Developing Soft Skills in Today’s Accounting Graduates Ronald R. Bruce Carlo J. Silvesti Gwynedd Mercy University

CPA Vision Project 2011 (2008) “…able to give and exchange information within a meaningful context and with appropriate delivery and interpersonal skills. Able to influence, inspire and motivate others to achieve results (p. 17).”

Soft Skills Creative Thinking Critical Thinking Analytical Skills Teamwork Solving unstructured problems Formal and informal communication Work with diverse groups Leadership Public Speaking Decision Making Time Management Self Awareness Persuasion

Gwynedd Mercy University 1,500 Full-time students accounting graduates per year Accounting Curriculum – 48 credits general education – 33 credits management core – 33 credits accounting core – 125 Credits total – Optional 25 credit CPA track

Curricular Efforts Principles of Accounting I – Students have an assignment where they are required to interview a practicing accounting/finance professional. Make a presentation to the class. – Group project and presentation Must defend answers

Curricular Efforts Principles of Accounting II – Group Project and Presentation Must defend results

Curricular Efforts Intermediate Accounting II – Debate Comcast vs Verizon, Coke vs Pepsi, Lowes vs Home Depot. Analyze Financial Data, think creatively Judged by accounting professionals – Attend Breakfast with IRS – Attend an accounting and auditing seminar (CPE Seminar)

Curricular Efforts Auditing – Heavy use of case studies – Use of auditing training materials donated by an accounting firm. – Role play case study

Curricular Efforts Internships – Design a curriculum and course offerings that enable students to get internships earlier in their Academic Career, as well as the opportunity to do multiple internships during their career. – Freshman Year - Accounting I, II – Sophomore Year – Intermediate I, II; Taxes I, II – Evening courses for students in internships.

Curricular Efforts Intermediate III/ Advanced Accounting II – Part of 150 credit hour curriculum – Attend 3 half-day seminars (CPE)

Co-Curricular Efforts SEPCHE Accounting and Finance Career Fair – Southeastern PA Consortium for Higher Education – 30 to 45 employers interviewing for internships and entry-level positions. – All intermediate accounting students (usually sophomores) must attend. – Freshman Accounting students volunteer – Students prepare resumes, game plan for the event.

Co-Curricular SEPCHE Accounting and Finance Career Fair – Skills emphasized Courtesy (thank you notes) Self-reflection Sophomore year is the year to think about your resume, not senior year.

Co-Curricular Student Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants. School of Business Advisory Board

Co-Curricular Efforts Students Volunteer to speak at PICPA high school events.

n = 10 1 = not very helpful 5 = extremely helpful