Abstract:

In Cork Institute of Technology we have a mandatory module for all first year students (in the first semester) called CIT (Creativity, Innovation and Teamwork) module. For the Accounting degree programme, the CIT module had been tailored towards professional development. Other modules on this programme focus on developing accounting knowledge and skills, but the aim of this module is to give students a taste of what it is really like to be accountants right from the start of their higher education.

A variety of teaching and learning techniques are used in this module. They are:
a) Computer classes to develop Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills
b) Workshops with the Careers Department to develop CV writing skills
c) Attendance at careers’ fairs to talk to accountancy bodies and potential employers, to network and determine different routes to becoming an accountant
d) A series of speakers talking about their roles to build knowledge of what accountants do in the workplace.
e) Group meeting time (1 hour per week). The first 10 minutes is a presentation on division of duties, setting agendas, minute taking, reporting back to the team, dealing with issues within a team, time management. The remaining 50 minutes gives students supervised time (and space) to hold meetings to work on their group projects.

The expected outcome of this module is that students build the necessary skills to make presentations, write reports and work in teams, but most of all this module should build a sense of what they are becoming.

In September 2019, 52 students commenced the Accounting degree in Cork Institute of Technology. A questionnaire (using a 5-point Likert scale) was used to ascertain students confidence levels in 6 areas (preparation of a written report, preparation of a PowerPoint presentations, presentation skills, innovation, team work and knowledge of the accounting profession) at two key stages (before and after undertaking the CIT module).

Findings report that students’ were already confident about their presentation and team working skills before studying this module and remained at the same level of confidence after. In all other areas examined confidence levels were low initially and improved significantly. In particular, students reported an increase knowledge of the accounting profession, which was the key objective of this module. This research will present these findings. Further research will ascertain if students benefit from this module when applying for and completing work placement in the third year of this programme.

Keywords:

Professional development, Accounting.