Abstract:
The study sought to explore university accounting education in relation to the
labour market by examining employers' expectations, graduates' perception and
the accounting curriculum content/structure. The study was conducted using a
cross-sectional descriptive survey research design. Using the proportionate
technique, simple random sampling, purposive sampling and the systematic
sampling procedures, the universities, accounting graduates working in the public
and private sectors, together with their employers were selected for the study. A
questionnaire was used to gather the requisite data for the study. The data was
analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean distributions, independent samples
t-test, and ANOV A. The study found that, accounting graduates perceived skills
such as: exhibiting honesty, continuous learning, work ethics, problem solving
abilities, time management, analytical thinking, among others as important to their
careers. Also, it was realised that, accounting courses such as: "Accounting and
financial reporting", "Microsoft Office Programme", "Financial statement
analysis", and "Tax regulations", among others were important to the careers of the
accounting graduates. Again, there were gaps between the expectations of
employers and the perceptions of accounting graduates in terms of knowledge and
skills. The study recommended that, heads ofaccolmting departments of the various
universities should ensure that they make available technologies comparable to
what students are likely to find in the workplace. Again, they should ensure that,
their accounting students undergo mandatory internship as a partial requirement for
completing the programme.
