Evaluation of an intervention aimed at developing the personal attributes of prospective entrants into the accounting profession

Abstract

Rapid changes in the business world coupled with increased global competition demand that accountants must have a wide range of skills and attitudes if they are to meet the rising expectations of employers and of society as a whole. This article evaluates an intervention designed to develop personal attributes such as lifelong learning and the analytical decision-making and communication skills of prospective entrants into the accounting profession. The intervention was structured around a management accounting course and involved seven tutorials in which a tutor role modelled self-regulated learning skills, strategies, and behaviours. A mixed methods approach was used to ascertain the effect of the intervention and assess its impact on student performance. The results show that students developed a number of generic or “pervasive” skills associated with lifelong learning and that the intervention facilitated self-motivation, group work, the setting of timetables, and interaction with mentors. The results also indicated that the intervention significantly influenced the performance of students compared to that of their peers.

Keywords:

• Generic/Pervasive Skills
• Personal Attributes
• Accountancy Education
• Self-regulated Learning
• Tutorial Programme
• Thuthuka Bursary Fund