Title:
PERFORMANCE IN CPA BOARD EXAMINATION: BENCHMARKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET MARKET DEMANDS

Authors:
Dr. Revenio C. Jalagat, Jr.

Abstract:
The objective of this study is to determine the performance of accounting graduates in CPA board examination: Benchmarking for the opportunities to meet market demands. A descriptive research design was used to pursue this study. The independent variables are: socio-demographic profile of the respondents; teachers profile, general subjects (Math, English, Professional Subjects); and other factors while the dependent variable is the actual performance in the CPA board examination. To gather the data, it utilized purposive sampling to 75 respondents of whom 56 graduate respondents and 19 teacher respondents. Questionnaires were distributed to the respondents after consent were obtained from the Deans of the three schools chosen for the study. Secondary data were also gathered like the actual CPA exam results from 2004-2009 and the QPIs of the graduate respondents. Frequencies and averages were used to describe the graduate respondents' socio-demographic profile, teacher's profile, tabulation of actual CPA exam results, QPIs, and the performance in general subjects. In order to test the hypotheses, correlation coefficient were used to establish the significant relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable as above-mentioned. Findings revealed that, there are significant relationships between the QPI, general subjects (Math, English and Professional Subjects); the teacher's rank; and the admission and retention policies to the performance in the CPA board examinations. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the respondent schools should take into consideration the students' QPI, general subjects, teacher's rank, admission and retention policies in continuing with the accounting program to ensure graduates with readiness to take the CPA board examination and conduct refresher courses. However, the need to conduct further studies to widen its scope with more respondents for more reflective outcomes.