Embedding generic employability skills in an accounting degree: development and impediments

Stoner, G. and Milner, M. (2010) Embedding generic employability skills in an accounting degree: development and impediments. Accounting Education, 19(1-2), pp. 123-138. (doi: 10.1080/09639280902888229)

Abstract

This paper explores and analyses the views of, and effects on, students of a project that integrated the development of employability skills within the small group classes of two compulsory courses in the first year of an accounting degree at a UK university. The project aimed to build, deliver and evaluate course materials designed to encourage the development of a broad range of employability skills: skills needed for life-long learning and a successful business career. By analysing students' opinions gathered from a series of focus groups spread throughout the year, three prominent skill areas of interest were identified: time management, modelling, and learning to learn. Further analysis highlighted the complex nature of skills development, and brought to light a range of impediments and barriers to both students' development of employability skills and their subject learning. The analysis suggests the need for accounting educators to see skills development as being an essential element of the path to providing a successful accounting education experience.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stoner, Professor Greg and Milner, Mrs Margaret
• Authors: Stoner, G., and Milner, M.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General); L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Accounting and Finance
• Journal Name: Accounting Education
• ISSN: 0963-9284
• ISSN (Online): 1468-4489
• Published Online: 18 March 2010
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2010 Routledge
• First Published: First published in Accounting Education 19(1-2):123-138
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher