Parental and Peer Influences upon Accounting as a Subject and Accountancy as a Career

 Abstract—The study sought to investigate the level of influence between parents and peers of Malaysian school students in selecting their career choice as accountants. The study used a mixed approach of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The sample comprised of 309 secondary school students studying accounting principle or commerce subject as respondents to this research. The findings revealed that parents, mothers, in particular are more influential in career choice of the secondary school students compared to their peers. The study discovered that parents' educations have no influence over their children's choice of career. The findings from his study will help teachers and educators have a greater sensitivity to, and a better understanding of the impacts parents and peers' influence have on school students' career choice, as accountant is a worthy profession for them to venture into.