Are we there yet? Changing perceptions of accounting as a career preference

Abstract

Much has beenwritten about student attitudes and perceptions of the accounting profession
 over the past decades. Similarly various efforts have been undertaken by accounting educators and
 professional accounting bodies to change negative perceptions of the profession. Efforts to improve
 the perception of the profession have been driven by evidence that demonstrates that perceptions are
 important in career choice. This study examines whether efforts to change perceptions have filtered
 down to secondary school students who are contemplating career choices. The study specifically examines perceptions of secondary school students about the accounting profession. The results at the
 secondary school level suggest that the stereotypical negative image of the accountant continues,with
 students expressing the viewthat thework of an accountant is boring and precise. However, the study
 showed that attitudes toward accounting differed significantly depending on whether or not students
 were studying accounting at secondary school. Overall, the results of the study suggest that we are
 ‘not there yet’ in terms of projecting positive and accurate perceptions of the accounting profession
 to a broad range of secondary students.