Interpreting the public interest : A survey of professional accountants

The accounting profession, like all professions, has a commitment to advance the interests of the general community, as well as those they are contractually bound to serve. Providing services altruistically, at times without compensation, is a salient feature of the public interest ideal. A review of the literature indicates that the profession has abandoned its public interest role so that serving self-interest now appears to have primacy ( Bédard 2001 ; Canning and O\u27Dwyer 2001 ; Parker 1994 ; Saravanamuthu 2004 ). The aim of this paper is to examine members\u27 interpretation of the public interest ideal and to elicit their perceptions on issues arising from the literature. The results of a survey to members of CPA Australia indicate that members can iterate the formal definition of the public interest, but their application of the public interest in conflict of interest situations is inconsistent with this definition

FAIA(Hons, United Kingdom), FHKIoD, Professor and Head, Department of Accounting

Structured Abstract Purpose: This study seeks to obtain Hong Kong accounting academics' responses to weaknesses and strengths perceived by major accounting employers of Hong Kong accounting graduates. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: This is a qualitative study consisting of two phases. The first phase relates to identifying the weaknesses and strengths of university graduates by sending a Likert-scale questionnaire to the big-4 accounting firms. The second phase consists of interviewing accounting academics. In areas where improvements are sought, suggestions for remedial activities from each surveyed institution as well as the reasons as to why some institutions cannot help are recorded. In areas where the graduates have done well, the institutions' responses include whether these have been the results of their efforts, or that credit cannot be claimed. Findings:Common approaches suggested to enhance the skill sets in several areas include the use of case studies, instructional materials and exam questions that are unstructured and ambiguous, projects or presentations requiring interactivity and encouraging students to participate more in student and external activities with the universities arranging more internships, study tours and exchange programs. The use of the aforementioned factors also contributed to accounting graduates doing well in several areas. Research Limitations:This paper is based entirely on a survey of expert opinions from both major accounting employers and accounting academics. It would not be appropriate to use statistical tools under these circumstances. Practical Implications: The results of this study can be used as a reference by accounting academics in countries or jurisdictions where the educational and business environments are similar to those in Hong Kong. Social Implications:After reading this paper, accounting practitioners would have a clear understanding of what universities can and cannot do in the nurturing of the expected skillsets of accounting graduates. Hence, they should not point fingers at accounting academics for doing a less than adequate job for not being able to overcome some of the perceived weaknesses of accounting graduates. Originality: This is a topic that has never been explored previously

The roles of some key stakeholders in the future of accounting education in Australia

This paper explores the role of institutional and systemic leadership in changing higher education in accounting in Australia. In particular, it discusses the roles of the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching, the Australian Business Deans’ Council Teaching and Learning Network (ABDC T&L) and the professional accounting bodies in meeting the challenges confronting accounting education in the tertiary sector today and in the coming years. Details are provided of a Carrick funded accounting discipline research project arising out of a recent ABDC T&L Network Business Scoping Study. The critical non-technical skills required by stakeholders are explored with their role and responsibility in their development discusse