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Motivations, expectations and preparedness for higher education: A study of accounting students in Ireland, the UK, Spain and Greece

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Listed:
  • Byrne, Marann
  • Flood, Barbara
  • Hassall, Trevor
  • Joyce, John
  • Arquero Montaño, Jose Luis
  • González González, José María
  • Tourna-Germanou, Eleni

Abstract

This paper compares the motives, expectations and preparedness of a sample of students commencing the study of accounting in higher education in four European countries. The findings reveal that whilst all students are motivated to progress to higher education for career-oriented reasons and to seek intellectual growth, considerable variation is observed between the students in the four settings with regard to motives, confidence and perceptions of preparedness for higher education. The implications of these findings, both in the context of the alignment objectives of the Bologna process and the ongoing accounting education change debate, are considered.

Suggested Citation

  • Byrne, Marann & Flood, Barbara & Hassall, Trevor & Joyce, John & Arquero Montaño, Jose Luis & González González, José María & Tourna-Germanou, Eleni, 2012. "Motivations, expectations and preparedness for higher education: A study of accounting students in Ireland, the UK, Spain and Greece," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 134-144.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:accfor:v:36:y:2012:i:2:p:134-144
    DOI: 10.1016/j.accfor.2011.12.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Prem Sikka & Colin Haslam & Orthodoxia Kyriacou & Dila Agrizzi, 2007. "A Rejoinder to 'Professionalizing Claims and the State of UK Professional Accounting Education: Some Evidence'," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(1), pages 59-64.
    2. Prem Sikka & Colin Haslam & Orthodoxia Kyriacou & Dila Agrizzi, 2007. "Professionalizing Claims and the State of UK Professional Accounting Education: Some Evidence," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(1), pages 3-21.
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    5. Russell Craig & Joel Amernic, 2002. "Accountability of accounting educators and the rhythm of the university: resistance strategies for postmodern blues," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(2), pages 121-171.
    6. Sonja Gallhofer & Jim Haslam, 2007. "A Commentary on 'Professionalizing Claims and the State of UK Professional Accounting Education: Some Evidence'," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(1), pages 27-30.
    7. Paisey, Catriona & Paisey, Nicholas J., 2010. "Developing skills via work placements in accounting: Student and employer views," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 89-108.
    8. Lee D. Parker, 2007. "Professionalisation and UK Accounting Education: Academic and Professional Complicity - A Commentary on 'Professionalizing Claims and the State of UK Professional Accounting Education: Some Evidence'," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(1), pages 43-46.
    9. Christopher Humphrey, 2005. "'In the aftermath of crisis: Reflections on the principles, values and significance of academic inquiry in accounting': Introduction," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(2), pages 341-351.
    10. Beverley Jackling & Claude Calero, 2006. "Influences on Undergraduate Students' Intentions to become Qualified Accountants: Evidence from Australia," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(4), pages 419-438.
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    Cited by:

    1. Joana R. Casanova & Leandro S. Almeida & Francisco Peixoto & Rui-Bártolo Ribeiro & João Marôco, 2019. "Academic Expectations Questionnaire: A Proposal for a Short Version," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(1), pages 21582440188, January.
    2. Lee Pugalis & Anna Round & Tony Blackwood & Lucy Hatt, 2015. "The entrepreneurial middle ground: Higher education entry decisions of aspiring entrepreneurs," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 30(5), pages 503-519, August.
    3. Karlsson, Per & Noela, Massa, 2022. "Beliefs influencing students’ career choices in Sweden and reasons for not choosing the accounting profession," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    4. Iryna Zadorozhna & Olha Datskiv & Olena Shon, 2020. "Exploring Students’ Expectations of the University Course," Revista romaneasca pentru educatie multidimensionala - Journal for Multidimensional Education, Editura Lumen, Department of Economics, vol. 12(1Sup1), pages 293-303, March.

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