A critical thinking competency framework for accounting students

Abstract

ABSTRACT Critical thinking is considered a vital skill in the twenty-first century workforce, yet it is still viewed as an under-developed skill in accounting students. This exploratory study set out to explore the critical thinking competencies required of accounting students. To achieve this, a qualitative research methodology was followed by firstly identifying critical thinking competencies as part of a review of the literature. Terms, concepts, skills, attributes, dispositions and abilities needed for critical thinking in general were identified from seminal works on critical thinking, and then progressively analysed by the researchers to group similar concepts. Secondly, the principles of interactive qualitative analysis (IQA) were applied to obtain participants’ views on the critical thinking competencies required of accounting students. This study provides a comprehensive critical thinking competency framework suitable for the changing environment in which accountants need to function to remain relevant in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.