Importance of Generic Skills in Accounting Education: Evidence from Egypt

Abstract

Nowadays, globalization, new economic challenges and innovations in information technologies (IT) influenced the role and domain of professional accountants. The current accreditation requirements and educational frameworks of the contemporary accounting profession emphasize the importance of broad ‘generic skills’. This research aims to fill the gap in studying generic skills in Egypt by examining the importance of generic skills in accounting education. The research results are consistent with the International Education Standard IES 3 and several studies, and highlighted the importance of five factors: intellectual and communication, interpersonal, creative ability, organization, research and analytical skills. Moreover, it is recommended that universities in Egypt should reevaluate their accounting education process and establish strong links with professional accounting firms.