INTHEBLACK October 2026 - Magazine - Page 42
F E AT U R E
“Some universities are very open to
industry collaboration,” she says. “In some
cases, we have suggested updating content
that has not changed for many years so that
students graduate with skills that are more
relevant to today’s workplace.”
Teoh adds that internships are also
effective in exposing young talent to the
accounting profession.
“When interns complete their placements,
they often tell me that they have learned
things they never encountered at university.
They gain a much clearer understanding
of what employers are looking for and how
accounting operates in practice.”
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42 INTHEBLACK October 2026
EARLY ENGAGEMENT
IFAC’s research shows that early exposure to
accounting makes a significant difference
to career perceptions.
“Young people need to understand the
opportunities the profession offers and
the fact that every industry relies on
accounting,” says Vivian. “Whatever
someone is passionate about, there is likely
a role for accountants within that field.
“Early exposure should not focus on
the technical and manual elements that are
increasingly being automated. Instead, it
should focus on why accounting matters.”
CPA Australia is working to help rebuild
the talent pipeline. Reaching students earlier
is a key priority.
“CPA Australia staff and student
ambassadors attend high school expos
and careers events, and we are investing
in new ways of engaging students,” says
Keppel-Jones. “For example, we have
developed virtual reality experiences and
interactive activities that demonstrate
concepts like entrepreneurship, profit and
decision-making in a way that is engaging
and relevant.”
Early engagement may also make the
profession more appealing to younger
generations interested in technology,
problem-solving and innovation.
“Modern accountants increasingly work
with innovative technologies, analyse
business performance, identify trends
and provide strategic insights that support
decision-making,” says Dr Dimitrios Salampasis,
associate professor in emerging technologies
and fintech at Swinburne University of
Technology and a member of CPA Australia’s
Digital Transformation Centre of Excellence.
“This makes the profession more dynamic
and intellectually stimulating than it has
traditionally been viewed.”
Universities are making efforts to rethink
accounting education across “multiple lenses”,
Salampasis notes. This includes integrating
data analytics, AI, sustainability reporting,
forensic accounting and crypto accounting
alongside traditional accounting principles,
as well as forging partnerships with professional
organisations to enable mentoring and
accreditation programs. “Collectively, these
efforts aim to reposition accounting as a
strategic, technology-driven profession,
addressing both recruitment challenges and the
long-term retention of skilled graduates,” he says.
CREATING NEW PATHWAYS
CPA Australia is also redesigning pathways
into the profession.
“There are now multiple routes available,
including traditional pathways,
experience-based pathways, executive
pathways and academic pathways,” says
Keppel-Jones. “The aim is to create a system
that is more flexible, more modular and more
responsive to different backgrounds and
experiences, while maintaining professional
quality.”
Keppel-Jones adds that recognition
of prior learning and professional experience
is becoming increasingly important in
bringing new ideas, skills and perspectives
into the profession for the benefit of
employers and clients.
“We also need to recognise that the
profession itself requires a diverse range
of skills,” she says. “We should not be
looking only for people who fit one
traditional profile.”
Vivian believes flexible career pathways
are just one way of opening doors to future
accounting talent.
“The idea is simple,” he says. “We know
that there is talent out there, but sometimes
people are blocked by systems we have
created ourselves. This is not about reducing
standards. It is about removing unnecessary
barriers. That includes creating more
flexible qualification pathways, recognising
that university is not the only route and
acknowledging that people can come from
a wider range of educational backgrounds.
“If we are encouraging people to join the
profession, we need to make sure the door
is actually open when they arrive.” ■
