However, the standard required of IT competencies is not specified and
does not give a specific approach on how to develop the IT skills and competence.
Therefore, the information systems literature has been reviewed to identify what
dimensions or elements have been employed in the previous studies. Unfortunately,
most of the studies have provided a list of IT skills such as the ability to use
Information Technology Skills and Competencies 83
spreadsheets, word processor, accounting packages and web browser that accountants
must be proficient with [12 and 13].
These results are not consistent with the others studies stated that accountants need
new skills rather than technical skills to improve their career and professionalism
[10]. Although professional accountants’ IT competencies are required by the
professional standard set by IFAC, very little is known about their IT competencies
levels, especially in developing economies such as Malaysia [1]. There are very few
studies available that have investigated IT competencies for professional accountants
in developing economies. These studies, however only use one dimension i.e. IT
skills to measure accounting practitioners’ competence in using IT.