Competencies for the introductory accounting sequence

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the competencies demanded and supplied by the introductory accounting sequence. A random sample of Accounting faculty was surveyed to determine the topic coverage believed to be important to students majoring in accounting and the extent of conceptual knowledge and technical ability that accounting majors should achieve for each topic. To provide greater insight, the results of this survey were compared to the results of a survey of Finance, Management and Marketing faculty that used the same research instrument. Among the findings is that the most important competencies demanded by Accounting faculty are those related to financial accounting topics. The competencies demanded by Finance faculty are most closely aligned with those demanded by Accounting faculty, while Management and Marketing faculty demand more competencies related to managerial accounting topics. These and other findings should prove useful in the design and development of the introductory accounting sequence.