Transdisciplinary relationship between mathematics and accounting

Abstract

Accounting and mathematics are closely related. There is little mathematics content that a profound relationship exists between mathematics and accounting. There is, however, a limited understanding of the nature of this relationship and the extent to which mathematics influences the teaching and learning of accounting. Accounting scholars perform a variety of calculations in accounting courses, making mathematics integral to the successful study of accounting. This investigative study is hinged on transdisciplinary relationship between mathematics and accounting in an undergraduate teacher education degree. The purpose of this article was to identify the mathematics topics required for the study of accounting in a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree curriculum. A detailed analysis of the BEd Accounting course content for Accounting I, II and III regarding mathematical topics students encounter in their accounting modules was undertaken. A content analysis in the form documents was employed. Accounting course packs were analysed for mathematics required in a BEd curriculum. The analysis of accounting course packs revealed a range of mathematical content required for accounting. This finding confirmed the mathematical content needed for accounting, as identified under literature review. This article concludes with the implications for basic education, higher education, textbook writers, curriculum specialists and international policymakers.

Hacia la transformación de los estudiantes: un proceso transdisciplinario para la educación superior

“…Dichas publicaciones se clasificaron, de acuerdo con su propuesta, en cuatro categorías: la primera se compone por aquellas que proponen un diseño de un programa o curso de estudios, como son propuestas que integran técnicas modernas de gestión y conceptos de sostenibilidad con la dinámica de la industria y la sociedad (Century, Ferris y Zuo, 2020;Contreras, Jiménez, Browne y Oliva-Figueroa, 2020;Mkhize, 2019;Mokhele y Pinfold, 2020;Oliva-Figueroa et al, 2018;Roysen y Cruz, 2020;Rupnik y Avsec, 2020;Serviss y Voss, 2019).…”

Exploring the school-university mathematics skills gap for Economic Sciences

“…In the literature, the context for researching this gap is mainly in pure mathematics, science and engineering; therefore, references from these areas and related journals are included. Lately studies in other areas appeared, for example indicating the mathematics preknowledge needed to study Accounting (Mkhize, 2019).…”

Pre-service accounting teachers’ confidence and motivation in doing mathematics

“…There is a limited understanding of the nature of the relationship between mathematics and accounting (Yunker et al, 2009, Mkhize, 2019 and the extent to which mathematics influences the teaching and learning of accounting. Accounting students perform a variety of calculations in accounting courses.…”

“…Number and operations, patterns and algebra, and data handling and probabilities skills that can be acquired in the subject of mathematics are found to be useful in accounting courses. It is vital to have mathematics skills to complete accounting tasks or activities as they are full of basic and advanced calculations and report accurate financial information (Mkhize, 2019, Villamar et al, 2020. This study was driven by the need to investigate pre-service teachers' perceptions of the confidence and motivation in doing mathematics in Bachelor of Education Accounting courses at the higher education institution (HEI), with the aim of informing higher education heutagogy as it relates to teaching and learning in accounting.…”