November 04, 2024
Laura D Wiley
Laura Wiley is the Assistant Department Chair and distinguished instructor in the Department of Accounting at Louisiana State University (LSU).
Michelle Randall
Michelle Randall is a Professor of Accounting at Schoolcraft College and NPAG member.
In a recent webinar, Laura Wiley from Louisiana State University and Michelle Randall from Schoolcraft College tackled the pressing issue of decreasing enrolments in accounting programs across North America . They emphasized that addressing the accounting pipeline problem requires collaboration among firms, academia, regulators, and organizations like the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). Drawing insights from extensive research involving over 1,600 professionals and students, they identified six key themes for improvement: enhancing academic engagement, increasing access for underrepresented groups, supporting CPA exam candidates, addressing educational costs, improving employee experiences, and promoting career opportunities. Below is an outline of what was covered in the webinar.
Laura and Michelle emphasized the critical need to make academic experiences more engaging, particularly for underrepresented groups, first time accounting students, and CPA exam candidates.
Research indicates that many students lack interest or passion for the field, often due to uninspiring classes—which is a significant wake-up call for many programs. A student’s first accounting course lays the foundation for their impressions of the discipline, and needs to be a positive experience. This idea is reflected in the notable differences in feedback between two student ratings on Rate My Professor. Though both ratings were for the same class and featured the same difficulty score, instructor enthusiasm was the differentiating factor. While one instructor received low scores for dull classes, another achieved high marks due to their energy, empathy, and personal connections with students.
This highlights Michelle and Laura’s second point as well, which is that a more supportive academic environment is needed moving forward. Fostering better relationships with students through patience, excitement, and transparency can significantly enhance engagement and success in accounting courses.
The National Accounting Program Advisory Group (NAPAG) has outlined similar strategies, including a focus on revamping the principles of accounting curriculum and its delivery. They are collaborating with the American Accounting Association to create a resource hub for instructors to share effective teaching practices and engage with textbook publishers. Additionally, there is a push for a mindset shift from a "sink or swim" approach to one that supports students through early coursework and the recognition of diverse learning styles. This strategy involves connecting students to campus support services, such as mental health and tutoring, while fostering partnerships with local firms and state societies, which are eager to contribute by offering mentorship and insights into various accounting careers.
Laura and Michelle also shared innovative strategies to enhance student engagement in accounting programs. By leveraging resources like Wiley Plus within their learning management systems, they provided tailored materials that reduced information overload. This includes specific videos, PowerPoints, and adaptive questions that track student progress on learning objectives and provide prerequisite support.
A standout initiative was the implementation of an accounting cycle simulation created by Laura as well. This simulation not only reinforced foundational concepts for introductory accounting students, but also led to significantly improved quiz and exam scores. This simulation is currently available for both Introductory Financial Accounting, Survey of Accounting, Principles, and Intermediate.
Another key recommendation focused on effectively conveying the abundant career opportunities available in accounting. At Schoolcraft College, students must complete a mandatory career assignment designed to help them better explore the accounting profession. At LSU, Careers in Accounting and Accounting Information Nights utilize firm recruiters, industry speakers, and peer advocates to encourage and inspire students.
Michelle and Laura also encourage instructors to think outside of the box. Simulations like an IRS Criminal Investigation Unit to introduce Forensic Accounting and an asynchronous, virtual internship through the platform Forage have successfully helped connect classrooms and careers and inspired student interest. By providing opportunities for students to network with industry guests and apply concepts to a variety of real-world scenarios, instructors can expand the limiting beliefs of what a career in accounting means. Click here to learn more about the IRS simulations.
In an effort to minimize distractions and create a more engaged learning environment, Laura also banned laptops in her accounting audit class, allowing only tablets or handwritten notes. This decision resulted in no complaints from students and a significant improvement in exam results, with the class average jumping up over 6% from the previous year, and the number of Fs in the course dropping to zero.
The faculty at LSU have also taken steps to combat declining enrolment through personal outreach. Instructors send individual emails to high-performing students, engaging them in conversations about majoring in accounting and fostering a sense of value and appreciation. The importance of celebrating student successes and utilizing social media where possible, was also noted. While many of these initiatives are still ongoing, their impact is evident in departments like LSU Accounting, where the number of declared majors has increased 53% from 2023-2024.
Overall, these strategies and recommendations call for a commitment to creating a more engaging and supportive environment for accounting students. By reinvigorating our accounting classrooms and reconnecting with students, we can better inspire the next generation of accounting professionals. If you would like to watch the full webinar recording please see below.
