The State of Cost and Managerial Accounting Education: Management’s Perspective

Abstract

There is a decline in the emphasis of cost and managerial accounting courses in university accounting programs. There is also a growing concern that accounting graduates wishing to pursue careers in cost or managerial accounting are not receiving adequate preparation for such careers. Results of a survey of cost and managerial accountants supported previous research findings that there is a gap between the skills that entry-level accountants have and what employers desire. The most significant needs identified were additional coursework in cost and managerial accounting, quantitative skills, and a stronger emphasis on decision-making.