BLOCKCHAIN-DRIVEN FINANCIAL REPORTING EDUCATION AND ITS IMPACT ON ACCOUNTING COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

The emergence of blockchain technology has significantly transformed global financial reporting systems by introducing decentralized transaction verification, transparency, and enhanced data security. Despite its growing adoption in financial institutions, blockchain literacy remains largely absent from accounting education curricula in many developing countries, thereby limiting students’ preparedness for emerging financial technologies. This study investigated the influence of blockchain-driven financial reporting education on accounting competency development among university students. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design involving 154 accounting students selected from two universities using purposive sampling techniques. The experimental group received blockchain-based financial reporting instruction using simulated distributed ledger platforms for a ten-week learning period, while the control group received traditional accounting instruction. Data were collected using Accounting Competency Assessment Tests and Blockchain Literacy Scales with reliability coefficients of 0.85 and 0.83 respectively. Data analysis involved independent sample t-tests, correlation analysis, and multiple regression modelling. The findings revealed a statistically significant improvement in accounting competency among students exposed to blockchain-based instruction compared with those taught using traditional methods (t = 4.96, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis also revealed a strong positive relationship between blockchain literacy and accounting competency development (r = 0.72, p < 0.01). Regression analysis further indicated that blockchain-driven financial reporting education significantly predicts accounting competency development (β = 0.47, p = 0.002), explaining approximately 66% of the variance in competency levels among students (R² = 0.66). The study recommends the integration of blockchain technology modules into university accounting curricula in order to prepare graduates for digital financial ecosystems. The study concludes that blockchain-driven financial reporting education significantly enhances accounting competency. and technological readiness among university accounting students.