Graduate Student; Instructor of Accounting University of Southern Mississippi; Mississippi College
Abstract: Accounting professionals continue to claim there is a deficiency of individuals with the appropriate competencies to enter the accounting workforce (Pasewark, 2021; Richardson, 2020; Sandifer, 2018; Thomson, 2017). Also, recent trends indicate a need to increase the number of qualified accounting professionals who can pass the CPA Exam and enter the public accounting workforce (AICPA, 2021). There is a perception amongst Certified Public Accountants that accounting graduates lack the accounting competencies and employability skills expected of those entering the accounting profession (Richardson, 2020; Sandifer, 2018). This proposed quantitative, causal-comparative study expands on existing research by studying the impact of CPA's chosen career path of auditing or tax on their perception of the importance and attainment of required accounting competencies. This research contributes to Human Capital Development (HCD) and Human Resource Development (HRD) literature by providing insight into how individuals and employers can improve performance through enhanced education and training (Swanson & Holton III, 2009).
CPAs perceive that recent graduate students may lack the competencies to perform their jobs adequately (Richardson, 2020; Sandifer, 2018). The competencies employers continue to seek are skills centering around accounting knowledge and employability skills relevant to the accounting workforce (Richardson, 2020; Sandifer, 2018). Accounting competencies CPAs continue to deem relevant to the accounting workforce include knowledge surrounding items in the CPA exam, such as an understanding of auditing and attestation, the business environment and concepts, financial accounting and reporting, and regulation (Richardson, 2020; Sandifer, 2018). CPAs continue looking for technical and employability skills, including computer and interpersonal skills such as communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership (Sandifer, 2018).
Previous research focuses on the perceptions of CPAs and recent graduates of the importance and attainment of accounting competencies relevant to the workforce (Richardson, 2020; Sandifer, 2018). Demographic characteristics such as job responsibilities appear to affect respondents' perceptions of workforce readiness (Richardson, 2020). However, there is no significant understanding of the impact of CPAs' career paths on the perception of the accounting graduate's required competencies. Ideally, accounting graduates would have the workforce's required competencies (Richardson, 2020). Understanding the significance of the CPA's career path to their perception of the accounting graduate's level of competency may inform future education and training. This research aims to examine the relevance of CPA's chosen career path within a public accounting firm on their perception of the importance and attainment of the accounting graduate's competency.
The relevance of this research is to provide additional insight into designing workforce training and development relevant to specific career pathways. Understanding the effect of career pathways on the CPA's perception of competencies will also contribute to the knowledge educators may need to design courses to develop skills particular to a specified accounting career path (Richardson, 2020; Sandifer, 2018). This research may also inform students about the competencies CPAs deem relevant to a career path within the public accounting firm (Richardson, 2020; Sandifer, 2018).
This research adds to the HCD and HRD literature by examining competencies CPAs deem necessary for accounting graduates. The research will contribute to the HCD literature by demonstrating that investments in education and training increase an individual's value through acquiring new skills and knowledge (Becker, 1993). HRD theory believes individuals and organizations can improve performance through education, training, and development (Swanson & Holton III, 2009). This research will contribute to the HRD literature by examining the perception of CPAs for accounting graduates to attain the necessary competencies to enter the workforce.
This research will assist CPAs and educators in designing workforce training and development relevant to specific career pathways. Examining the effect of career pathways on the CPA's perception of competencies will also assist educators in implementing required CPA competencies into undergraduate and graduate programs (Richardson, 2020; Sandifer, 2018). Accounting graduates may understand relevant competencies to assist their employers in developing professional development programs to increase their competence relative to their career path. Current students may also benefit from this research by informing them of the competencies CPAs deem relevant to a career path within the public accounting firm (Richardson, 2020; Sandifer, 2018).
