This research found an expectation-performance gap in generic skills in accounting
education in Sri Lanka. Although the university educators are aware of employer
expectations of graduate accountants, university educators acknowledged their low
confidence in teaching many generic skills. This important finding aligns to Bui and
Porter (2010) who also found that accounting educators’ substandard teaching
contributes to the expectation-performance gap. Potentially, the university educators’
deficient teaching may result in unsatisfactory educational outcomes of accounting
graduates in Sri Lanka.
Importantly the current study provides unique evidence from university educators
that there are some generic skills that they do not feel confident in teaching or
assessing. Further, many do not see it as their responsibility to do so. However, the
skills that are confidently taught by educators during the degree were successfully
achieved by graduates, suggesting the importance of expanding the accounting
curricula and systematic staff development programmes to improve the capabilities of
academic staff in teaching and assessing generic skills.
The findings of this paper assist in developing a better understanding of the
contributory causes of the expectation-performance gap in accounting education, in
terms of generic skills. University educators should consider curriculum reforms that
aim to develop a comprehensive and coherent curriculum that maps out the courses,
experiences and activities aimed at preparing skilful and globally competitive
accounting graduates. Further, it is important to consider and explore the value of
adopting internationally benchmarked curriculum standards, borrowing educational
practices from developed countries such as the UK, the USA and Australia and
emulating educational policies from internationally top performing countries. The
current educational practices, policies and priorities in Sri Lanka are the major
obstacles to preparing globally competent accounting graduates. These cultural
changes take determination, time and effort.
Although this study provides important insights about generic skills that are
important for career success of accounting graduates in Sri Lanka and the contributory
causes as to why they may not be exhibiting these skills, the findings are limited in
their scope given that only one accounting degree programme was investigated. Also
the low response rate of employers may raise concerns over potential non-response
bias. These limitations highlights the opportunities for further research. The views of
the stakeholders of other academic accounting programmes and professional
accounting bodies, with respect to generic skills that accounting graduates should
possess, will contribute to better understanding the needs and explanations of key
stakeholders in accounting education.