Accounting information systems course structure and employer systems skills expectations

This study examines the current practices of AIS faculty in designing and teaching of the AIS course and then relates these practices to the systems skills expectations of accounting graduate employers (CPA firms, corporations, and government). Results indicate that only about 23% (55/240) of respondents perceive their graduates/entry-level hires at an above average level in systems skills preparedness. Differences exist in emphasis given to systems auditing (EDP), and database management systems. Differences in practical applications are in database management, word processing, accounting applications, and operating systems. Faculty show preference for use of computer hands-on projects, lecture, and case studies as instructional techniques and little use of manual practice sets and theoretical writing techniques. With many variations of what constitutes an ideal AIS course, the challenge remains for academics to design the AIS curricula to meet the diversity of career path goals while considering both their educational mission and employer expectations.