Enhancing Soft Skills of Accounting Undergraduates through Industrial Training

Simulation – is it all worth it? The impact of simulation from the perspective of accounting students

“…The biggest argument for introducing such methods into audit teaching at undergraduate level is the need to bring the subject to life and to encourage employability skills within accounting students. Employability in accounting graduates is something that has faced increased attention (Stoner and Milner, 2010); Maelah, Aman, Mohamad & Ramli, 2012;Paisey & Paisey, 2010). Therefore, some academics have explored personal skills development through the accounting curriculum (Gammie, Gammie & Cargill, 2002).…”

Internship for accounting undergraduates: comparative insights from stakeholders

“…Maelah et al (2011) conduct a survey of undergraduate accounting students at university and find that internships benefit the students and enhance their soft skills. Abu Bakar et al (2011) examine the perceptions regarding internships of business and accounting students at the University of Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA).…”

“…However, many studies are limited in scope and focus. Typically, the conclusions of studies are based upon feedback from the singular perspective of either the student (Madilaras, 2004;Cord et al, 2010;Thompson, 2011;Martin and Wilkerson, 2006;Maelah et al, 2011;Abu Bakar et al, 2011;Muhamad et al, 2009;Hasbullah and Sulaiman, 2002); the university (Thompson, 2011); or the employer (Pianko, 1996). Tindale et al (2004) examine internships from the perspectives of both the students and the university, but focus on postgraduate accounting programmes while excluding undergraduate programmes.…”

Are Soft skills Important in the Workplace? – A Preliminary Investigation in Malaysia

“…These findings clearly indicate that Malaysian graduates are unemployed not because they lack academic qualifications but rather because most of them lack soft-skills. Researchers, Maelah et al (2012) noted that the current development in the Malaysian business environment strongly indicate that accounting graduates need to have sound technical skills as well as be proficient in soft skills to increase their marketability for employment. The study aimed to establish that industrial training was able to enhance the graduates' soft skills in three categories which are communication, leadership and teamwork and self-management.…”

“…The study aimed to establish that industrial training was able to enhance the graduates' soft skills in three categories which are communication, leadership and teamwork and self-management. Higher institutions of learning need to therefore be flexible and to the needs of employers in order to maintain a better fit between the graduates they produce and industry requirements (Maelah et al 2012).…”