Written and Computer-Mediated Accounting Communication Skills

Abstract

Communication skills are a fundamental personal competency for a successful career in accounting. What is not so obvious is the specific written communication skill set employers look for and the extent those skills are computer mediated. Using survey research, this article explores the particular skills employers desire and their satisfaction level with new hires. Results indicate that basic writing mechanics are the skills in highest demand, followed by effective documentation. Except for email proficiency, employers do not consider computer-mediated communication competencies as important as traditional business communication skills. The article concludes with curricular implications for accounting communication.

The written communication skills that matter most for accountants

“…Of the 27 sentences, participants only rated four of them below 3.0. Therefore, nearly every error mentioned was seen as at least somewhat bothersome, further confirming results of Christensen and Rees (2002) and Jones (2011) that these are seen as important skills for entry-level accountants.…”

“…The first sentence contained the error, and the following sentence was a correct version. 6 The four main grammatical errors covered in our survey were chosen based on the results of Christensen and Rees (2002) and Jones (2011) who found that clarity, grammar, punctuation, and spelling/ proper word usage were some of the most important skills needed by entry-level accountants. The sentences used in the survey were adapted from Gilsdorf and Leonard (2001), Gray and Heuser (2003), Hacker and Sommers (2015), May andMay (2012), andWhittenburg, Flatley, andRaabe (1998).…”

“…Based on consensus results from Christensen and Rees (2002) and Jones (2011), these four written communication skills are necessary for entry-level accountants. The specific issues we address within each of these four categories are:…”

“…Albrecht & Sack, 2000;Forey & Nunan, 2002;Jones, 2011;Kavanagh & Drennan, 2008;Sriram & Coppage, 1992). Research suggests that many accounting graduates have been found to be deficient in these areas (Christensen & Rees, 2002;Jones, 2011;Nelson, Moncada, & Smith, 1996). Given the importance of good written communication skills to the discipline of accounting, faculty must emphasize these skills in their classroom in order to adequately prepare students for successful careers in accounting.…”

“…Given the importance of good written communication skills to the discipline of accounting, faculty must emphasize these skills in their classroom in order to adequately prepare students for successful careers in accounting. Since 2000, only two studies in the accounting literature have examined which written communication skills are needed by entry-level accountants (Christensen & Rees, 2002;Jones, 2011), and consensus is that English skills (i.e. spelling, grammar, and punctuation) and writing clearly and concisely are of utmost importance.…”