Header image

Keys for success in a digital age: Employer views about graduate accounting skills

Tracks
Crystal 1
Monday, July 1, 2024
10:00 AM - 10:25 AM

Presenter

Agenda Item Image
Assoc Prof Meredith Tharapos
Associate Professor
RMIT University

Keys for success in a digital age: Employer views about graduate accounting skills

Abstract

The contemporary world of world has shifted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, demanding new skills of those who operate within it. The role of an accountant has evolved to not only adjust to this environment, but also to incorporate a greater range of emerging technologies. The aim of this study was to identify the knowledge and skills needed by graduates for contemporary accounting roles, as identified by employers, with a focus on change pursuant to both the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and new emergent technologies. Data collection comprised 20 in-depth interviews with employers from a range of Australian organisations. Our findings indicate that the skills required by employers of accounting graduates have expanded to reflect recent developments, with a stronger emphasis on professional skills, business skills and an ability to effectively utilise the latest technologies. Our study contributes to accounting education literature by elucidating the skills required by accounting gradates in the contemporary business environment. Furthermore, our findings have several implications for policy and practice.

Biography

Meredith is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Accounting Department at RMIT University. Meredith’s research is broadly concerned with behavioural issues within the field of accounting, and includes educational, cultural and accountability aspects. Her research interests include cultural diversity management, student satisfaction, graduate employability, transnational education and accountability. Meredith’s award-winning student-centred teaching approach, underpinned by her research surrounding cultural intelligence, is based around the generation of a supportive and inclusive learning environment. She is passionate about creating active, applied and authentic educational experiences for her students. Meredith's teaching has been recognised through the receipt of numerous awards including an RMIT University "Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning". Meredith has convened the RMIT Accounting Educators’ Conference for the previous six years and is a committee member of the Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand (AFAANZ) Accounting Education Special Interest Group. She holds editorial roles on several international accounting education journals and is an active member of accounting professional bodies CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).

Chair

James Wakefield
Associate Professor
University of Technology Sydney


Discussant

Agenda Item Image
Scott Copeland
Program Director / Senior Lecturer
University of South Australia

loading