Educating professionals. Issue 1 (14th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prof. Grant Samkin, Ms. Annika Schneider, Assoc.; Lubbe, Ilse
• Is Part Of: Meditari accountancy research. Volume 22:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 107
• Page End: 127
• Publication Date: 2014-07-14
• Subjects: Accounting -- Periodicals; Finance -- Periodicals; 657.05
• DOI: 10.1108/MEDAR-02-2014-0031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-372X

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</title> <p> – The purpose of this study is to describe the multiplicity of the role of the Accounting academic as a knowledge agent: in terms of the discovery of new knowledge and its recontextualisation into pedagogy, as well as effective teaching and learning in the field of Accounting. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</title> <p> – Through a literature review and the collection of qualitative data (using purposive sampling), this study describes the Accounting academic's role as a knowledge agent, as viewed by Accounting academics and professional accountants, with the aim of providing insight into the tensions that exist in the education of professionals. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</title> <p> – The data collected in this study indicate that Accounting academics find themselves torn between their different roles: those of researcher and teacher. Accounting academics do not feel valued in their role as teachers, as at the university, more emphasis is placed and promotion is based on research, yet the Accounting profession places more value on their teaching and scholarship role. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Practical implications</title> <p> – There is an urgent need in professional Accounting education (trapped within a multiple principal paradigm) for some fundamental re-thinking of the focal point of research, and the knowledge agency of academe, particularly within a developing economy, such as South Africa. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</title> <p> – The value of this paper is in its identification and description of the tensions experienced in the education of professional accountants. The university and profession are urged to value, acknowledge and reward the multiple roles of Accounting academics.</p> </sec> </abstract>