Title of the study:

Core Competencies of BSA graduates of NDMC: A self-assessment

Instruction: This is a four-part questionnaire. The first part asks about your personal information. The second part is
where you will assess your level of competence in three areas and the importance of the items enumerated to your job.
The third part is where you will rate the listed sources of competencies as to their importance. The last part is where
you will rank the identified top 15 issues and problems encountered in obtaining the core competencies. Please answer
the questions honestly and patiently.

PART I: Your Personal Information

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Year graduated (college):
Name of High School:
Type of School: ( ) public ( ) private, put a check beside your answer
Currently employed: ( )yes ( ) no, put a check beside your answer
If yes, select the area in accounting:
( ) Education ( ) Government ( ) Public practice ( ) Commerce and Industry

PART II: Your Competence

(Entry-level competence pertains to your personal assessment of your competence when you graduated from NDMC.)
Description
Rating
Entry-level competence Importance to your job
5 Highly competent Very important

4 Competent Fairly important

3 Uncertain important

2 Somewhat competent Slightly important

1 Not competent Not at all important

Core Competencies for Accountants Relative to Knowledge
Entry-level Importance
Competencies
competence to your job
A. General Knowledge

1. Knowledge and understanding of the different business cultures in the world and
developing international perspectives.

2. Knowledge and understanding of the English language and adaptability to foreign

business practices, level of trainability and good capabilities in dealing with foreign
partners.

B. Organizational and Business Knowledge

3. Knowledge and understanding on identifying economic events, accounting and

broad business financial risks and opportunities of an industry and economic sector.
4. Knowledge and understanding of the possible prospects or projections (mergers,
acquisitions, alliances, etc.) to an industry and economic sector.

5. Knowledge and understanding of different measurement approaches and techniques

that shall be used in measuring business and industry issues affecting the business
process, functions and practices.

6. Knowledge and understanding on identifying attributes or elements that should be

measured, and its objective presentation using the applicable reporting or disclosure
standards

7. Knowledge and understanding on identifying business problems and evaluating

potential solutions and alternatives using data, knowledge and insight.

8. Knowledge and understanding on identifying risks in an entity and evaluating

appropriate controls and safeguards to address such risks.

9. Knowledge and understanding on how to manage human resources within the

framework of an organization’s place in the industry and global market to improve
the organization’s efficiency.

10. Knowledge and understanding on how to manage financial (sources of capital)

resources within the framework of an organization’s place in the industry and global
marketplace to improve the organization’s efficiency.

11. Knowledge and understanding on how to manage physical and environmental

resources, and technology within the framework of an organization’s place in the
industry and global market place to improve the organization’s efficiency.

C. Information Technology (IT) Knowledge

12. Knowledge and understanding on up to date Information Technology (IT) practices
for business systems that fit specific business sector.

13. Knowledge and understanding on identifying and evaluating internal controls in

computer based systems.

14. Knowledge and understanding on developing standards on adaptation,

 implementation and use of Information Technology

15. Knowledge and understanding on managing security (measures) of IT information.

D. Accounting and Finance Knowledge

16. Knowledge and understanding of the nature of the accountancy profession

17. Knowledge and understanding of the preparation of financial statements and the
corresponding financial reporting accounting standards, local and its related
international.
18. Knowledge and understanding of the local and related international concepts of
fundamentals and advanced auditing standards.

19. Knowledge and understanding of local and related international cost management
and the latest concepts in management accounting and its use in planning decision-
making, and control.

20. Knowledge and understanding of local and related international recent tax laws, and
business and commercial laws.

21. Knowledge and understanding of the corporate finance and the Philippine capital
markets.
22. Knowledge and understanding of advanced financial accounting and financial
reporting standards such as environmental accounting and reporting.

23. Knowledge and understanding of corporate finance and the Philippine capital
markets, professional ethics and environmental accounting and reporting.

Core Competencies for Accountants Relative to Skills

Entry-level Importance
Competencies
competence to your job

A. Intellectual Skills

Analysis

1. Knowledge and capability to review interpret, evaluate financial data in order to

form conclusions, and or make recommendations on validity and compliance within
established policies, procedures, guidelines, agreements and or legislation.

2. Knowledge and capability to review interpret and evaluate business systems,

operational data and controls in order to form conclusions and or make
recommendations on validity and compliance within established policies,
procedures, guidelines, agreements or legislation.

Problem Solving

3. Knowledge and capability to discern or recognize the true nature of a situation or

problem based on relevant information and evidence.
4. Knowledge and capability to solve identified problem with applicable principles and
techniques with openness to constructive change and consideration of future
contingencies and developments.

Strategic/Analytical thinking

5. Knowledge and capability to link data, knowledge and insight together from
different from different sources and disciplines in making informed decisions.

6. Knowledge and capability to consider the “big picture” when making decisions, as
well as potential opportunities and threats to the vision, strategy, objectives and
culture of the organization.

B. Interpersonal

7. Capability to work in groups and being a team player by participating as a member

of the team and contributing to group effort.

8. Capability to build and maintain positive working relationship with others in a team
environment to ensure deadlines, goals and objectives are attained.

9. Capability to calmly listens, assess and clarify problems and respect and respond
with options to clients, co-workers, consumers, the public and other stakeholders,
who may be confused, upset or uncooperative.

10. Capability to create environment that recognizes supports, respects and welcomes
diversity of employees (co-workers) and clients.

C. Communication

11. Knowledge and capability to explain reports, financial and audit results verbally at a
level appropriate to the audience.

12. Knowledge and capability to explain reports, financial and audit results in writing at
a level appropriate to the audience.
13. Knowledge and capability to explain reports, statistical, administrative matters,
policies, procedures and regulatory matters verbally at a level appropriate to the
audience.
14. Knowledge and capability to explain reports, statistical, administrative matters,
policies, procedures and regulatory matters in writing at a level appropriate to the
audience.

15. Knowledge and capability to ask clear, concise and relevant questions (financial and
non-financial) to obtain desired information to perform a task or to negotiate
effectively.

16. Knowledge and capability to deliver powerful presentations, persuade or convince

other people, and negotiate effectively.
Core Competencies for Accountants Relative to Values
Entry-level Importance
Competencies
competence to your job
Integrity

1. Capability to distinguish and avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest and

advise all appropriate parties of any potential conflict.

2. Capability to be straightforward and honest in communicating unfavorable as well

as favorable financial and non-financial information, professional judgment and
opinions at all times.

3. Capability to distinguish and refrain from engaging in or supporting any activity

that would discredit the profession.

Objectivity and Independence

4. Capability to communicate financial and non-financial information to users fairly

and objectively.

5. Capability to communicate financial and non-financial information with proper

disclosures reasonably expected on the reports, comments and recommendations.

Professional and Competence Due Care

6. Capability to perform (professional) duties in accordance with relevant laws,
regulations and technical standards.
7. Capability to perform (professional) duties in accordance with relevant laws,
regulations and technical standards.

8. Capability to prepare objective and complete reports and recommendations only

after appropriate analysis of relevant and reliable information.

Confidentiality
9. Capability to distinguish and refrain from disclosing confidential information
acquired in the course of one’s work.

10. Capability to distinguish and refrain from using or appearing to use confidential
information acquired in the course of the work for unethical or illegal advantage
either personally or through third party.

Professional Behavior

11. Diligence and prudence in discharging (professional) responsibilities.

12. Capability to perform services to the best of your ability with concern for the best
interest of those for whom the services are performed and consistent with the
profession’s responsibility to the public.

13. Capability to perform (professional) responsibilities with self-discipline above and

beyond the requirements of laws and regulations and unswerving commitment to
honorable behavior, even at sacrifice of personal advantage.
14. Capability to distinguish between what is morally right or wrong.
 PART III: Your sources of competencies
Please rate yourself honestly.

Rate Description
5 Very important
4 Fairly important
3 Important
2 Slightly important
1 Not at all important

Sources of Core Competencies Sources of Core Competencies

Rate Rate

1 13 Student Organization Academic

On-job Training or Internship
Activities (Quiz bowls and the likes)

2 14 Team learning or Tutorials (Student to

Classroom Discussion
peer students)

3 15 Board exercises and classroom

Problem Solving
seatwork

4 16
Theory Questions Simulation

5 17
Lecture by Teacher Thesis or research study

6 Field exposure, immersion and 18 Use of videos and motion pictures

company visit during class discussion

7 19
Coaching (Teacher to Student) Individual reporting

8 20
Feasibility Studies Recitation

9 21
Training and Seminars Textbook assignments

10 Computer-based Activity (Hand-on 22

Group reporting
to Computers

11 23 Service community and social

Case or Situational Problems
involvement

12 26 Use of recordings during class

Practice-set or workbook exercises
discussions
 PART IV:
Issues and Problems Encountered in acquiring core competencies for accountants
Please rank the following with 1 as the most affecting and 15 as the least affecting.

Commonly identified issues and problems encountered in acquiring core competencies

Rank
for accountants based on prior studies
1 Lack of field exposure
2 Teaching strategy or technique is not sufficient
3 Lack of discussion on recent topics or subjects necessary to the profession
4 Strict BSA Retention Policy
5 Family Related/ Personal
6 Lack of activities that enhance critical thinking and analysis
7 Lack of seminars and trainings
8 Time requirement (class hour) is not sufficient
9 Huge Class Size
10 Lack of facilities (building, classroom, computers etc.)
11 Lack of faculty support
12 Lack of administrative support
13 Lack of Instructional materials and reference books
14 Fully loaded class schedules daily
15 Rapid changes in the subject matters of what are being taught

Note to the respondent: Thank you for responding positively to our invitation for you to become one of our respondents.
We acknowledge that you, by actively participating in our study, have contributed to the greater good of the society!
Thank you and God Bless.