Influencing Factors On Academic Performance In Bowen University: The Perceptions Of Accounting Undergraduate Students

The study examined factors affecting academic performance of accounting student in tertiary institution. Some of these factors like; age, gender and finance have been examined in literature. However, this study also employs the construct of religious activities and its impact on academic performance which most previous studies have not considered. A cross-sectional study design was adopted and primary data collated from one hundred and fifty three (153) Accounting students enrolled at Bowen University. Frequency, Mean, Standard Deviation, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to analyse data obtained from the questionnaire. The findings revealed that age and gender are not significant predictors affecting accounting student academic performance. Also, the study found that religious activities (Chapel attendance of 3 times per week) were significant in impacting accounting student academic performance as well as conducive learning environment. The research was conducted at the start of a new semester and not all students on the accounting programme had resumed. The study was also limited to one private Institution, further study could examine more private universities. The study adds to the existing literature on the value-relevance of social, educational and financial factors that influence accounting students' academic performance in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The study found that demographic, academic, financial and religious factors affect students' academic performance with variations. It is imperative for management of institutions to ensure conducive learning environment to help improve accounting student academic performance of students and also look into compulsory religious activities schedule.