT
analysis,
price
e
differentiation
strategies,
product development, market
penetration etc

Agree

Agree

Agree

Agree

Agree

Agree

Composite
Mean of
Marketing
/Client
Focus
OVERAL
L MEAN
OF
ORGANIZ
ATIONAL
COMPET
ENCIES

3.00

2.92

.64

High
Competenc
e

Agree

.55

High
Competenc
e

Agree

Legend: Strongly Disagree 1.00-1.50 ; Disagree 1.51-2.50 ; Agree 2.51-3.50 ; Strongly Agree 3.51 4.00

Overall Assessment on the Perceived Competencies of Entry- level Accountant

Respondents as Perceived by Themselves
Indicator

Mean

SD

Functional

3.00

.56

Personal

3.12

.47

Organizational or
Business

2.92

.55

Overall Mean

3.01

.47

Adjectival
Interpretation
Description
High
Agree
Competence
High
Agree
Competence
High
Agree
Competence
High
Agree
Competence

Legend: Strongly Disagree 1.00-1.50 ; Disagree 1.51-2.50 ; Agree 2.51-3.50 ; Strongly Agree 3.51 4.00

Table 8 shows the comparison of overall assessment on the perceived

competencies of entry- level accountant respondents as perceived by themselves in terms
of the variables functional, personal and business or organizational competencies. In
terms of Functional Competencies, the entry-level accountants are perceived to have high
competence on the aspect. The variable functional has a composite mean of 3.00. Entrylevel accountants have perceived that they have high competence on this aspect.

In terms of Personal Competencies, the entry-level accountants are perceived to

have high competence on this aspect. The variable Personal has a composite mean of
3.12. Entry-level accountants have perceived that they have high competence on this
aspect.
In terms of Business or Organizational Competencies, the entry-level accountants
are perceived to have high competence on this aspect. The variable business or
organizational has a composite mean of 2.92. Entry-level accountants have perceived that
they have high competence on this aspect.
On the summary of the Competencies, Personal Competencies got the highest
composite mean which is 3.12 and interpreted as a High Competence. Next is the
Functional Competencies with the composite mean of 3.00 and interpreted as a High
Competence and the Business or Organizational competencies which got the mean of
2.92 is the lowest and is interpreted as high competence. Summing up the three indicators
for perceived competencies of entry- level accountant respondents as perceived by
supervisors, it shows that they perceive to have high competence on all these aspects with
a composite mean of 3.02.