Exploring the needed soft skills amongst accounting students
List of Authors
  • Nuraishah Raimee , Nurazwani Mat Radzi

Keyword
  • problem-solving, critical thinking, communication skills, leadership skills, self-directed learning skills, accounting students

Abstract
  • A Business is very challenging and competitive nowadays, therefore most of the employer seeking for multitasking employee to support their business activities. Accountants are in high demand and need to require some skills to perform many important functions throughout a business, so there is a need for accountants in almost every industry. Different companies and career paths look for different attributes and characteristics in an individual. It is important that students are aware of and develop soft skills in order to meet the industrial requirement. The purpose of this paper is to address the developing soft skill that needed among accounting students that could help them to be well prepared and benefits before entering into real life as an accountant. This study methodology is based on the qualitative method. Focus group interview was conducted with undergraduate students who had been completed their internship programs. The outcome of this study will help the accounting students to enhance their soft skills such as time management skills, problem-solving skills, critical thinking, communication skills, and self-directed learning skills so that they can be well prepared to face the real life as an accountant. This paper presents the findings of the above study by suggesting that higher education institution have a responsibility to provide a curriculum that emphasis on developing soft skills. In addition, lecturer needs to be creative in conducting lecture and tutorial class in order to enhance student soft skills development.

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