INTEGRATION OF DIGITAL ACCOUNTING TOOLS IN ACCOUNTING EDUCATION CURRICULA IN ANAMBRA STATE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

Upcoming trends that have rapidly increased the utilisation of digital accounting services, like QuickBooks, Sage, and cloud services, have identified the importance of integrating these tools in accounting education curriculum that would lead to better employability of accounting graduates. In Anambra State, Nigeria, tertiary institutions are struggling with curriculum alignment with industry requirements because the teaching methods used are outdated, there are insufficient trainings on lecturers and the available infrastructure are inadequate. The paper will also propose a directional model in which digital accounting tools can be incorporated into accounting education into the learning process in four Anambra State institutions: Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Federal Polytechnic Oko, and Anambra State Polytechnic. A mixed methods approach was adopted in this study, and data were obtained using a questionnaire, interview, and document analysis of 200 final year accounting students, 40 lecturers and 20 industry stakeholders. The analysis of the quantitative data was carried out in SPSS; the qualitative data was thematical, which was carried out using NVivo. Research indicates a lack of integration of digital tools, such barriers being the lack of faculty experience and institutional resistance. Potential opportunities are industry partnerships and curriculum redesign. A proposed curriculum model will focus on practical training, upskilling the lecturers, and policy making. This paper adds value towards the balance of accounting education with the economic agenda of Nigeria, improvement of teaching standards, and preparation of graduates to a technologically-based economy.