Esential skills for accounting graduates: the accounting practitioner's pespective

Abstract

This study was undertaken to collect the views of practicing accountants in Botswana on a number of skills considered essential for any gradute in Accounting. Questionnaires were delivered to 250 accountants employed by various organisations in the country. Responses were received from 69 practicing accountants. These accountants were of the view that Accounting lecturers tend to be out of touch with market and competitive expectations because they are isolated from business professionals. Of the essential skills expected for accounting graduates, financial accounting was found to be the most critical technical skill, knowledge of Accounting packages and spreadsheet software were the most critical IT skills, and analytical/critical thinking was found to be the most critical vocational skills. The study concludes that tertiary institutions should try to design their curricula to ensure that their accounting graduates possess the essential skills in the Botswana market.