Cloud Computing Adoption in Corporate Accounting: An Exploratoty Study of Application Status and Critical Barriers in Vietnam

This study presents the first quantitative survey in Vietnam exploring the status of cloud computing (CC) adoption in corporate accounting and quantifying the influence of critical barriers. Based on data collected from 199 enterprises across various sizes and sectors, the findings reveal that the public cloud (SaaS) model dominates, reflecting a trend towards cost optimization and flexibility in accounting management. Regarding the level of application, CC is most widely deployed in the function of document storage and management, but is significantly restricted for specialized functions such as data analytics and forecasting. The research identifies and quantifies the two most severe challenges, as assessed by experts, which are concerns about information security and the risk of data loss/exposure from the provider, and an unclear legal framework regarding data responsibility. These findings provide essential scientific groundwork for proposing strategic solutions: The government should prioritize completing the legal framework on data sovereignty in the cloud, while enterprises must focus on investing in human resource training with analytical skills and establishing robust internal security policies to fully leverage the potential of CC in enhancing the efficiency and transparency of accounting practices.