Abstract:
During the 1990s the value to an intending professional accountant of undertaking a period of liberal
(general) studies was promoted internationally by a number of individuals and organisations, including
the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the New Zealand Institute of Chartered
Accountants (the “Institute”). The Institute significantly changed its admissions policy for Chartered
Accountants in 1996 and one change was to require four years of degree level study with a compulsory
liberal studies component. This study surveys the perceptions of New Zealand accounting practitioners
on the impact of this compulsory liberal component.
The results of this study demonstrate that there is little support from accounting practitioners for IFAC’s
claim that liberal education “can contribute significantly to the acquisition of professional skills”,
including intellectual, personal and communication skills. In addition, the majority of respondents did
not perceive any improvements in the professional skills of the staff that had qualified under the
Institute’s current admissions policy. However, any perceived improvements were mainly attributed to
the Institute’s policy change. Notwithstanding the lack of support for the assertion that liberal education
develops professional skills, there is a strong belief by respondents in the value of liberal education for
intending professional accountants.
