Beyond the Ledger: A Qualitative Study of Skill Development in Accounting Internships

Abstract

This paper explores the role of accounting internships in helping undergraduate students to develop both soft and technical skills. The qualitative approach was applied by engaging in in-depth interviews with 15 accounting students that undertaken their internships in different professional environments. Participants were placed among auditing companies and corporate accounting departments, and the interviews took about 30-45 minutes each. Thematic analysis has been used to identify and interpret the essential patterns presented in the data through a six-phase system presented by Braun and Clarke (2006) to ensure the systematic identification and interpretation. Using Transformative Learning Theory as a thematic analysis approach, it was observed that there were four major themes, namely improved communication and interpersonal confidence, practical technical learning, developing career identity, and student recommendations on enhancing internship design. The results indicate that internships can be viewed as the transformative environments in which the academic knowledge is applied to the real-life problems and stimulates critical thinking and development of the self. The research identifies the necessity of carefully designed mentorship, tasks that match the skills of the intern and institutional support to make the most of the developmental potential of internships. These findings have current implications on curriculum developers, teachers and industry collaborators who seek to create impactful internship experiences in the future of accounting practitioners.