Bridging the gap between academic accounting education and professional work - an exploratory study in the Iraqi Environment

Abstract

This study aims to bridge the gap between the outcomes of universities  accounting education and professional accounting practices by shedding light on education methods that develop intellectual, technical, personal, and administrative skills to meet the requirements of the business environment. Previous literature proves the gap and presents several reasons, for instance, a weakness in the academic accounting education program, including the lack of advanced methods in education; the lack of sufficient attention to the practical aspect that keeps pace with the business environment, which led to weak compatibility between the outcomes of university accounting education and professional accounting practices. The study concluded that it is possible to address the gap through (adopting advanced methods in education - practical training for students and involving them in courses on the use of electronic accounting applications and programs, with the help of one of the training and development centers-visits The field to companies and contact with the professional accountant -practical scientific qualification for faculty members). The study recommended the need to increase cooperation between academics and professionals to address the gap. It also indicated the need to develop advanced methods and programs to improve education.