Demographic Characteristics, Perfectionism, and Productivity Among Certified Public Accountants
Abstract
This study examined perfectionism as a predictor of productivity among Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Cavite. A total of 102 licensed CPAs participated, representing diverse demographics in terms of age, sex, civil status, educational attainment, years of experience, employment sector, and organizational position. Using a researcher-made survey questionnaire, data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression. Findings revealed that participants exhibited a high level of adaptive perfectionism (M = 4.540, SD = 0.507) and a neutral level of maladaptive perfectionism (M = 3.072, SD = 0.835). Productivity across five dimensions—task completion efficiency, accuracy in financial reporting, workload management, meeting deadlines, and adaptability to work demands—was consistently high. Correlation analysis showed that age, educational background, and years of experience were significantly related to productivity, while sex, civil status, type of employment, and position were not. Adaptive perfectionism was positively and significantly correlated with productivity (ρ = .427, p < .001) and emerged as the only significant predictor in regression analysis (B = 0.234, β = .281, p = .015). Maladaptive perfectionism demonstrated no significant relationship. These findings validate the Achievement Goal Theory and Cognitive Appraisal Theory, affirming that adaptive perfectionism—when characterized by high personal standards, motivation, and resilience—serves as a critical driver of productivity in the accounting profession.
Downloads
References
Cao, Y., & Zhang, H. (2021). The influence of perfectionism on workplace productivity in Asian industries. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 42(3), 345-362. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2581
Cardona, R. J., Rezaee, Z., Rivera-Ortiz, W., & Vega-Vilca, J. C. (2020). Regulatory enforcement of accounting ethics in Puerto Rico. Journal of Business Ethics, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10551-019-04137-4
Diokno, C. O. B., & Peprah, W. K. (2021). Application of technical and soft skills in the first job experience by accountancy graduates: Implications for accounting curriculum development. *Open Journal of Accounting*, 10(03), 111–124. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojacct.2021.103010
Dordunu, T., Singh, K., & Lee, M. (2020). Stress and perfectionism among accountants in high-pressure environments. International Journal of Accounting Research, 45(2), 212-229. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.2045568
Elliot, A. J., & McGregor, H. A. (2001). A 2×2 achievement goal framework. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80(3), 501–519. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.80.3.501
Elliot, A. J., & McGregor, H. A. (2001). Achievement goal theory and performance motivation: A psychological framework. Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(3), 345-367. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.93.3.345
Gioiosa, M. E., Meegan, C. M., & D'Aquila, J. M. (2024). Getting on Board with Certified Public Accountant Evolution: Re-evaluating a Financial Statement Analysis Project in Light of a Changing Profession. https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-07-2023-0184
Handoko, B., & Giok, G. M. (2021). Analysis of determinants of accounting student intention to take certified public accountant exam. The 2021 12th International Conference on E-business, Management and Economics. https://doi.org/10.1145/3481127.3481141
Harari, D., Swider, B. W., Steed, L., & Breidenthal, A. P. (2018). Is perfect good? A meta-analysis of perfectionism in the workplace. Journal of Applied Psychology. https://doi.org/10.33423/jabe.v24i4.5351
Kızıloğlu, M., Durna, U., & Acar, S. (2021). The effects of perfectionism on burnout and stress in financial professionals. International Journal of Finance & Economics, 48(2), 567-590. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijfe.2428
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer Publishing Company.
Mutlu, M. D., Makey, B. A., & Dalkılıç, E. (2022). Perceptions of accounting professionals regarding digitalization and remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Management and Economics Research, 20(4), 115–137. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/2585201
Palo, S., & Das, M. (2020). Perfectionist? You don’t need to sleep: An interplay of daytime sleepiness and task performance. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 38(2), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-020-00362-3
Sepehri, P., Azadi, K., Vatanparast, M., & Akbari, B. (2020). Presenting a model for optimized selection of certified public accountants based on compliance with code of ethics for professional accountants with personality trait approach. Journal of Behavioral Accounting & Finance, 5(1), 79-90. https://doi.org/10.7251/NOEEN2028047P
Sepehri, P., Azadi, K., Vatanparast, M., & Akbari, B. (2020). Presenting a model for optimized selection of certified public accountants based on compliance with code of ethics for professional accountants with personality trait approach. Journal of Behavioral Accounting & Finance, 5(1), 79-90. https://doi.org/10.7251/NOEEN2028047P
Sintadevi, N. P. R., Suarta, I. M., & Swintana, I. K. (2025). Digital transformation and its implications for professional accountants’ skills needs. Journal of Applied Sciences in Accounting, Finance, and Tax, 8(2), 89–101. https://ojs2.pnb.ac.id/index.php/JASAFINT/article/view/2695
Sitepu, C. D. S., Wahyudi, T., & Saftiana, Y. (2020). The Effect of Time Budget Pressure and Competence on Audit Quality with Audit Supervision as the Moderation Variable in Public Accounting Firms in South Sumatra. Accounting and Finance. https://doi.org/10.33146/2307-9878-2020-1(87)-158-164
Spagnoli, P., Caetano, A., & Santos, S. C. (2021). Perfectionism and job engagement: The role of self-efficacy. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 30(1), 75-89. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2021.1875417
Varma, P., & Malhotra, R. (2020). High-achieving professionals and burnout: The role of perfectionism. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 25(3), 456-472. https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000187
Wang, X. (2023). Research on the quality control system of China Audit Asia Pacific Certified Public Accountants LLP. Academic Journal of Management and Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.54097/ajmss.v5i1.13966
Wulan, D. F., Oktavia, R., & Syaipudin, U. (2024). Understanding the factors shaping public accountant’s interest between the accounting students. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Creative Economy, 4(1), 62–77. https://journals.researchsynergypress.com/index.php/ijebce/article/view/2078
Copyright (c) 2025 Randwick International of Education and Linguistics Science Journal

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.






















