The vocational skills gap for management accountants: the stakeholders' perspectives

Previous research into the views of employers of accountants has identified the need to develop a broad range of wider vocational skills. This paper identifies the relative importance of a specified range of vocational skills needed for a chartered management accountant to discharge his/her duties. Views are sought from the employers of management accountants and from management accounting students who are currently in the process of qualifying. By analysing the relative importance of the skills and the level of skills actually exhibited, this study prioritizes areas for development and training. The findings of this study confirm that employers and students recognize that it is important for accountants to develop a range of vocational skills. There is broad agreement between the employers and the students on the areas to prioritize. However, there are differences in the specific priorities. The employers and students also agree that the development of vocational skills should be integrated into the accounting curriculum.