Computerised Accounting Software; A Curriculum that Enhances an Accounting Programme

There has been an outcry in commerce and industry about students who fail to perform in the accounting department due to lack of “practical accounting skills”. It is from this background that the researchers were motivated to investigate the impact of a Computerised Accounting Software Curriculum that enhances an Accounting Programme. At Botho University a degree in Bsc Hons in Accounting is offered and it is perceived that the graduates of this programme will be all rounded after completing this qualification. The Accounting programme at Botho University includes all the aspects that are needed for a novice accountant. However, the only shortcomings are the inclusion of a Computerised Accounting Software Curriculum into this Accounting Programme. It is believed that higher education students experience problems during their internship semester as they are expected to use Computerised Accounting Software. This study investigates whether the students at Botho University who are enrolled for the Bsc Hons in Accounting Programme face any accounting software challenges during their internship period. The accounting software that students are expected to have knowledge include: spreadsheets software, quick-books and sage pastel accounting. Focus group and face to face interviews were used to collect data from students enrolled in the Bsc Hons in Accounting at Botho University Gaborone Campus, Maun and Francistown. The study focuses the students who were on the internship period. However, the majority of the accounting students faces accounting software challenges and agreed that a Computerised accounting software curriculum should be proposed and implemented at Botho University in the Department of Accounting and Finance. This is done so in order to enhance the Accounting Programme and meets industry and commerce expectations.

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