CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter of the paper presents the problem and its setting. It

includes the background of the study, the statement of the problem, the

significance of the study, and the scope and delimitation of the study.

Background of the Study

Accountancy is one of the most sought-after professions in the

Philippines, offering stable employment with long-term benefits (Zahidi,2023).

The career trajectory in accountancy is filled with opportunities for job and

salary growth. With a promising career trajectory, job roles, competitive

salaries, and opportunities for personal and professional growth, accountancy

graduates are well-positioned for success (McCartney, 2015).

The question is, do these facts hold true for GFI accountancy

graduates in the corporate sector? Shen (2018) previously uncovered that the

corporate world offers a wide range of opportunities for accountancy

professionals, from roles in multinational corporations to entrepreneurial

ventures. Given that, it is important to quantitatively analyze the status of GFI

accountancy graduates in the job market, including their employability, career

trajectories, and the alignment between their education and industry

requirements.
Statement of the Problem

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of

accountancy graduates from GenSantos Foundation College Inc. (GFI)

entering the job market. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence on

their career outcomes post-graduation. This study intends to quantitatively

analyze the labor market outcomes, career trajectories and skills utilization of

GFI accountancy graduates in the corporate sector by specifically examining:

1. What is the respondent’s profile in terms of:

1.1 Sex;

1.2 Age;

1.3 Employment Status; and

1.4 Year graduated?

2. What percentage of GFI accountancy graduates from the recent three

(3) consecutive years (S.Y 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024) are

employed in the corporate sector within one (1) year after graduation?

3. What percentage of GFI accountancy graduates from the recent three

(3) consecutive years (S.Y 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024)

secure employment in accounting-related jobs following completion of

their Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree, and conversely, what

percentage pursue unrelated career paths?

three (3) consecutive years (S.Y 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-

2024) in using the skills and knowledge acquired during their education

in their professional roles?

By addressing these questions, this study aims to provide a

comprehensive quantitative understanding of the professional landscape

encountered by GFI accountancy graduates through a tracer study and

identify potential areas for improvement in their professional progression and

career development.

Objectives of the Study

The primary objective of this study is to conduct a thorough analysis of

labor market outcomes, career trajectories and skills utilization among GFI

accountancy graduates in the corporate sector over the specified period. It

aims to examine the transition of these graduates from academic training to

professional employment, focusing on factors such as job placement, career

progression, and the alignment of their undergraduate education with the

demands and requirements of the industry. The study also seeks to identify

any variations in the career paths of graduates across different sectors and

provide valuable insights and recommendations for improving educational

programs and career support systems to better equip graduates for

of accountancy education in the corporate sector.

Significance of the Study

This study has the prospect to be able to unveil the labor market

outcomes, career trajectories and skills utilization of GFI accountancy

graduates. The result of this study may give favorable ramifications towards

the following:

Incoming Accountancy Students. The study can provide insights on

probable career routes and employment market outcomes for GFI

accountancy graduates, allowing incoming students to make more informed

decisions about taking a degree in accountancy. By knowing the usual career

paths of graduates, new students may develop reasonable professional

expectations and ambitions.

Outgoing Accountancy Students. The study can help outgoing students

plan their careers by highlighting common career trajectories and labor

market trends for GFI accountancy graduates. Knowing where previous

graduates have achieved success might assist outgoing students in

identifying prospective networking opportunities and employment.

The School (GFI). Integrating tracer studies into the evaluation of school

accreditation processes, the results of the study can guide the school in
updating and improving its accountancy curriculum to better align with

industry demands and trends. Positive labor market outcomes and career

trajectories of graduates can enhance the school's reputation and attract

more students to the program.

Business Entities. Businesses may receive useful insights about the

skillsets and career pathways of GFI accountancy graduates, which will aid

them in their recruitment and skills acquisition strategies. The research will

identify areas where businesses might work with the school to provide

internships, training, and career opportunities for students and graduates.

Researchers. The study may serve as a valuable dataset for researchers to

conduct further studies on labor market outcomes and career trajectories on

career success. Researchers might utilize the study's data to benchmark GFI

graduates' outcomes against those of other institutions, contributing to

broader academic discussions.

Future Researchers. The research gaps of this study might give rise to their

willingness to uncover truths involving accountancy graduates’ career

outcomes and paths. This tracer study may further be investigated to provide

new perspectives and results contributing to the existing body of knowledge.

BSA Teachers and Faculty. The study can help teachers and faculty

understand the real-world applicability of their teachings and make necessary

the study's findings to identify areas for their own professional development

and stay updated on industry trends.

Scope and Delimitation

This study will focus on analyzing the labor market outcomes, career

trajectories and skills utilization of accountancy graduates from GenSantos

Foundation College Inc. (GFI). This study will utilize quantitative cross-

sectional descriptive design and tracer study methodologies to investigate the

underlying outcomes of the graduates in the corporate world in a specified

time frame and area. Data will be collected from selected accountancy

graduates of GFI for the past three (3) consecutive years (S.Y 2021-2022,

2022-2023, and 2023-2024), employed or not, in different sectors, with

respect to their career choice.

This study will be limited only to selected GFI accountancy graduates

who are currently residing in General Santos City. Other than that limitation,

this study will determine other possible limits, which include data accessibility,

and the potential confounding factors to attest the labor market outcomes,

career trajectories and skills utilization of the aforementioned graduates.