SYNOPSIS
The accounting profession faces a supply chain challenge as fewer college students choose to study accounting. Although its emergence is well documented, limited empirical research examines the underlying factors driving the accounting supply chain challenge. These factors must be clearly understood before effective solutions can be developed and employed. We survey more than 1,400 business school undergraduates (both accounting and nonaccounting) using fixed-response and open-ended questions. We employ factor analysis, logistic regression, and textual analysis to better understand how their perceptions of specific elements of accounting and the profession affect their choice of pursuing an accounting education. We find three factors impacting the choice to pursue an accounting education: (1) perceptions of career opportunities, (2) familiarity with life as an accountant (including work-life balance), and (3) hurdles to the degree/career, particularly the certified public accountant exam requirements. These results have implications for effectively resolving the accounting supply chain challenge.
Data Availability: Data are available upon request.
