STUDENTS' PERCEPTION OF CLOUD-BASED ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE READINESS: A STUDY OF FINAL YEAR BUSINESS EDUCATION STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS

Abstract

This paper examined awareness, readiness and barriers to the adoption of cloud-based accounting
software by final-year Business Education students at the University of Lagos. A descriptive survey
kind of research was utilized wherein 67 students were sampled and a structured questionnaire
was used that had three sections; awareness about ten cloud based platforms, factors that affect
readiness and obstacles to adoption. Awareness was measured based on a binary scale (Aware or
Not Aware), whereas readiness and challenges were measured based on a four-point scale.
Analysis was done using percentages of awareness and mean standard deviation of readiness and
challenges. The results showed low awareness and majority of the platforms were found to have
low awareness of less than 35%. The moderately recommended readiness factors were
institutional support, internet connectivity and peer influence whereas challenge such as fear of
making mistakes, resistance to change and lack of training were strongly perceived. The
curriculum integration, institutional support, training workshops, and lower-stakes practice
environmental areas have been suggested as recommendations to improve digital competence and
employability.