The Relationship of Accounting Professional Competencies Affecting the Performance Efficiency of Financial and Accounting Officers in Government Educational Institutions under the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, Central Region

Abstract

                   The objectives of this study were to (1) study the accounting professional competencies and performance efficiency of financial and accounting officers in government educational institutions under the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, Central Region, and (2) analyze the relationship of accounting professional competencies that affect performance efficiency of financial and accounting officers. The samples were 148 financial and accounting officers referenced by Krejcie and Morgan (1970).  The research instrument was questionnaire. The data collected from questionnaire were analyzed by using descriptive statistics which were percentage, means, standard deviation, and multiple regression.

The findings revealed that the overall accounting professional competencies of the financial and accounting officers were at a high level. The highest average was in values, ethics, and professional attitudes followed by professional skills, practical experience, and technical knowledge . The results showed that the officers prioritized in ethics, trustworthiness and working responsibilities together with the development of knowledge and accounting technology. The overall performance efficiency of financial and accounting officers was also at a high level. Transparency had the highest mean, followed by the responsibilities, capabilities and working performance standards. These reflected the determination of the officers  towards accountability, transparency and reliabilities of financial data. The correlation analysis indicated that the four aspects of accounting professional competencies-technical knowledge of accounting, professional skills, values and professional ethics and accounting practicum-were positively correlated with the financial and accounting officers’ performance efficiency in statically significant at level .01 and variation of professional competencies in performance was at 54.4 %

The findings revealed the accounting professional competencies of the financial and accounting officers were at a high level.  Regarding these competencies,  professional values, ethics, and attitudes  had at the highest level, followed by professional skills, practical experience, and technical knowledge, and performance efficiency of financial and accounting officers respectively. Officers indicated prioritized ethics, honesty and responsibilities alongside the development of knowledge and accounting technology. Regarding performance efficiency, it was at high level. Transpency had the highest mean, followed by the responsibilities and capabilities adherence to performance standards, which affect accountabilities, transparency and reliabilities of financial data. The results of relationship indicated that four competencies -technical knowledge of accounting, professional skills, values and professional ethics and accounting practicum- were positively correlated with officers’ performance efficiency at .01 level of significance.