What skills and attributes does an accounting graduate need? Evidence from student perceptions and employer expectations
Article
Article Title | What skills and attributes does an accounting graduate need? Evidence from student perceptions and employer expectations |
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ERA Journal ID | 19059 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Kavanagh, Marie H. (Author) and Drennan, Lyndal (Author) |
Journal Title | Accounting and Finance |
Journal Citation | 48 (2), pp. 279-300 |
Number of Pages | 22 |
Year | 2008 |
Publisher | John Wiley & Sons |
Place of Publication | Australia |
ISSN | 0810-5391 |
1467-629X | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-629x.2007.00245.x |
Web Address (URL) | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-629X.2007.00245.x |
Abstract | For some years there has been much debate between various stakeholders about the need for accounting graduates to develop a broader set of skills to be able to pursue a career in the accounting profession. This study uses mixed methods to examine perceptions and expectations of two major stakeholders: students and employers. Findings indicate that students are becoming aware of employers’ expectations in terms of communication, analytical, professional and teamwork skills. While employers are still expecting a good understanding of basic accounting skills and strong analytical skills, they are also requiring ‘business awareness’ and knowledge in terms of the ‘real world’. Both students and employers report that many of the ‘essential’ non technical and professional skills and attributes are not being developed sufficiently in university accounting programs. |
Keywords | education of accountants; key attributes and skills; student perceptions; employer expectations; skill gaps |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 350199. Accounting, auditing and accountability not elsewhere classified |
520104. Industrial and organisational psychology (incl. human factors) | |
390103. Economics, business and management curriculum and pedagogy | |
Public Notes | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Byline Affiliations | School of Accounting, Economics and Finance |
Queensland University of Technology |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9ywyv/what-skills-and-attributes-does-an-accounting-graduate-need-evidence-from-student-perceptions-and-employer-expectations
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