Reasons for Low Pass Rates in Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Tax Law Amd Practice at the Chitungwiza/Harare Region of the Zimbabwe Open University
FACULTY OF COMMERCE AND LAW(DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND FINANCE)
RESEARCH TOPIC: A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE REASONS For LOW PASS RATES IN MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING AND TAX LAW AND PRACTICE- BACHELOR OF COMMERCE IN
ACCOUNTING, BANKING AND FINANCE AT THE HARARE AND CHITUNGWIZA REGION OF THE ZIMBABWE OPEN UNIVERSITY.
ABSTRACT:
Background:
A study of the results of Management Accounting and Tax, Law and Practice for the past three semesters revealed average pass rates of 33 and 35% respectively.These low pass rates triggered the desire for the researcher to carry out a study to find out the reasons behind this state of affairs.
Literature Review:
In France and the U.K. it was generally agreed that students found the concepts of these subjects difficult to grasp. They also did not apply themselves seriously to the task of studying.
The AICPA Topline Report (2008) found out that 100% of Accounting Educators and 79% of Accounting Practitioners with accounting degrees would not study the same if they had to do it all over because there were other degrees that were more relevant to the business world. It was felt that the current syllabi were outdated and out of sync with the outside world.
Methodology:
We gave out 35 questionnares at random split 30 to students and 5 to lecturers out of a population of 117.This gave us a significant 33% sample size.
Findings and Analysis:
Students:
The research showed that students thought modules were inadequate and outdated, poor quality lecturers, lack of reading time, financial constraints and poor ZOU administration as some of the compelling reasons for this state of affairs.
Lecturers:
The lecturers thought students frequently missed tutorials, came for tutorials ill prepared ,did not study notes ,crammed for exams and did not use the library for extra reading as well as they should, as some of the obvious reasons for their demise
Conclusions and Recommendations:
RESEARCH TOPIC: A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE REASONS For LOW PASS RATES IN MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING AND TAX LAW AND PRACTICE- BACHELOR OF COMMERCE IN
ACCOUNTING, BANKING AND FINANCE AT THE HARARE AND CHITUNGWIZA REGION OF THE ZIMBABWE OPEN UNIVERSITY.
ABSTRACT:
Background:
A study of the results of Management Accounting and Tax, Law and Practice for the past three semesters revealed average pass rates of 33 and 35% respectively.These low pass rates triggered the desire for the researcher to carry out a study to find out the reasons behind this state of affairs.
Literature Review:
In France and the U.K. it was generally agreed that students found the concepts of these subjects difficult to grasp. They also did not apply themselves seriously to the task of studying.
The AICPA Topline Report (2008) found out that 100% of Accounting Educators and 79% of Accounting Practitioners with accounting degrees would not study the same if they had to do it all over because there were other degrees that were more relevant to the business world. It was felt that the current syllabi were outdated and out of sync with the outside world.
Methodology:
We gave out 35 questionnares at random split 30 to students and 5 to lecturers out of a population of 117.This gave us a significant 33% sample size.
Findings and Analysis:
Students:
The research showed that students thought modules were inadequate and outdated, poor quality lecturers, lack of reading time, financial constraints and poor ZOU administration as some of the compelling reasons for this state of affairs.
Lecturers:
The lecturers thought students frequently missed tutorials, came for tutorials ill prepared ,did not study notes ,crammed for exams and did not use the library for extra reading as well as they should, as some of the obvious reasons for their demise
Conclusions and Recommendations:
References: Business Week(2000).”Where have all the Accountants Gone?” Chitate T. “Tax, Law and Practice” ZOU Module TLP201(2003). http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/148007922.html(26/Feb/2010. Paradza P.M. “Management Accounting” volume1 ZOU Module ACCT202(2004). Paradza P.M. “Management Accounting” volume2 ZOU Module ACCT202(2004). Paradza P.M. “Financial Accounting 3” volume 1 ZOU Module ACCT201(2004). Paradza P.M. “Financial Accounting 3” volume 2 ZOU Module ACCT201(2004). http://sae.epfl.ch/page21944.html(01Mar/2010). Tax Knowledge for Undergraduate Accounting Majors: Conceptual v. Technical-(2005).