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The Soft Skills of Accounting Graduates: Perceptions versus Expectations

The Soft Skills of Accounting Graduates: Perceptions versus Expectations

Authors :
Dolce, Valentina
Emanuel, Federica
Cisi, Maurizio
Ghislieri, Chiara
Source :
Accounting Education. 2020 29(1):57-76.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

In recent years, changes in business, new technology, and greater competitiveness and dynamism have all resulted in a need for new skills. This study focuses on soft skills in accounting education, exploring the viewpoints of both graduates and employers. Our main question is to better understand if there is a right match between graduates' perceptions and companies' expectations of the skills that are needed. 251 Italian graduates (Department of Management) and 74 Italian joint-stock companies completed a self-report questionnaire. Graduates attributed a higher level of importance to the following macro-areas of skills: task orientation, motivation, self-awareness, valorisation, and interpersonal relationships. Graduates, compared to companies, underestimated the importance of other soft skills and one specific technical skill, and overestimated other technical skills. Graduates' views are partially in accordance with employers' views; accounting education still needs to progress and the engagement of academics is fundamental to enhance the skills required by employers.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0963-9284
Volume :
29
Issue :
1
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Accounting Education
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1240851
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research<br />Tests/Questionnaires
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2019.1697937