Working in teams: An examination of the variables that improve team performance in accounting students

Abstract

The accountancy profession requires professional accountants to acquire skills such as intellectual skills, technical and functional skills, personal skills, interpersonal and communication skills, and organizational and business management skills. In the academic environment, accounting students are often required to work in teams and may therefore acquire some of these skills, for example, the ability to work in a collaborative environment and better interpersonal skills.The paper examines the internal and external factors that may influence the performance of accounting student teams. The data was collected in a questionnaire survey and then analysed to determine what factors influence team performance. To operationalize performance, team members’ willingness to continue working together and the team’s mark were used. Results indicate that factors such as meeting management skills and interpersonal skills have a positive effect on the students’ satisfaction with the team and that interim feedback has a positive effect on students’ performance.