WORK READINESS OF THE GRADUATES OF B.S.

IN ACCOUNTANCY

AND B.S. IN ACCOUNTING TECHNOLOGY OF

UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

An Accountancy Thesis
Presented to
University of Luzon
Dagupan City

In Partial fulfillment
of the requirements
in RES 11
(Principles and Methods of Research)

BY:

Chester Dave G. Arenas

Caselyn S. Arriola
Justine Ivy P. Bautista
Glycel S. Cerezo
Geneses A. Claveria
Jasvir Kaur Dol
Kent Alykhan C. Maguid
Rollejean A. Manganaan
Leica T. Viray

May 2018
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

APPROVAL SHEET

This accountancy thesis entitled “Work Readiness of the

Graduates of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Bachelor of

Science in Accounting Technology in University of Luzon” in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the subject Principles and Methods of

Research/RES 11 has been examined and found to be acceptable in form

and in content.

MR./MS._________________________

Member, Oral Examination Committee

MR./MS. ________________________

Member, Oral Examination Committee

DR. CARMELO JOHN E. VIDAL

Research Adviser

ii
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to put across our appreciation first and foremost to

God Almighty for life, knowledge and wisdom, and sustenance

throughout this journey.

We would like to express our deep and sincere gratitude to Dr.

Carmelo John E. Vidal and with the help of Mr. Darwin Juguilon, MBA

for influencing, teaching, and mentoring us to complete the research

successfully. Their motivation, dedication, and vision have deeply

inspired us. They taught us the methodology to carry out the research

and to present the works as clearly as possible. It was a great privilege

and honor to work and study under their guidance.

We are extremely grateful to our parents for their love, prayers,

caring and sacrifices for educating and preparing us for our future. They

are the ultimate role model for us to accomplish everything we do. This

work would not have been even possible without their financial support.

We would especially like to thank our fellow classmates and friends

for giving us insights, advices, and words of encouragement.

This research is not made possible without the help of everyone.

Accept our thanksgiving and appreciation.

iii
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

DEDICATION

The researchers would like to dedicate this study to all the people

who contributed in making this final output possible. First and foremost

to Almighty God, who has been our source of knowledge and wisdom.

Without Him, we couldn't be able to finish this final output.

The researchers also dedicate this to our family, friends and

classmates for their undying support, love, motivation, and inspiration.

The researchers also dedicate this study among themselves for all

the hard work and diligence in bringing up the study to its present state.

We would like to dedicate this research to the bright and thriving future

that await us.

And lastly, we would like to dedicate this research to those

students who are giving their best to do a research study.

The Researchers

iv
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

ABSTRACT

Title: WORK READINESS OF THE GRADUATES

OF B.S. IN ACCOUNTANCY AND B.S. IN

ACCOUNTING TECHNOLOGY OF

UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

Researchers: Arenas, Chester Dave G.

Arriola, Caselyn S.

Bautista, Justine Ivy P.

Cerezo, Glycel S.

Claveria, Geneses A.

Dol, Jasvir Kaur

Maguid, Kent Alykhan C.

Manganaan, Rollejean A.

Viray, Leica T.

Course: Bachelor of Science in Accountancy

School Year: 2017-2018

Institution: University of Luzon

Address of Institution: Perez Blvd., Dagupan City

Name of Adviser: Dr. Carmelo John E. Vidal

v
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

Background of the Problem

In the society, the demand for job availability in each profession

has always been a fresh start for new graduates. Identifying the right

person to fill a job vacancy has always been difficult. Our aging,

culturally diverse, and heterogeneous workforce has increased the

difficulty, and our globally competitive economy makes searching for

competent workers a more formidable task. Industrial revolution and

globalization expect graduates to be knowledgeable and equipped before

getting into the workplace. However, some fresh graduates particularly

BSA and BSAT often find it hard to explore their career due to their skill

deficiencies. In fact, the difficulties that graduates deal with entry level of

career negatively affects their level of confidence.

Accounting profession is in need to cutinize every now and then,

thus, high-profile corporations and firms have been eagerly looking for a

more decisive action by management, an emergence of new companies or

industries, and a requirement for new professional services and skills

(Kabanagh, 2016). As a result, employers are seeking a diverse range of

skills and attributes in new graduates in order to maintain a competitive

advantage, despite having a difficulty due to either declining number of

graduates who are eligible for entry level, or scarcity of skilled and

technical students and graduates in a certain demography (Birrell,

vi
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

2006). On a more recent news, new training concept and educational

background of new accounting graduates are set aside, while technical

and ethical skills and attitude are more appraised and valued

(Mohammed and Lashine, 2014). While capitalizing the new graduate

strengths such as independence and concern for public interest,

expectations of performance placed on accounting graduates are complex

and demanding requiring them to develop broader skills and be

committed to continuing professional development and lifelong learning.

(Cooper, 2002 & Houieson, 2003)

The purpose of this study is to assess the work readiness of UL

BSA and BSAT graduates to the work environment they are to face after

graduating by evaluating their level of competence , loyalty and

commitment to the goals and objectives of the organization, interpersonal

relations, capacity to grow and learn, general difficulties they encounter

and their coping mechanisms in the work environment. Lastly, this will

help the accounting graduates to mature behaviorally, technically, and

practically, as well as ethically before they enter into the corporate world.

vii
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to recognize how the graduates of BS

Accountancy and BS Accounting Technology of University Luzon are

ready for the work environment and how to deal with the work pressures

in their chosen career. Specifically, it sought to answer the following

questions:

1. What is the level of work readiness of the graduates of BSA & BSAT of

UL along the following areas:

a. competence;

b. loyalty and commitment;

c. interpersonal relations; and

d. capacity to grow and learn?

2. What are the general difficulties encountered by the respondents?

3. What are the coping mechanisms of the graduates in the work

environment?

4. What measures can be proposed to improve the work readiness of the

graduates?

Research Method Used

The researchers used descriptive survey method. Descriptive

research is used to obtain information concerning the current status of

the phenomena to describe “What is” with respect to variables or

viii
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

conditions in a situation. The method involved range from the correlation

study which investigates the relationship between variables, and to

developmental studies which seek to determine changes over time (Roy,

et Al 2016).

Descriptive method helped the researchers to plan and carry out

descriptive studies, designed to provide rich descriptive details about

people, places and other phenomena. This method pertains to extensive

observation and note taking as well as in- depth narrative. It aims at

casting light on current issues or problems through a process of data

collection that enables them to describe the situation completely.

(http:// research-methodology.net/descriptive-research)

This method tends to help researchers to assess and evaluate the

work readiness of the graduates of Bachelor of Science and Accountancy

(BSA) and Bachelor of Science and Accounting Technology (BSAT) of

University of Luzon in preparing them choosing their future career.

Summary of Findings

The study was conducted using a descriptive-survey method. The

researchers used survey-questionnaires using google forms to tabulate

data for easy navigation and accurate representation of gathered data.

1. The level of readiness of the graduates of BSA & BSAT in terms of

their competence revealed that they are equipped with almost

ix
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

enough core competencies and are categorized to be moderately ready

in terms of competing in the workplace for challenging jobs as well as

production inputs and outcome.

2. The level of readiness of the graduates of BSA & BSAT in terms of

their loyalty and commitment revealed that they are dedicated to

perform the work or tasks assigned to them on time, effectively and

efficiently and that they have a driven passion to work caused by good

environment provided by the company.

3. The level of readiness of the graduates of BSA & BSAT in terms of

their interpersonal relations revealed that they exercise the ethical

code in their workplace and has no problem meeting the standard

amount of social points especially in the field of moral, personal, and

ethical.

4. The level of readiness of the graduates of BSA & BSAT in terms of

their capacity to grow and learn revealed that they have enough

ability to grow and learn at a certain degree of experience in their

workplace and have a lot of room for improvement and is open for a

lot of opportunities.

5. On the general difficulties encountered by the graduates, it reveals

that there are a number of difficulties encountered by the graduates

in the corporate world. A good number of difficulties came from social

x
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

problems such as coping up with co-workers and building a

connection. This part comprises quarter of a variety of problems

encountered. This means that social aspect should be enhanced

through experience before working. Having general difficulties

encountered by fresh graduates in the workplace makes it a lot easier

for the future employees to picture out differences and be ready in any

aspect of the workplace.

6. The coping mechanisms encountered and applied by the graduates’

highlights that there are certain ways that are being used by the

graduates and certain fields that are being magnified to improve

perspective in working environment and to be able to create a sound

and just events relating to the corporate world. The UL-BSA and UL-

BSAT have developed techniques that mostly fit in the corporate world

and based on the results coping mechanisms used are mainly that of

a socially-inclined skills like communicating, social interaction and

intrapersonal relations. This gave light and connected the dots on the

difficulties encountered by graduates in the workplace. Social

communication is a good way to build network and trust, and based

on the finding during the survey, it makes up most of the remedies for

flaws and struggles in the workplace.

xi
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

Conclusions

Based on the foregoing findings, the following conclusions are

drawn:

1. The level of readiness of UL BSA & BSAT graduates are

moderate based on all the factors given. A good start would be

to show eagerness to learn or perform beyond what is expected

of them for a smooth transition from college to work.

2. UL BSA & BSAT graduates are socially-challenged in entering

and working in the workplace. Struggles involved social

manifestations and these obstacles are overcome by dealing

with it head-on. Furthermore, the result of the study includes

coping mechanisms which are drastically socially-inclined

which gives the answer to those difficulties encountered.

3. The UL BSA & BSAT graduates coped up well based on the

results from the gathered inputs. Majority of the respondents

ventured properly with work readiness because they are

equipped in terms of soft skills required .Soft skills such as self-

management, communication skills and confidence. Stress is a

constant thing while trying to adjust though majority of the

respondents have exercised positivity towards a new culture.

xii
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

Moreover, these practices help graduates to moderately

overcome the challenges in the work environment.

Recommendation

Based on the stated findings and conclusions, the following

recommendations are being hypothetically generated:

The researcher determined the practices of a UL-BSA and BSAT

graduates to face the challenges of work environment. The supposed

practices on how to cope up and be working ready should be presented

to Administrators of the Universities for further evaluation. They

should build elevated apprenticeship programs in different industries in

relation to accounting profession to expose them more in the corporate

environment even the graduates are moderately ready at least it continue

to be modest and improved to be highly ready which will not fall under.

They should also strengthen the conduct of seminars by focusing on

developing interpersonal relationships in the workplace. Furthermore

they should provide standards on choosing the company for internship

given by the students which should be evaluated for assurance to endow

a quality practice in the profession. Also Management and Employees

should be pleasant in welcoming the new comers, so that intimidations

would further be eluded. Furthermore future young Professionals of BSA

and BSAT should attend seminars, conference, and conventions to

xiii
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

develop their abilities and handle tasks more efficiently. They should also

know what the culture of the company through searching “what about”

in order for them to give an idea of the work environment. By that it

should developed enough robustness in view of the fact that in

conditions that jobs and atmosphere in the workplace are demanding

and impressions are too disappointing, respectively would be conquered.

The study is conduct to further highlight the significance of

attaining harmonious workplace, especially to those first timers in the

corporate world and much more detailed specifications on how to prepare

for the employment. Therefore, the researchers concluded the practices

of a UL-BSA and BSAT graduates in preparation to work setting. The

supposed practices on how to cope up and be working ready should be

presented also to Future Researchers for them to give an idea what the

researchers established and for them to be facilitated and be conducted

for their references.

xiv
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Title i
Approval Sheet ii
Acknowledgement iii
Dedication iv
Abstract v
List of Tables xviii
List of Figures xix

CHAPTER 1: THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND 1

Rationale 1

Statement of the Problem 5

Scope and Delimitation 5

Significance of the Study 6

Definition of Terms 8

CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND 11

STUDIES

Conceptual Literature 11

Research Literature 17

Synthesis 27

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH DESIGN 32

Research Method Used 32

xv
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

Locale of the Study 33

Respondents of the Study 36

Data Gathering Instrument 36

Data Gathering Procedure 37

Statistical Treatment of Data 38

CHAPTER 4: DATA PRESENATION, ANALYSIS AND

INTERPRETATION 41

Level of Readiness of UL BSA & BSAT graduates

Competence 41

Loyalty and Commitment 43

Interpersonal Relations 45

Capacity to Grow and Learn 47

General Difficulties 50

Coping Mechanisms 51

CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENADTION 53

Summary of Significant Findings 53

Conclusion 56

Recommendation 57

xvi
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

Bibliography 59

Appendices 64

Letter of Permit 64

Sample Survey Questionnaire 65

List of Graduates 69

Demographic Profile 89

Level of Readiness of UL BSA & BSAT graduates in 91

Competence 91

Loyalty and Commitment 92

Interpersonal Relations 93

Capacity to Grow and Learn 94

Curriculum Vitae 95

xvii
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1 Level of Readiness of UL BSA & BSAT graduates 42

in terms of their Competence

Table 2 Level of Readiness of UL BSA & BSAT graduates 44

in terms of their Loyalty and Commitment

Table 3 Level of Readiness of UL BSA & BSAT graduates 46

in terms of their Interpersonal Relations

Table 4 Level of Readiness of UL BSA & BSAT graduates 49

in terms of their Capacity to Grow and Learn

Table 5 Frequency table of General difficulties 50

encountered by the graduates

Table 6 Frequency table of coping mechanisms of the 51

graduates in the work environment

xviii
 University of Luzon
College of Accountancy
Dagupan City

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1 Site Map of University of Luzon 35

xix