Bridging the gap between the perceptions of accounting students and accounting practitioners : evidence from Ahlia University o Bahrain

Joint Authors

al-Rawahi, Fatimah Ibrahim Salim Sulayman
Saryah, Adil Muhammad

Source

ضمان جودة التعليم العالي : المؤتمر العربي الدولي الرابع المنعقد في رحاب جامعة الزرقاء / الأردن خلال الفترة 1-3 / 4 / 2014

Publisher

Zarka Private University Dcanship of Scientific Research

Publication Date

2014-04-30

Country of Publication

Jordan

No. of Pages

11

Main Subjects

Educational Sciences

Topics

• Universities
• Education
• Higher education
• Students
• Learning
• Accounting
• Attitudes
• Bahrain

English Abstract

Over the past two decades, professional accounting bodies, accounting practitioners and educators have criticized accounting education programs for failing to meet the demands of the changing business environment.

This failure by universities has created a gap between accounting practice and accounting education.

With the aim of increasing transparency, minimizing the gap between students, job seekers and practitioners this study sought the views of accounting practitioners and accounting students in Bahrain, regarding important competencies required for a career in accounting.

Data were obtained from 39 student attending the same university and 39 practitioners from various organizations using a survey.

The findings indicate that although there is an agreement between the perceptions of both groups, some significant gap still exists.

Basic accounting skill is rated as the most important professional skill by both groups.

While students felt that leadership is the least important skill; practitioners on the other hand felt that general knowledge is the least important.

The findings and conclusions of the paper have implications for accounting education in Bahrain.

Accounting graduates are not well-equipped to take an immediate part within many Bahraini employers’ business and must be trained extensively before becoming fully functional.

Data Type

Conference Papers

Record ID

BIM-515802

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