Factors Affecting Accounting and Financial Practice in Agricultural Cooperatives in Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to (1) study factor related to characteristics of accounting and financial officers influencing their practice in agricultural cooperatives; and (2) study the general factor of agricultural cooperatives affecting accounting and financial practice. The population in this study was 3,613 cooperative officers who were the chiefs of accounting and financial division in agricultural cooperatives across the country, and 360 officers were selected as the sample. The research instrument used in this research was a questionnaire. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, namely frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Moreover, multiple regression was employed to analyzed characteristic factor affecting accounting and financial practice in agricultural cooperatives, and one-way ANOVA was used to analyzed general factor affecting accounting and financial practice in agricultural cooperatives. The findings of this research revealed factors affecting accounting and financial practice were as follows: (1) knowledge and understanding on accounting and finance; (2) concepts of accounting and finance; (3) accounting and finance procedures; (4) size of the cooperatives; and (5) availability of information technology. These factors had positive impacts on accounting and financial practice in agricultural cooperatives at the .05 level of statistical significance. In order for the accounting and financial division to be able to work efficiently and effectively, related authorities should advise and foster the cooperatives to use systematic accounting and financial management. Moreover, the cooperatives should be monitored, their work should be complied with laws, rules, regulations and the principles of good governance. These could lead to the strength, trustworthiness, and success of the organization.