University plans improved accounting program
A STUDY published by the Pacific Accounting Review on December 22, 2022 found that most employers considered local accounting graduates to be sufficiently knowledgeable in their field save for some lacking the confidence and proficiency to apply their knowledge to realworld scenarios in the workplace.
The paper, titled Graduate readiness for a professional career in accounting – an investigation of employers’ perspectives in Fiji was written by the head of the Accounting and Finance Department at The University of Fiji.
Sandhiya Roy conducted the research 2019 to 2020 to investigate the gap between the skills of accounting graduates and the expectations of employers, attempting in the process to find ways to bridge that gap at the tertiary education level.
The researchers collected and analysed data from employers at chartered accounting firms, large and medium-sized commercial and industrial firms in Fiji using the expectation–performance gap framework developed by Binh Bui of Macquarie University and Brenda Porter of the University of Exeter in 2010.
The study found that “majority of the employers indicated that graduates from the Fijian universities are adequately prepared and have acquired the necessary attributes to perform at the workplace. However, employers expect universities to do a little more in terms of developing confidence and improving ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practice”.
Ms Roy said her department would be utilising the findings to make changes to the accounting program structure.
“One of the aspects we are planning to implement in the near future is mandatory student internships.
“We are adopting strategies to build more awareness about workplace expectations and this is done at UniFiji through careers day and information sessions with prospective employers,” said Ms Roy.