CPE Session 18: Sunday, August 3, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Description/Objectives:
Calls for reform in accounting education have been numerous and consistent. From the earlier Bedford Committee Report and Big 8 White Paper to the more recent Albrecht/Sack and Taylor reports, the necessity of change is clear to accounting educators. While most educators recognize the need for change, what many educators need are tools to help them design and implement changes in their accounting courses and programs. During 1999, the AICPA released its Core Competency Framework, which identified and defined the competencies necessary for individuals to enter the accounting profession. Because of the extensive interest shown by accounting faculty, the AICPA in 2003 launched its Educational Competency Assessment (ECA) website. The ECA site provides accounting educators with the resources they need to help students develop the core competencies. This workshop will demonstrate the software and show how accounting educators can take advantage of these resources to improve their courses and programs. The workshop will include the experiences of accounting educators in: (1) deciding which competencies are most important to their educational mission, (2) identifying teaching strategies to improve student learning, (3) evaluating how well their courses/programs are designed, and (4) assessing how well students perform desired competencies.

Format/Structure:
The workshop will include a mixture of demonstrations/illustrations and discussions of how accounting educators can help their students develop the core competencies needed for entry into the accounting profession. Several presenters will demonstrate how different courses and programs have implemented the AICPA Core Competency Framework.

Intended Audience:
The workshop is intended for anyone interested in learning about ways to improve student learning and assessment. It will be of particular interest to professors, administrators, and members of curricula and assessment committees.

Presenters:
Paula B. Thomas, Middle Tennessee State University
Susan K. Wolcott, Wolcott Lynch Associates
Joe Bittner, AICPA

Sponsor:
Teaching and Curriculum Section