What skills and attributes does an accounting graduate need? Evidence from student perceptions and employer expectations

TLDR

Stakeholders have debated for years the need for accounting graduates to acquire broader skills to pursue careers in the profession. The study examines students' and employers' perceptions and expectations of accounting graduate skills. The authors use mixed methods to investigate these perceptions and expectations. Students are increasingly aware of employers’ expectations for communication, analytical, professional, and teamwork skills, yet both parties report that essential non‑technical and professional skills are insufficiently developed in university programs, and employers still require strong accounting fundamentals and business awareness.

Abstract

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. Although 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 programmes.