An International Meeting of the American Accounting Association 2005 Annual Meeting August 7–10, 2005 San Francisco, California Come to the City by the Bay!

Effective Learning Strategies Forum
Tuesday, August 9, 2005

Session 11
Student Teams: Using Verbal Analysis Tools to Broaden Accounting Students' Toolbox

Presenter:
Frances A. Kennedy, Clemson University
James E. Sorensen, University of Denver

Description:
Accountants (especially management accountants and auditors) are often faced with structuring unstructured ideas, formulating business plans, or organizing and controlling complex projects. While they may know how to manipulate quantitative data, their success requires an additional set of tools to manage VERBAL information—tools NOT usually found in our current accounting curricula.

Research shows that a majority of management accountants are members of teams established to improve processes and solve complex problems. This responsibility requires that accountants demonstrate the ability to organize and interpret verbal and quantitative information, as well as communicate and collaborate in a team environment. Common student complaints about teamwork are that too often some team members don't pull their weight and that some meetings don't accomplish anything.

Through this session participants will learn strategies for integrating verbal analysis tools, such as brainstorming, affinity diagrams, interrelationship digraphs and cause-and-effect diagrams, into coursework and assignments. In addition, presenters will demonstrate how students can sharpen their technology skills by using functions available through Microsoft® VISIO.

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