Problems and Challenges in Skills Development: A Perspective from Professional Accounting Education

Abstract

This study contributes to the theory of constraints by adding a fresh perspective gathered from professional accounting institutions. Professional accounting institutes differ from universities, where most of the earlier research-work regarding constraints in academia has been conducted. To holistically address the study’s research question, this research employed a triangulation approach comprised of articulation, 3 cognitive interviews and a survey. During the survey, the data have been collected from 201 academicians teaching in professional accounting institutes of Pakistan. Findings revealed that most of the prevalent constraining elements that are found within the extant literature pertaining to the university education system are noticeably absent in the perspectives of professional accounting institutes. In this research the prevailing constraints include, training organisations not following standard procedures, potential students have misperceptions about accounting education being mathematical in nature, enrolling students have inadequate academic skills, insufficient stipends offered by professional training organisations, accounting institutes are not appreciating teaching activities, and lack of training opportunities for academics.