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Quantifying the advantage of secondary mathematics study for accounting and finance undergraduates

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  • Jamie Alcock
  • Sophie Cockcroft
  • Frank Finn

Abstract

We examine the role that secondary mathematics plays in the performance of students in introductory business courses. Students who pass more advanced secondary mathematics subjects perform significantly better in introductory business courses. This ‘mathematics effect’ is significantly stronger than the effect of other business‐related secondary subjects, such as economics or accounting. Our findings also confirm previous studies showing that secondary accounting is beneficial for studying first‐year tertiary accounting. Interestingly though, we find that studying secondary economics can detract from a student's introductory tertiary results in some courses. Our findings have implications for educators and administrators as well as current secondary students.

Suggested Citation

  • Jamie Alcock & Sophie Cockcroft & Frank Finn, 2008. "Quantifying the advantage of secondary mathematics study for accounting and finance undergraduates," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 48(5), pages 697-718, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:48:y:2008:i:5:p:697-718
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-629X.2008.00261.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Averil Cook, 2010. "Improving the Success Rate in Statistics," Discussion Papers Series 415, School of Economics, University of Queensland, Australia.
    3. Paul Gerrans & Richard Heaney, 2019. "The impact of undergraduate personal finance education on individual financial literacy, attitudes and intentions," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 59(1), pages 177-217, March.
    4. Leiv Opstad & Philip Toney & Torbjørn Årethun, 2023. "Factors Influencing Students’ Choice Of Mathematics In High School And Experience In The Compulsory Business Mathematics Course: Evidence From Norway," Business Education and Accreditation, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15.
    5. Hunjra, Ahmed Imran & Rehman, Kashif-Ur- & Ahmad, Abrar & Safwan, Nadeem & Rehman, Ijaz-Ur, 2009. "Factors explaining the choice of finance major: students’ perception towards finance profession," MPRA Paper 40687, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Beatson, Nicola & Gabriel, Cle-Anne & Howell, Angela & Scott, Stephen & van der Meer, Jacques & Wood, Lincoln C., 2020. "Just opt in: How choosing to engage with technology impacts business students’ academic performance," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    7. Ali Uyar & Khalil Nimer & Cemil Kuzey, 2023. "Education quality, internet access in schools, and research performance in management and accounting domains: a cross-country investigation," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(10), pages 5441-5475, October.

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