Examining the Usefulness of an Accounting Work‐readiness Program as Perceived by Employed Program Graduates. Issue 3 (12th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Natoli, Riccardo; Jackling, Beverley; Jones, Asheley
• Is Part Of: Australian accounting review. Volume 28:Issue 3(2018:Sep.)
• Page Start: 345
• Page End: 355
• Publication Date: 2017-07-12
• Subjects: Accounting -- Australia -- Periodicals; Accounting -- Standards -- Australia -- Periodicals; Accounting -- Periodicals; Managerial accounting -- Periodicals; Corporations -- Finance -- Periodicals; 657.0994
• DOI: 10.1111/auar.12188
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1035-6908

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigates the usefulness of an Australian accounting work‐readiness program as perceived by international accounting graduates. Using logistic regression, the study reports the results of a survey of 186 graduates who completed the program in the period 2010–2013 and are now employed in either accounting or non‐accounting roles. The results show that graduates who were employed in an accounting role perceived internships and critical thinking skills to be the most useful curriculum components of the work‐readiness program in obtaining their employment. The findings have implications for various stakeholders, in particular educators and professional bodies involved in the curriculum design of the work‐readiness program. The government also has an interest in the value of this program as they grant visas for international students to study in Australia and fill a skills shortage in the profession. The results also provide insights for other Western economies that attract large numbers of international graduates as skilled migrants. Abstract : Graduates from the Skilled Migration Internship Program Accounting (SMIPA) cite internships as the most useful component for obtaining employment in the accounting industry. This result, although not altogether surprising, has implications for various stakeholders involved in the curriculum design of SMIPA.