FACTORS AFFECTING ACCOUNTING POLICY CHOICE: EVIDENCE FROM MANUFACTURING SMES IN HO CHI MINH CITY, VIET NAM

Authors

  • To Hong Thien Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade Corresponding Author
  • To Hong Han Hanoi University of Industry Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62985/j.huit_ojs.vol26.no3E.644

Keywords:

Accounting policy selection, SMEs, corporate image, financial statements, Viet Nam, regression analysis.

Abstract

This study investigates the factors influencing accounting policy choices among small and medium sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. Survey questionnaires were distributed to 196 enterprises, of which 156 valid responses were collected and analyzed. The data were processed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The findings identify six key determinants of accounting policy selection: corporate image toward external stakeholders, financial reporting information needs, firm characteristics, accounting staff competency, corporate image toward shareholders, and tax-related factors. The results indicate that all six factors positively influence accounting policy choices. Among them, corporate image toward external stakeholders exerts the strongest impact (β = 0.319), while tax related factors have the weakest influence (β = 0.169). The findings further reveal a shift in managerial priorities, emphasizing information transparency and corporate reputation over tax considerations. These results provide empirical evidence for policymakers and SME managers to improve accounting practices, enhance financial reporting quality, and strengthen stakeholder confidence.

References

[1] B. E. Cushing and M. J. LeClere, "Evidence on the determinants of inventory accounting policy choice," The Accounting Review, vol. 67, no. 2, pp. 355–366, Apr. 1992.

[2] C. Tzovas, "Factors influencing a firm’s accounting policy decisions when tax accounting and financial accounting coincide," Managerial Auditing Journal, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 372–386, 2006. doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/02686900610661397

[3] S. Fekete, Y. M. Damagum, R. Mustata, D. Matis, and I. Popa, "Explaining Accounting Policy Choices of SME's: An Empirical Research on the Evaluation Methods," European Research Studies Journal, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 33–48, 2010, doi: https://doi.org/10.35808/ersj/256

[4] N. M. Waweru, P. P. Ntui, and M. Mangena, “Determinants of different accounting methods choice in Tanzania: A positive accounting theory approach,” Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 144–159, 2011, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/20421161111138503

[5] M. Gurău, "Three types of accounting policies reflected in financial statements: Case study for Romania," 2014.

[6] Y. Ijiri, Theory of Accounting Measurement. Sarasota, FL, USA: American Accounting Association, 1975.

[7] K. MacNeal, Truth in Accounting. Philadelphia, PA, USA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1939.

[8] W. A. Paton and A. C. Littleton, An Introduction to Corporate Accounting Standards. Ann Arbor, MI, USA: American Accounting Association, 1940.

[9] A. C. Littleton, Structure of Accounting Theory. Sarasota, FL, USA: American Accounting Association, 1953.

[10] R. J. Chambers, Accounting, Evaluation and Economic Behavior. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA: Prentice-Hall, 1966.

[11] R. L. Watts and J. L. Zimmerman, “Towards a positive theory of the determination of accounting standards,” The Accounting Review, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 112–134, 1978.

[12] R. L. Watts and J. L. Zimmerman, Positive Accounting Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA: Prentice-Hall, 1986.

[13] M. C. Jensen and W. H. Meckling, “Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure,” Journal of Financial Economics, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 305–360, 1976, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/0304‑405X(76)90026‑X

[14] H.-L. Phan and H.-H. T. Huynh, “The role of management’s perceived usefulness of accounting information in enhancing accounting information quality…,” Asian Economic and Financial Review, vol. 15, no. 8, pp. 1198–1209, 2025.

[15] L. N. N. Nguyen Nguyen, “Các nhân tố ảnh hưởng đến sự lựa chọn chính sách kế toán tác động tới chất lượng thông tin báo cáo tài chính của doanh nghiệp xây lắp trên địa bàn tỉnh Quảng Ngãi,” Tạp chí Khoa học và Công nghệ Đại học Duy Tân, vol. 01, no. 56, pp. 113–119, 2023.

[16] A. T. Doan, B. T. H. Le, N. T. M. Le and L. A. Dang, “Factors Affecting Accounting Policy Choice: Evidence from Small and Medium Enterprises in Vietnam,” The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, vol. 9, no. 9, pp. 327–337, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2022.vol9.no9.0327

Downloads

Published

2026-08-31

Issue

Section

Economics

How to Cite

To Hong Thien, & To Hong Han. (2026). FACTORS AFFECTING ACCOUNTING POLICY CHOICE: EVIDENCE FROM MANUFACTURING SMES IN HO CHI MINH CITY, VIET NAM. HUIT Journal of Science, 26(3E), 2474. https://doi.org/10.62985/j.huit_ojs.vol26.no3E.644