No abstract

The current reality of the business world, commands that economists and especially accountants include in their daily routine contemporary and advanced information systems with which it is considered necessary that economists and accountants be familiar and well trained. IT knowledge and skills are increasingly important for graduates to enter the accounting job market. Over the last years, the persistent discrepancy between IT skills provided by job candidates and expectations of employers has triggered many scholars and research centers to focus on the graduate skills gap. The lack of education of business schools comprises an obstacle to the normalization of new circumstances as there is no defined standard of necessary knowledge and the appropriate lessons learning technologies are not included in the curriculum. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of graduates’ IT knowledge on their perceived readiness to enter the accounting job market. A self-administered survey conducted and a sample of 363 questionnaires was gathered for the purpose of the study. Principal components analysis supported four components of IT tools which were used in hierarchical regression analysis as determinants of the perceived work readiness of graduates. During the analysis satisfaction with the teaching and learning processes were taken into consideration as well as the type of the institution graduates attend. Research findings indicate that educators must give attention to specific accounting IT tools and applications so as to enhance graduates’ level of knowledge. Satisfaction with learning and teaching experience and the type of institution are important causal elements for graduates’ work-readiness.

PurposeThis paper examines issues that focus on the importance of accounting data generated knowledge information and its role in modern business. The cognitive aspect of this research reflects the ability of companies and its employees to apply knowledge for managerial purposes using accounting data.Design/methodology/approachUsing a questionnaire, a five-factor model related to information communication, information cognitive utilization, functional optimization, applicability and cognitive efficiency was created.FindingsFindings present a series of complex correlations highlighting possible actions to utilize knowledge as a tool for management. Information is obtained regarding the management of knowledge and the adoption of information systems.Research limitations/implicationsThe results reflect the limited implementation of intellectual capital practices and understanding of knowledge as a financial tool for executives and employees. Based on the above, an attempt was made to formulate the questions for the careful identification of the factors.Practical implicationsRapid developments in information and communication technologies, together with a realization that knowledge is a resource of general and cost strategic importance, changed the operational structures of companies, shifting value from materials to intangible assets. This paper demonstrates how multiple variables are correlated and how small changes could help increase intellectual capital and facilitate the construction of knowledge based systems.Social implicationsThe need for an accounting valuation of intellectual capital in order to present the true picture of business value is evident. This paper illustrates factors such as interactive communication and systematic cognitive efficiency or the monetization of information as a preliminary step for future valuation and management intellectual capital models.Originality/valueDirect access to sufficient and reliable information, lead to the search for effective tools for the creation, aggregation and exchange of knowledge. The latter becomes a key goal for information systems. Emphasis is placed on the benefits and critical success factors of knowledge management systems, as essential information systems to support and enhance organizational processes.