The Communication Skills Accounting Firms Desire in New Hires

Abstract

Interviews were conducted with human resource (HR) managers from accounting firms to determine managers’ expectations of future accounting graduates. Results show HR managers are looking to hire individuals that possess strong oral and written communication skills. HR managers also reported that they expect students to use these skills to represent their company well in meetings, presentations, client appointments, as well as print and electronic correspondence. The study concludes with a discussion of how business librarians can assist faculty in preparing accounting students for successful careers and of implications for librarians to consider in their library instruction and other librarianship activities.

KEYWORDS:

• information literacy
• business education
• business communication
• employment
• placement
• library resources
• oral communication skills
• written communication skills
• communication abilities
• accounting students
• career success