Enhancing the accounting record keeping practices of advanced agricultural managers: Policy implications

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of agricultural management accounting information, education status, and policy demands through a questionnaire survey of advanced agricultural managers. These people are expected to play a key role in the changing agricultural environment in Korea. Based on survey results, several policy implications were derived for the advanced agricultural managers’ agricultural management accounting information record activation. Survey results of 303 respondents identified that 63.4% of them record their agricultural management accounting information. The biggest reason given for not recording this information was lack of time for record keeping. The biggest problem was a ‘lack of Question and Answer system’. In addition, 37.2% of the respondents were not aware of the current agricultural accounting guidelines. In terms of education, 71.3% of the respondents have completed course work in accounting and responded that an ‘On-off parallel education system’, which offers both online and offline classes, was the most effective method to prevent dropout. Respondents thought that agricultural management accounting records were helpful for the management of agriculture and their participation in government policies. They also thought that customized education programs should be further implemented for enhancing the effectiveness of education programs, and ‘One-stop Question and Answer system on related web sites and organizations’ is required for them to keep better records. The following policy implications can be derived from the survey results. First, interoperability between agricultural management accounting information recording programs is needed. Second, accessibility should be strengthened. Third, the education system needs to be improved. Fourth, voluntary participation should be encouraged. Last, the government needs to establish a post-verification system.