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Successful Implementation Of Written Communication Across An Accounting Degree Program

Author

Listed:
  • Mohammed Hossain
  • Tyge Kummer
  • Conor O’Leary

Abstract

Both the accounting profession and faculty recognise the importance of written communication as a skill business graduates need to master. However, in an already crowded syllabus the problem for educators is how to get time to devote to soft skills such as communication. This study evaluates a program adopted by the accounting discipline of an Australian University aimed at improving the written communication skills of their graduates. The teaching, assessment, evaluation and feedback of written communication were embedded throughout a three year degree program. Specifically one first year, one second year and one final year course formally taught and evaluated the skill using a consistent assessment rubric which contained six criteria applicable to written communication in an accounting environment. The final year assessment of the skill was then compared against three previous years of such assessment before the new program was adopted. The evaluations were across two campuses with different student demographics as regards nationality. Significant improvement was noted at both campuses. The implications are considered important in that they demonstrate soft skills such as communication can be taught and improved upon throughout a degree program if they are integrated and supported appropriately

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammed Hossain & Tyge Kummer & Conor O’Leary, 2015. "Successful Implementation Of Written Communication Across An Accounting Degree Program," Business Education and Accreditation, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 7(1), pages 43-56.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibf:beaccr:v:7:y:2015:i:1:p:43-56
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Harshini P. Siriwardane & Chris H. Durden, 2014. "The Communication Skills of Accountants: What we Know and the Gaps in our Knowledge," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(2), pages 119-134, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Written Communication; Accounting Education; Soft Skills; Teaching and Evaluating; Professional Accreditation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I29 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Other
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General

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