The broad conclusion of the study we report here is that current arrangements for the professional training of internationally proficient accountants should encourage stronger engagement of accounting students with applied examples and case studies that are more relevant to a China needs to emphasize the development of generic skills-in particular, critical thinking skill. Participating Chinese universities should not merely adopt a popular English language textbook from overseas without also embracing the pedagogical thinking inherent in those textbooks. Further, Chinese curriculum planners should make a concerted effort to relate the content of textbooks to China’s economic, political and social context.