Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Higher Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Articles 1 - 26 of 26

Full-Text Articles in Higher Education

Preparing Accountants Of The Future: Examining An Undergraduate Programme In Accounting Data And Analytics, Poh Sun Seow, Gary Pan, Clarence Goh, Duan Ning, Magdeleine Lew Mar 2024

Preparing Accountants Of The Future: Examining An Undergraduate Programme In Accounting Data And Analytics, Poh Sun Seow, Gary Pan, Clarence Goh, Duan Ning, Magdeleine Lew

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Due to technological innovations, there is a need for universities to produce accounting graduates who are proficient in data and analytics, in addition to core accounting skills. A university in Singapore launched the accounting data and analytics (AD&A) second major program to provide students with skillsets in data and analytics. The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of the AD&A program. 100 participants were surveyed, involving 70 graduates of the program and 30 employers. The results show that both graduates andemployers were satisfied with the program. The results also show that the program adequately equips graduates with …


Measuring The Learning Effectiveness Of Two Courses In A Program In Accounting Data And Analytics, Clarence Goh, Duan Ning, Magdeleine Lew, Gary Pan, Poh Sun Seow Jun 2023

Measuring The Learning Effectiveness Of Two Courses In A Program In Accounting Data And Analytics, Clarence Goh, Duan Ning, Magdeleine Lew, Gary Pan, Poh Sun Seow

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Driven by rapid technological innovation, information technology (IT) is expected to significantly alter the way that accountants work. However, both accounting researchers and practitioners have observed a shortage of accounting professionals who currently possess the relevant technology skillsets to exploit technological advances. In response, the School of Accountancy of a Singapore-based university launched a second major program in Accounting Data and Analytics in 2018. In this study, we examine the learning effectiveness of two courses – Business Data Management and Data Modelling & Visualization – offered as part of the program. Overall, our results suggest that the courses are effective …


The Effectiveness Of Using Python Programming Approach In Teaching Ffnancial Analytics, Clarence Goh, Yuanto Kusnadi, Gary Pan Dec 2022

The Effectiveness Of Using Python Programming Approach In Teaching Ffnancial Analytics, Clarence Goh, Yuanto Kusnadi, Gary Pan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

This study presents a learning method and challenges regarding implementing a Python programming approach in teaching financial analytics to graduate accounting students. The advent of Big Data, as well as related applications and technologies, has significantly changed the process and practice of accounting. This has led to essential changes in the construction and teaching content of accounting education. While there have been several studies examining how data analytics is embedded in the accounting curriculum, the majority of the teaching cases in accounting focus on analysis and communication with Excel as the principal tool, with very few covering the necessary steps …


Making Virtual Project-Based Learning Work During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Yuanto Kusnadi, Gary Pan, Shankararaman, Venky Oct 2022

Making Virtual Project-Based Learning Work During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Yuanto Kusnadi, Gary Pan, Shankararaman, Venky

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Project-based learning is an increasingly popular pedagogical approach in university education shown to be effective in fostering problem-solving, analytical, design thinking and teamwork skills. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to universities pivoting from project-based learning (PBL) in the classroom to a virtual learning environment. By examining local student consulting courses conducted virtually in a Singapore University (UNIS) during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aims to address the knowledge gap in the PBL literature by identifying the roles played by digital literacy - in utilising the digital tools that support virtual learning, in a virtual learning environment. The study also serves …


Essence Of Partnership Management In Project-Based Learning: Insights From A University’S Global Project Programme, Gary Pan, Poh Sun Seow, Shankararaman, Venky, Kevin Koh Sep 2021

Essence Of Partnership Management In Project-Based Learning: Insights From A University’S Global Project Programme, Gary Pan, Poh Sun Seow, Shankararaman, Venky, Kevin Koh

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Universities today are embracing teaching pedagogy of project-based learning (PBL) through collaboration with industry. PBL allows students to learn theory in the classroom, then apply what they have learned in the field, solving a wide array of business or societal challenges facing organizations, while at the same time, solidifying their own knowledge. While there are many benefits of such academic-industry partnership, there are also challenges that if not addressed, may have serious consequences. This study aims to develop a framework that highlights the essence of partnership management in a PBL setting and validate the framework by conducting a focus group …


Future-Ready Accountant: Upskilling And Life-Long Learning In The Age Of Digital Transformation, Yuanto Kusnadi, Gary Pan Jul 2021

Future-Ready Accountant: Upskilling And Life-Long Learning In The Age Of Digital Transformation, Yuanto Kusnadi, Gary Pan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Upskilling and life-long learning are two key phrases that Education Minister Lawrence Wong highlighted in his speech at the Straits Times Education Forum 2021. The rapid emergence of digital technologies has disrupted many industries, including accountancy sector. While accounting jobs will continue to exist and grow, the way that accounting work is carried out is no longer the same. Accounting functions are increasingly relying on digital technologies to enable their work. For instance, data analytics is deployed in audit and forensics to detect irregular patterns in accounting transaction. Machine learning algorithms are used to sharpen forecasting models to predict sales …


Students’ Evaluation Of Teaching In The Project-Based Learning Programme: An Instrument And A Development Process, Gary Pan, Venky Shankararaman, Kevin Koh, Sandy Gan Jul 2021

Students’ Evaluation Of Teaching In The Project-Based Learning Programme: An Instrument And A Development Process, Gary Pan, Venky Shankararaman, Kevin Koh, Sandy Gan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Students' evaluation of teaching (SET) is widely adopted in most universities. Besides allowing teachers to improve their teaching, SET offers an important input for university administrators' consideration in faculty promotion, contract renewal, salary increase and teaching award. While the practice of using SET instrument is well established, it remains ambiguous in the SET literature whether a dedicated SET instrument is used for alternative teaching pedagogy. Our paper argues that SET instrument may need to be re-designed to reflect the idiosyncrasy of another teaching pedagogy. Accordingly, this paper presents the development process of a SET instrument used to measure an alternative …


An Exploration Into Key Roles In Making Project-Based Learning Happen: Insights From A Case Study Of A University, Gary Pan, Poh Sun Seow, Shankararaman, Venky, Kevin Koh Apr 2021

An Exploration Into Key Roles In Making Project-Based Learning Happen: Insights From A Case Study Of A University, Gary Pan, Poh Sun Seow, Shankararaman, Venky, Kevin Koh

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Purpose: One of the main obstacles facing project-based learning (PBL) adoption relates to a lack of understanding by teachers and students in the roles they are required to play in the learning process. This study aims to address this obstacle, so as to better promote regular adoption of PBL pedagogy in educational institutions. Design/methodology/approach: The strategy was to undertake an in-depth case study of PBL courses taught in UNI-X’s undergraduate curriculum. The case study approach is particularly appropriate for this exploratory study because it allows to capture the organizational dynamics of the phenomenon better and also its ability to explain …


Enhancing Cultural Intelligence And Digital Literacy In Accounting Education: Insights From A University’S Global Student Consulting Programme, Clarence Goh, Yuanto Kusnadi, Gary Pan, Poh Sun Seow Apr 2021

Enhancing Cultural Intelligence And Digital Literacy In Accounting Education: Insights From A University’S Global Student Consulting Programme, Clarence Goh, Yuanto Kusnadi, Gary Pan, Poh Sun Seow

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Recent literature has advocated for the use of project based learning to engage students in active learning. This study examines how students’ learning of cultural intelligence and digital literacy are enhanced through an overseas project-based learning (PBL) programme at a Singapore University (UNIS), called the UNIS-XO pedagogy. Specifically, this study provides a framework through which students, faculty members, and industry partner can collaborate through consulting programs with the aim to provide feasible recommendations to the clients. Our findings suggest that an experiential PBL with an overseas client is an important learning experience through which students can strengthen their digital literacy …


How To Prepare Young Finance & Accounting Professionals For Digital Revolution, Clarence Goh, Gary Pan, Chi Kwan Yuen Dec 2020

How To Prepare Young Finance & Accounting Professionals For Digital Revolution, Clarence Goh, Gary Pan, Chi Kwan Yuen

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Automation will alter the work of accountants in the coming years. However, accountants will always have a central role to play in business. In order to continue to thrive, the profession will need to position itself to capitalise on the opportunities that automation will bring. This involves identifying areas of work which computers cannot automate, and to focus on deepening contributions in these areas. This calls for a radical transformation of accounting education in order to equip accounting graduates with relevant work skills that will allow students to navigate a future workplace where computers and technology are the norm.


Digitalisation Of Smes In Singapore: An Institute Of Higher Learning-Enterprise Partnership Model, Benjamin Huan Zhou Lee, Gary Pan May 2020

Digitalisation Of Smes In Singapore: An Institute Of Higher Learning-Enterprise Partnership Model, Benjamin Huan Zhou Lee, Gary Pan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

An SME had commissioned a team of five accounting students to develop a forecasting model using analytics. The student team was from the Accounting Analytics Capstone (SMU-X) course offered by the School of Accountancy, Singapore Management University (SMU), in January 2018. For this project, the student-consultants applied their knowledge of accounting data and analytics, combining it with a multidisciplinary approach to solve real-world complex financial analytical problems that have real-time consequences.


Developing Online Business Strategy With Millennials Through Partnership With University, Yuanto Kusnadi, Gary Pan May 2020

Developing Online Business Strategy With Millennials Through Partnership With University, Yuanto Kusnadi, Gary Pan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a significant shift in shopping behaviour from offline to online among Singaporean consumers. According to data from data analytics firm Nielsen, 37 per cent of Singaporean consumers have increased online shopping activities since the COVID-19 outbreak. This shift towards online shopping, food delivery and e-groceries may persist beyond the COVID-19 period. While the increase in online shopping has benefited online stores, many businesses who do not yet have an online presence or have not been paying much attention to conducting sales online were caught off-guard during the circuit breaker period which has resulted in …


A Review Of The Active Learning Curriculum In Management Accounting Using The Felder And Soloman’S Index Of Learning Styles (Ils), Suay Peng Wong, Loon Beng Angela Koh Feb 2020

A Review Of The Active Learning Curriculum In Management Accounting Using The Felder And Soloman’S Index Of Learning Styles (Ils), Suay Peng Wong, Loon Beng Angela Koh

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The study examines the effectiveness of active learning in Management Accounting (MA) in Singapore Management University (SMU). The aims of the paper are to determine student learning styles through the Felder and Soloman’s Index of Learning Styles (ILS) instrument, if there is correlation with demographics and whether activities found effective matched learning preferences. Findings from the ILS instrument established a slight preference for Sensing and Visual learning styles. Findings from the second questionnaire concluded that the active learning curriculum comprising diverse activities succeeded in supporting formative learning. The results present a case for the active learning curriculum and fine-tuning certain …


Using Online Tutorials To Teach The Accounting Cycle, Tracey Chunqi Zhang, Lay Chin Low, Poh Sun Seow Jan 2020

Using Online Tutorials To Teach The Accounting Cycle, Tracey Chunqi Zhang, Lay Chin Low, Poh Sun Seow

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The accounting cycle is an important yet difficult topic for introductory financial accounting students to learn. These students often lack the business context to understand the accounting cycle and find the traditional teaching approach dry. This problem motivates the authors to examine whether a blended learning approach via online tutorials can improve students’ perceived knowledge of the accounting cycle for the undergraduate introductory financial accounting course. The authors developed four innovative online tutorials with a coherent storyline to enable students to learn the accounting cycle and to supplement in-class learning. To test the effectiveness of online tutorials, an independent survey …


Examining An Experiential Learning Approach To Prepare Students For The Volatile, Uncertain, Complex And Ambiguous (Vuca) Work Environment, Poh Sun Seow, Gary Pan, Grace Koh Mar 2019

Examining An Experiential Learning Approach To Prepare Students For The Volatile, Uncertain, Complex And Ambiguous (Vuca) Work Environment, Poh Sun Seow, Gary Pan, Grace Koh

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Due to the constantlychanging work environment, there is a need for universities to produce studentswho can adapt in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) work environment.A university in Singapore introduced its UNIS-X experiential learning pedagogyto prepare her students with future work skills to cope with a VUCA work environment.The UNIS-X approach encompasses four principles (project-based learning;interdisciplinarity; close collaboration between faculty and external partners;and active mentoring) in a single course. The aim of this study is to examinethe effectiveness of the UNIS-X experiential learning pedagogy. Although theUNIS-X group has a higher improvement of problem-solving skills compared to thenon-UNIS-X group, the …


Bridging Academic And Practice: Benefits, Challenges And Lessons Learnt From Establishing A University Wide Experiential Learning Initiative, Gary Pan, Poh Sun Seow, Grace Koh Feb 2018

Bridging Academic And Practice: Benefits, Challenges And Lessons Learnt From Establishing A University Wide Experiential Learning Initiative, Gary Pan, Poh Sun Seow, Grace Koh

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The scale and complexity of challenges facing the world today are unprecedented. It is paramount that universities identify and equip students with relevant skills to meet the needs of the changing economy. Recognizing this need, Singapore Management University launched a new initiative, SMUX. In this paper we will describe SMU-X which is a paradigm shift focusing on experiential learning as opposed to teaching, characterized by 4 principles: (i) inter-disciplinary content and activities, (ii) project-based learning via an actual problem/issue faced by an organization, (iii) active student mentoring by faculty and industry, and (iv) creating a tripartite learning loop between faculty, …


Our Future Together Industry Perspectives: Future Of Professional Learning And Entrepreneurship, Poh Sun Seow, Pan, Gary, Clarence Goh, Kwong Sin Leong Apr 2017

Our Future Together Industry Perspectives: Future Of Professional Learning And Entrepreneurship, Poh Sun Seow, Pan, Gary, Clarence Goh, Kwong Sin Leong

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

This report 2017 marks the second collaboration between ISCA and ICAEW after the successful launch of “Our Future Together” report in 2016 to inspire professional accountants to critically think about what the future holds for Singapore and the accountancy profession. How should accountants embrace transformation in the digital age? How should learning be redefined for the accountancy profession? How can organisational culture encourage innovation and an enterprising spirit in accountants? This report aims to shape the discussion on how education, training and professional learning should be redefined to develop professional accountants who are future-ready, so that they can continue to …


Insights From Educator, Smu's Views, Gary Pan, Poh Sun Seow, Kwong Sin Leong, Clarence Goh Apr 2017

Insights From Educator, Smu's Views, Gary Pan, Poh Sun Seow, Kwong Sin Leong, Clarence Goh

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Forces such as globalisation and digitalisation have led to profound changes in the business environment. Apart from technical accounting knowledge, accountants now also need to equip themselves with a range of other skills that will allow them to thrive in the economy of tomorrow. In this respect, tertiary education has a big role to play in preparing students for their first jobs.At Singapore Management University (SMU), we ensure that our Bachelor of Accountancy programme provides a holistic education emphasising real-world readiness. Centred on a strong accounting core, the curriculum is broad-based, covering business, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership skills, communications, ethics and …


Grooming The Future Disruptive Accounting Professionals, Gary Pan, Gan Hup Tan, Poh Sun Seow Apr 2017

Grooming The Future Disruptive Accounting Professionals, Gary Pan, Gan Hup Tan, Poh Sun Seow

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

In this chapter, we will discuss how SMU brought about innovation changes in the university’s learning environment. In 2011, a steering committee was set up by SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer to develop strategies that focused on innovation in learning pedagogy at the university. Subsequent brainstorming sessions led to the evolution of the SMU-X programme, which aimed to broaden the scope of university education by encompassing real life problems and problem-solving skills in the curriculum. The concept encompassed three key elements: mindset, pedagogy, and physical space. The challenge was to offer more applied learning with close coordination between classroom …


Industry-University Partnership Through Experiential Project-Based Learning: A Singapore Case Study, Gary Pan, Gan Hup Tan, Yvonne Tan Feb 2017

Industry-University Partnership Through Experiential Project-Based Learning: A Singapore Case Study, Gary Pan, Gan Hup Tan, Yvonne Tan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

A radical approach to preparing university students with future work skills, by combining academic with experiential learning through real projects faced by client partners. Learn how a university can create opportunities for collaborative learning and a tripartite learning relationship for academia, students and industry. Outcomes and impact of the case Post-module feedback surveys conducted over AY2015/16 showed that over 80% of the students who took an SMU-X module reported enhanced problem-solving, analytical, reasoning and communication skills, all of which were skills highly valued by employers. These results also dovetailed with SMU-X’s learning outcomes. More than 85% felt that the SMU-X …


Designing An Accounting Analytics Course Using Experiential Learning Approach, Gary Pan, Venky Shankararaman, Poh Sun Seow, Gan Hup Tan Jan 2017

Designing An Accounting Analytics Course Using Experiential Learning Approach, Gary Pan, Venky Shankararaman, Poh Sun Seow, Gan Hup Tan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

This paper describes an undergraduate accounting analytics course which was delivered based on an experiential learning approach. This accounting analytics course is timely as, with the proliferation of Big Data, several accounting professional bodies have highlighted the importance of developing analytical skills among accounting graduates. The experiential learning approach was adopted because there is a need to equip students with future work skills so as to tackle increasingly complex problems. The professors collaborate with external partners to design a course which combines theory with experiential learning through heavy use of projects involving real world problems. Students rated the course favourably. …


Preparing Students For The Future Workforce: An Experiential Learning Approach To Deliver An Accounting Analytics Course, Gary Pan, Venky Shankararaman, Poh Sun Seow, Gan Hup Tan Aug 2016

Preparing Students For The Future Workforce: An Experiential Learning Approach To Deliver An Accounting Analytics Course, Gary Pan, Venky Shankararaman, Poh Sun Seow, Gan Hup Tan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

This paper describes an undergraduate accounting analytics course which was delivered based on an experiential learning approach. This accounting analytics course is timely as, with the proliferation of Big Data, several accounting professional bodies have highlighted the importance of developing analytical skills among accounting graduates. The experiential learning approach was adopted because there is a need to equip students with future work skills so as to tackle increasingly complex problems. The professors collaborate with external partners to design a course which combines theory with experiential learning through heavy use of projects involving real world problems. Students rated the course favourably. …


Preparing Students For The Future Workforce: An Experiential Learning Approach To Deliver An Accounting Analytics Course, Gary Pan, Venky Shankararaman, Poh Sun Seow, Gan Hup Tan Aug 2016

Preparing Students For The Future Workforce: An Experiential Learning Approach To Deliver An Accounting Analytics Course, Gary Pan, Venky Shankararaman, Poh Sun Seow, Gan Hup Tan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

This paper describes an undergraduate accounting analytics course which was delivered based on an experiential learning approach. This accounting analytics course is timely as, with the proliferation of Big Data, several accounting professional bodies have highlighted the importance of developing analytical skills among accounting graduates. The experiential learning approach was adopted because there is a need to equip students with future work skills so as to tackle increasingly complex problems. The professors collaborate with external partners to design a course which combines theory with experiential learning through heavy use of projects involving real world problems. Students rated the course favourably. …


Designing An Accounting Analytics Course Using Experiential Learning Approach, Pan, Gary, Shankararaman, Venky, Poh Sun Seow, Gan Hup Tan Jul 2016

Designing An Accounting Analytics Course Using Experiential Learning Approach, Pan, Gary, Shankararaman, Venky, Poh Sun Seow, Gan Hup Tan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

This paper describes an undergraduate accounting analytics course which was delivered based on an experiential learning approach. This accounting analytics course is timely as, with the proliferation of Big Data, several accounting professional bodies have highlighted the importance of developing analytical skills among accounting graduates. The experiential learning approach was adopted because there is a need to equip students with future work skills so as to tackle increasingly complex problems. The professors collaborate with external partners to design a course which combines theory with experiential learning through heavy use of projects involving real world problems. Students rated the course favourably. …


Preparing Accounting Graduates For Digital Revolution: A Critical Review Of Information Technology Competencies And Skills Development, Gary Pan, Poh-Sun Seow Feb 2016

Preparing Accounting Graduates For Digital Revolution: A Critical Review Of Information Technology Competencies And Skills Development, Gary Pan, Poh-Sun Seow

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The pervasiveness of information technology (IT) in businesses has altered the nature and economies of accounting activities. In particular, the emergence of cloud computing, eXtensible Business Reporting Language, and business analytics in recent years have transformed the way companies report financial performance and make business decisions. As a consequence, there is a surge in demand for advanced IT skills among accounting professionals. In this research, we aim to review selected articles published between 2004 and 2014 based on selected search phrases. The outcome of the review may serve as an important input for current and future accounting curriculum revisions.


A Literature Review Of The Impact Of Extracurricular Activities Participation On Students' Academic Performance, Poh Sun Seow, Gary Pan Oct 2014

A Literature Review Of The Impact Of Extracurricular Activities Participation On Students' Academic Performance, Poh Sun Seow, Gary Pan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Extracurricular activities (ECA) have become an important component of students’ school life and many schools have invested significant resources on extracurricular activities. The authors suggest three major theoretical frameworks (zero-sum, developmental, and threshold) to explain the impact of ECA participation on students’ academic performance. The authors urge researchers to conduct future research on the impact of ECA participation so as to extend the stream of research in the accounting education literature on determinants of students’ academic performance.