The Scarcity of Information Technologies in Accounting Graduation

Abstract

Accounting remains a very important discipline for management however, the roles and relevance of the accountant are questioned by the development of technologies. These technologies gave rise to new accounting mechanisms that substantially changed the role of the accountant in the company. Accounting education should reflect these changes and promote changes in curriculum to train accountants whose individual importance continues to be felt in management. Accounting students must improve the knowledge and practice of Information Technologies (IT). This is an important asset in the labour market, a path of continuous and adapted training that makes students autonomous from mere legal and bureaucratic compliance with the rules. This paper reflects on the plans of the curricular courses, to assess the integration of computer courses in Accounting Education in Portugal. The study is based on the information available on the website of accounting schools. The fundamentals of accounting (cost measurement and classification; understanding of accounting standards and legislation; clear provision of information) must be taught but the courses should be reinforced with technology education following the new digital era.