Factors affecting female SHS students’ decision to pursue accounting as a career: Evidence from some selected schools in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis

Abstract

The continuous decline in female students’ enrolment in accounting courses in Ghana has been witnessed and attributed to various factors. It is in this light that, the study seeks to assess the factors that influence female students in pursuing a career in accounting among Senior High Schools within the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis. The study employed the quantitative approach and descriptive research design due to its research objectives. A sample size of 136 respondents were randomly chosen to participate in the data collection exercise, but 132 respondents with a 97.1 percent response rate were used for the study. The study employed the descriptive tools such as frequencies and percentages in analysing data obtained from structured questionnaires. The study found that, motivation is the major personal factor influencing female students to pursue accounting careers. It was also found that, a role model is the major reference factor who influences female students accounting career choices. In this regard, the study recommended that, a good emphasis of accounting should be promoted in SHSs in Ghana, especially those within Sekondi-Takoradi, in order to motivate female students to pursue accounting careers.