Solving Accounting Problems: Differences Between Accounting Experts and Novices

In this study, the author investigated the extent to which accounting experts and accounting novices differ in their application of accounting principles to solve accounting problems. Results show that 90 accounting experts applied more accounting principles in solving problems than did 60 accounting novices. There were no important differences in the type of accounting principles applied to problem facts and no meaningful correlations between the importance placed on problem facts and the number of principles applied to those facts. Finally, there were no correlations between the number of principles applied to problem facts and the number of breadth comments applied to those facts. Implications for further research are discussed.