Perception of Employers, Junior Auditors, Lecturers and Students on Accounting Graduate Employability as Junior Auditor

• In Event: Teaching Tools and Employment Readiness

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to conduct cross country study on graduate employability as junior auditor between Indonesia and Malaysia. A cross-country study is proposed because Indonesia and Malaysia are members of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) where AEC will transform ASEAN into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labor (including accountant), and freer flow of capital. We compare different perception between the employers, lecturers, junior auditors and students regarding: (1) perceived importance in employability skills and abilities; (2) perceived knowledge; (3) perceived personal qualities (4) job expectation; and (5) employers’ important hiring factors. In terms of skills and abilities, stakeholders in both countries agree that ability to work in a team, ability to work under pressure and analytical skills are on the top lists. All stakeholders in two countries agree that knowledge in professional standards for accounting and auditing reporting is the most important knowledge to possess as junior auditors. Indonesian and Malaysian stakeholders agree on three important personal qualities which are responsibility, professionalism and positive attitudes. Moreover, Malaysian employers perceive job security is the most expected by junior auditors, while in Indonesia, employers perceived the reputation of company as the most important job expectation. Finally, in hiring the applicants, the most influential factors perceived by all stakeholders are academic performance. Based on those findings, accounting education providers in both countries should improve their current curriculum to enhance the graduates’ employability in the future.

Authors

• Dyah Setyaningrum, Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia

• Dian Nastiti, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia

• Ancella Anitawati Hermawan, Universitas Indonesia

• Lee Teck Heang, HELP University