Transformation of skills in the accounting field: the expectation–performance gap perceived by accounting students

Abstract

Addressing the discussion about accounting students’ readiness for future accounting work, this study aims to explore their perceptions of what kinds of gaps possibly exist between their expectations about the importance of various skills in professional practice and the level of skill development attained during accounting studies. The data for the study were collected using a survey of Finnish accounting students. The findings highlight the expected importance of several professional skills for future accounting work and emphasise the need for further development of technological skills in accounting education. The study’s results also show that students do experience gaps between their expectations and actual performance in various skill areas. The study extends the literature on such gaps by presenting accounting students’ perspectives concerning a comprehensive list of technical and professional skills, including skills related to emerging technologies, and offers suggestions about skill areas probably needing further emphasis in accounting education. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

Author Keywords

professional skills Accounting education Technological skills technical skills student perceptions expectation–performance gap

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations

LUT kauppakorkeakoulu, Lappeenranta, South Karelia, Finland

School of Business, Itä-Suomen yliopisto, Kuopio, IS, Finland

Funding & Acknowledgements

No funding information

References 10 References

1 Abayadeera, Nadana, The expectation-performance gap in generic skills in accounting graduates: Evidence from Sri Lanka, Asian Review of Accounting, 22, 1, pp. 56-72, (2014)

2 undefined, (2000)

3 Al Mallak, Mohammed Ali, Generic skills in accounting education in Saudi Arabia: students’ perceptions, Asian Review of Accounting, 28, 3, pp. 395-421, (2020)

4 Anis, Ahmed, Auditors’ and accounting educators’ perceptions of accounting education gaps and audit quality in Egypt, Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 7, 3, pp. 337-351, (2017)

5 Arquero, Jose Luis, Vocational skills in the accounting professional profile: The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) employers' opinion, Accounting Education, 10, 3, pp. 299-313, (2001)

6 Bakarich, Kathleen M., The robots are coming …but aren’t here yet: The use of artificial intelligence technologies in the public accounting profession, Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, 18, 1, pp. 27-43, (2021)

7 Banasik, Ewa, Are Accounting Programs Future-ready? Employability Skills, Australian Accounting Review, 31, 3, pp. 256-267, (2021)

8 Bayerlein, Leopold, Do accredited undergraduate accounting programmes in Australia meet the needs and expectations of the accounting profession?, Education and Training, 59, 3, pp. 305-322, (2017)

9 Berry, Reanna L., Soft skill change perceptions of accounting majors: Current practitioner views versus their own reality, Journal of Accounting Education, 53, (2020)

10 Biggs, John B., The revised two-factor Study Process Questionnaire: R-SPQ-2F, The British journal of educational psychology, 71, pp. 133-149, (2001)

Transformation of skills in the accounting field: the expectation–performance gap perceived by accounting students

How to Cite