Title: Factors influencing the accounting profession career choice: evidence from an emerging economy

Authors: Nelson Waweru; Arzu Özsözgün Çalışkan; Halil Emre Akbaş; Salih Durer

Addresses: School of Administrative Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada ' Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Yıldız Technical University, 34349, Beşiktaş, İstanbul, Turkey ' Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Yıldız Technical University, 34349, Beşiktaş, İstanbul, Turkey ' Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Yıldız Technical University, 34349, Beşiktaş, İstanbul, Turkey

Abstract: This study investigated the skills that are considered necessary in an accounting career and the factors that influence the career choice of accountants in an emerging economy. Using a sample of 643 accountants, the study established that contribution to personal development and society and difficulties in obtaining a CA licence were the most important factors influencing the accounting professional career choice in Turkey. Furthermore, analytical skills and perseverance were perceived to be the most important skills necessary in an accounting career.

Keywords: certified public accountants; CPA; sworn-in accountants; career choice; skills; Turkey; accounting profession; emerging economies; accounting careers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCA.2014.063366

International Journal of Critical Accounting, 2014 Vol.6 No.2, pp.147 - 165

Published online: 25 Jul 2014 *

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