• Workshop item

Embedding Employment into Accounting and Finance Curricula

Elkington, E. 2026. Embedding Employment into Accounting and Finance Curricula. BAFA Accounting Education conference 2026. Sheffield Management School 26 - 29 May 2026

TitleEmbedding Employment into Accounting and Finance Curricula
AuthorsElkington, E.
TypeWorkshop item
Abstract

This session proposal for the Accounting Education Conference focuses on innovative strategies for embedding employability within the accounting curriculum. The core purpose is to share a holistic approach to curriculum design, integrating lifelong professional skills and fostering social capital and belonging both within and beyond higher education. Key elements include authentic education and assessment, as well as mentoring schemes with professional networks to support students’ transition into the profession.
The session adopted a reflective approach, drawing on presenters’ experience with mapping learning outcomes to employment competencies, collaborating with industry to create relevant assessment tasks, embedding reflective modules, and establishing mentoring programmes.
These interventions have led to tangible improvements in student employability, with graduates showing greater confidence and readiness for the workplace. Employers have observed enhanced adaptability and preparedness in new professionals, while alumni appreciate the emphasis on networking and skill development throughout their studies. Staff development has further ensured consistent integration of employability across modules.
The practical implications for educators include actionable strategies for embedding employability in accounting programmes, such as curriculum mapping, stakeholder engagement, and the use of authentic assessments.
The originality of this work lies in its synthesis of reflective practice with curriculum innovation, providing a model for strategic leadership in higher education. These practices can be adapted to other subject areas and institutions seeking to enhance graduate employability.

KeywordsAccounting Education, Employability
Year2026
ConferenceBAFA Accounting Education conference 2026
Accepted author manuscript
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Open (open metadata and files)
Web address (URL) of conference proceedingshttps://bafa.ac.uk/subgroups/special-interest-groups/accounting-education/events/upcoming-events/accounting-education-sig-annual-conference-and-agm-2026.html

Related outputs

Engaging Students in Work Experience: A Placement Preparation Module at the University of Westminster
Lowe, T., Elkington, E., Brew-Riverson, I., Benamraoui, A., Petratos, P., Ze-To, S., Vindis, T., Whinnett, E. and Dr David Scott 2026. Engaging Students in Work Experience: A Placement Preparation Module at the University of Westminster. BAFA Accounting Education conference 2026. Sheffield Management School 26 - 29 May 2026

Teaching and learning approaches that students show up for - An exploratory study of student engagement and attendance in UK Higher Education.
Elkington, E., Brew-Riverson, I. and Lowe, T. 2026. Teaching and learning approaches that students show up for - An exploratory study of student engagement and attendance in UK Higher Education. Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice. 14 (2), pp. 391-403. https://doi.org/10.56433/tgt56z85

Embedding Employability in the Accounting Curriculmn
Elkington, E. 2026. Embedding Employability in the Accounting Curriculmn. BAFA Accounting Education conference 2026. Sheffield Management School 26 - 29 May 2026

Facilitating the Development of Humanistic Capabilities in Accounting
Elkington, E. 2026. Facilitating the Development of Humanistic Capabilities in Accounting. 48th Annual Congress of the European Accounting Association. Prague, Czech Republic 27 - 29 May 2026

Embedding Employability into the Curriculum: From 100% exams to 100% authentic assessment
Elkington, E. 2026. Embedding Employability into the Curriculum: From 100% exams to 100% authentic assessment. Chartered Association of Business Schools: Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Conference 2026. Manchester, UK 18 - 19 May 2026

Belonging through storytelling: why narrative matters in accounting education
Elkington, E. and Hyde, C. 2026. Belonging through storytelling: why narrative matters in accounting education. Accounting Cafe.

Using stories in Accounting Education to create belonging
Elkington, E. and Hyde, C. 2026. Using stories in Accounting Education to create belonging . Accounting Cafe Symposium 2026. London 06 Feb 2026

What works to increase student attendance and engagement in timetabled sessions - An exploratory study of student engagement in Finance and Accounting education
Elkington, E., Brew-Riverson, I. and Lowe, T. 2025. What works to increase student attendance and engagement in timetabled sessions - An exploratory study of student engagement in Finance and Accounting education. RAISE Annual Conference 2025. University of Glasgow, Scotland 04 - 05 Sep 2025

An invitation to change the culture
Elkington, E. 2024. An invitation to change the culture. University of Hertfordshire Complexity and Management Conference. Roffey Park 07 - 09 Jun 2024

Exploration on The Double Bind of Metrics
Elkington, E. 2023. Exploration on The Double Bind of Metrics . University of Hertfordshire Complexity and Management Conference. Roffey Park Institute 02 - 04 Jun 2023

Ethical Problems of Insider Research
Elkington, E. 2022. Ethical Problems of Insider Research. University of Hertfordshire Research Conference. Hatfield, Hertfordshire 15 Jun 2022

The use of Higher Order MCQs in assessment
Elkington, E. 2022. The use of Higher Order MCQs in assessment. University of Hertfordshire, Teaching and Learning Conference. Hatfield, United Kingdom 05 - 07 Jul 2022

The Double Bind of Metrics
Elkington, E. 2022. The Double Bind of Metrics. in: Mowles, C. and Norman, K. (ed.) Complexity and the Public Sector Routledge.

The backstage effects of working with metrics
Elkington, E. 2021. The backstage effects of working with metrics. Hertfordshire Business School’s Complexity Management Centre Symposium on ‘Exploring Complexity of Conflict and Organising in the Time of Covid-19’. Online Nov 2021

Subjugation and Subterfuge: Struggling with Metrics as a Middle Manager in a UK Business School
Elkington, E. 2021. Subjugation and Subterfuge: Struggling with Metrics as a Middle Manager in a UK Business School. Prof Doc Thesis University of Hertfordshire https://doi.org/10.18745/th.27194

How to manage continuation of accounting students
Elkington, E. 2018. How to manage continuation of accounting students. Committee for Departments of Accounting and Finance Annual Conference. 2018

Extending Contact Time with Students
Elkington, E. 2012. Extending Contact Time with Students. University of Hertfordshire Business School Teaching and Learning Conference. 2012

Changes in the UK HE market and the implication for Australian Universities
Elkington, E. 2011. Changes in the UK HE market and the implication for Australian Universities. Australian and New Zealand Finance and Accounting conference (AFINZ). Melbourne 2012

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/x7386/embedding-employment-into-accounting-and-finance-curricula


Share this

Tweet
Email

Usage statistics

0 total views
1 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.