Information Technology Requirements for Newly Hired Management Accounting Graduates

• In Event: Management Accounting

Abstract

Management accountants work in a computerized workplace with information technology being used for financial ledgers and reporting. Thus, the role of the management accountant has shifted from capturing and recording transactions to analyzing business issues. The purpose of this paper is to determine what employers require newly hired management accounting graduates to have in terms of information technology knowledge and skills. We examined the management accounting curriculum literature along with pronouncements from relevant professional associations. CFOs at some of the largest New Zealand firms were interviewed. We found that these CFOs were consistent on the information technology knowledge and skills required by management accounting graduates. In particular they emphasized intermediate proficiency with some Microsoft tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and familiarity with the structure and navigation of an ERP system to be able to process transactions such as accounts receivable or accounts payable. Of those requirements Excel for analysis was by far the most important. Our contribution challenges the educational literature and the professional associations by clarifying what educators should provide to management accounting students. We explain the importance of surveying practitioners when developing management accounting curricula for fast changing practice, and by showing that practitioners are much more likely to respond when they are asked for their opinions than for facts about their firms.

Authors

• Chris Akroyd, The University of Auckland

• Davood Askarany, The University of Auckland

• Winifred O'Grady, The University of Auckland

• Gary Spraakman, York University