Accounting students’ perceptions of important business communication skills for career success

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to examine the business communication skills that accounting students see as having the highest importance for career success. It also explores the current levels of development of these skills and analyzes them through a comparative study between three Tunisian business schools. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a questionnaire sent to180 students from three business schools to provide insights into the development of communication skills perceived important for a successful accounting career. Findings The results indicate that all students are conscious of the importance held by communication skills for career success in the accounting profession. However, they feel that their aptitudes are sometimes poorly developed, especially when it comes to proficiency in French (as a language of business in Tunisia) and written skills. Practical implications The paper’s findings offer important guidance concerning the communication skills that accounting students consider most needed by the Tunisian labor market. The findings of this study may be useful for curriculum development in local and international contexts. Originality/value This study is conducted in a developing country where the graduate unemployment rate is about 30 per cent. This high unemployment often affects service professions like accounting. Moreover, in Tunisia, accounting education focuses particularly on technical aspects. So far, no studies have been conducted to show whether students nowadays are aware of the increasing importance of generic skills in accounting practice. As a result, the conclusions of this study could provide Tunisian stakeholders with insights into ways of potentially improving accounting graduates’ employability.

Pengaruh Kepribadian Proaktif, Communication Skills, Family Responsibilities Terhadap Kesuksesan Karir

“…Communication skills merupakan keterampilan yang penting untuk dipelajari sehingga dapat berkomunikasi dengan lancar. Baik dengan atasan maupun dengan bawahan dan sesama kolega kantor (Ahmed Atef Oussi, 2017). Penelitian lainnya juga menghasilkan temuan bahwa communication skills mendukung peningkatan karir individu (Majid et al, 2012).…”

“…Keterampilan komunikasi lisan (oral communication skill) merupakan kemampuan seseorang dalam berkomunikasi melalui berbicara dan umpan balik (feedback) dapat diberikan secara langsung. Keterampilan komunikasi lisan meliputi kemampuan dalam wawancara kerja, seminar, lokakarya, public speaking, pidato formal dan presentasi (Ahmed Atef Oussi, 2017). Keterampilan komunikasi tulisan (written communication skill) merupakan kemampuan seseorang membuat pesan-pesan secara tertulis dalam berbagai macam bentuk, seperti memo, surat, proposal, dan laporan.…”

The Role of Soft Skills within Business Students towards Graduate Employability

“…Communication is defined as a process to understand the environment and themselves from the characteristic that happens in levels non-conscious, semi-conscious and conscious (Salleh, Sulaiman, Mohamad & Sern, 2017). Oussii and Klibi (2017) stated that there is a correlation between communication skills and employment. This research was conducted in Australia on 180 students.…”

Classroom exercises with technology and communication skills: students’ perceptions

“…Another evaluated data obtained through self-report questionnaires to determine the effects of communication apprehension on the development of communication skills of accounting students (Coetzee et al , 2014; Noga and Rupert, 2017). In addition, another study evaluated student survey responses to obtain students’ perceptions of the most valuable communication skills needed for entry-level accountants in Tunisia (Oussi and Klibi, 2017). Finally, one study assessed how accounting professionals and students valued their own communication skills (Lin et al , 2013).…”