AAA Spark Meeting of Regions

21st Century Skills in an Introductory Tax Course

• In Event: Effective Learning Strategies Poster Session A
  In Poster Session: Room 1

Abstract

College learning outcomes valued by employers include communication, critical thinking, and the ability to apply classroom learnings to the real world. I would like to share an assignment that I use in my introductory tax class that focuses on these skills. For this assignment, the students are asked to prepare the year-end tax journal entry. They have access to the trial balance, selected general ledger accounts, and book income. They are required to reach out via email to various client employees if they need additional information to prepare the journal entry. I build into the assignment various responses from the client that require the students to use relationship skills, critical thinking skills, and initiative. Additionally, I include time pressures from their manager.
The students are assessed on the following: accuracy of the journal entry, constructive ideas for the client, professional interaction with the client, well-written and appropriate emails, and the ability to overcome obstacles.

Author

• Romeva Prcela, Hiram College