Objective - The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between prior academic performances at the secondary school level with passing professional accounting examinations.

Methodology/Technique - Data for this research was extracted from the database of the Department of Professional Accounting Studies, Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA. University Teknologi MARA or UiTM is the only local university offering professional accounting courses by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and is a Platinum Approved Learning Partner with ACCA. Data was extracted on the students' success in completing ACCA, together with results of the secondary school examination Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). The population used in this study included students who had either successfully completed or did not complete their professional studies at the university. The sample consisted of 780 students, of which 400 had not successfully graduated and 380 had successfully graduated. Data from 780 students were used for the statistical analysis.

Findings - The study found that for successfully completion of professional accounting examinations, receiving distinction in Additional Mathematics during SPM, scoring a maximum number of A's, and starting from the science stream were highly significant.

Novelty - This research is significant as it contributes to the literature on professional accounting education. It may be used to review prerequisites for entering professional accounting courses, which would help increase the number of professional accountants in Malaysia.

Type of Paper: Empirical

Keywords: Professional Accounting Qualifications; Success; Secondary School Performance; Examinations; English; Mathematics; Science; Malaysia

JEL Classification: M30, M31, M41.