Recent Developments in Private Sector Accounting Education in Russia

Abstract

Accounting education in Russia has undergone rapid changes since Russia started its transition from central planning to a market economy. Russian accountants have had to learn new terms and concepts such as transparency and full disclosure. Accountants at the large Russian enterprises and the independent auditors who audit them have had to become familiar with International Accounting Standards (IAS), since financial statements prepared using Russian Accounting Standards (RAS) are not credible to foreign investors. Efforts at learning have been hampered by the lack of good training materials and good instruction. The universities are upgrading their accounting curricula as resources permit, but such upgrades are of no help to practicing accountants who have already graduated from the university. The private sector has made attempts to fill this unmet need, with some degree of success. The present study, based on a series of interviews conducted in Russia during the summer of 2003, is the first to look at how the private sector provides accounting education in Russia. It summarizes the problems the Russian accounting profession faces and the solutions that are being found in the private sector.