Working Toward More Engaged And Successful Accounting Students: A Balanced Scorecard Approach

Abstract

Prior research indicates that student engagement is the key to student success, as measured by college grades, degree completion, and graduate school enrollment.  We propose a set of goals and objectives for accounting students, in particular, to help them become engaged not only in the educational process, but also in the accounting profession.  Utilizing a balanced scorecard framework, we categorize these goals into three main perspectives: Learning and Growth, Student Professional Development, and Employer/Graduate School.  The proposed goals are related to each other, suggesting that accounting students recognize the wide reach of their experiences.  If students are able to see that their successful completion of coursework can lead to successful interactions with business professionals (i.e. potential employers), they will be more likely to work hard in their endeavors – in other words, they will be more engaged in the broader educational experience.  If they are more engaged in their educational experiences, they will be more likely to succeed.