Transferable Team Skills for Accounting Students

Accounting educators are incorporating student teams in the classroom as a response to employers' demands that employees be able to work collaboratively. Although there are many studies in the accounting literature that explore factors (e.g. size, incentives) affecting student team performance, few address skills development for team members. This paper examines students' exposure to specific meeting management techniques (e.g. agendas, surveys, action plans). Findings indicate that students in accounting classes are frequently lacking in exposure or specific training in organizational and analysis techniques that can help teams succeed. These findings suggest that instructors may positively influence student performance and skill development by integrating appropriate techniques in team assignments. Examples of assignments in management accounting, tax, information systems, auditing, and financial reporting are provided.