Evaluation of Masters of Science in Accounting and Finance Curriculums A Study on Selected Higher Education Institutions in Ethiopia

Abstract

Although Masters of Science in Accounting and Finance Education has a life of two decades inEthiopia, there are few studies on how it is performing. The main objective of this study is toinvestigate the strengths and weaknesses of Masters of Science in Accounting and Financecurriculums by taking sample public and private higher institutions. Eight higher educationinstitutions were purposely selected and their currently working curriculums were investigatedin depth. International Accounting Education Standard and model Curriculums of UNCTADwere used as a benchmark for comparison. Further, key informant interview were conducted tocollect additional supportive data. The study found that, although most of the technicalaccounting and finance courses are included as compared to International AccountingEducation Standard and model curriculum, some important subjects such as public financialmanagement, Corporate Governance and professional ethics are relatively ignored in themajority of HEIs. The majority of the accounting and finance courses are not revised in line withrecent development in the profession such as IFRS, IPSAS and ISA. Local laws and Regulationsrelated to accounting and finance were not properly incorporated in to the curriculums. Thetexts and reference materials used for the majority of the courses are too old and irrelevant forthe needs of the profession at the moment. The researchers recommended that universities andacademicians need to revisit their curriculums and course syllabus in line with contemporarynational and international development related to Accounting and Finance Profession.