How we make young people enthusiastic about becoming accountants
How do you ensure that new generations warm up to the important profession of accountant? By providing them engaging education that matches their world of experience. Peter Eimers, professor of Audit & Assurance and director of the Accountancy Programme at VU Amsterdam, explains what that education looks like and why he is increasingly becoming a coach rather than a teacher who simply imparts his knowledge onto students.
Author: Aafke Jochems
Great need for independent opinion
Eimers is a man from the field with a heart for education. In addition to his work at VU Amsterdam, he is a partner at Ernst & Young (EY). ‘I enjoy explaining the relevance and intricacies of the profession. Accountants matter. There is a great need for the independent and reliable opinion of the accountant in our society, especially now that the world is becoming increasingly complex, global and digital. We are dependent on each other worldwide and there is extensive interaction, with all the risks that entails. As an accountant, you really matter in this dynamic society.’
'As an accountant, you really matter in this dynamic society.’
Imminent shortage of accountants
Due to factors such as the labour market shortage, declining student enrolment and an ageing population, there is a growing shortage of accountants. As a result, the number of students who opt for an accountancy education will continue to decline. ‘There are fewer and fewer accountants who have to handle an increasing workload,’ Eimers said based on his experience. ‘There's always something new. In recent years, there has been increased attention on fraud, violations of laws and regulations and continuity. In 2024, ESG (Environmental Social Governance) will be added. In the meantime, there is a great deal of innovation due to the new possibilities of technology.’ The report Dot on the horizon, published at the end of 2022 by the professional association NBA and the Committee on Exit Qualifications for Accountancy Training (CEA), confirms that stacking cannot be done indefinitely and that efforts must be made to work on a different structure for the education of chartered accountants.
Theory and practice closely aligned
In order to turn the tide of fewer students and therefore fewer accountants, it is crucial to make the study more attractive and future-proof. VU Amsterdam therefore places the student's experience at the heart of its education. A good example is the PGO Accountancy (postgraduate programme). Students who follow this part-time course must gain practical experience. They play chess in four areas at the same time: theoretical education, practical education, work life, and private life. Eimers: ‘That's too many chessboards. Therefore, we’re currently preparing for a significant adjustment to the programme: shifting from subject-oriented to theme-based education and optimising the integration of the theoretical and practical components in the curriculum for becoming a chartered accountant. The timing is much more logical; the student learns the subject when he or she is also working on it in practice. Theory and practice fit well together. Study and work are thus more predictable and manageable for the student. This makes the entrance into the accounting profession more attractive for the new generation.’
Varied and interactive working methods
According to Eimers, the time has passed when it was normal to spend two hours in a lecture listening to a teacher who was constantly speaking. ‘We start from varied and interactive working methods. Teachers are coaches, sometimes I even feel like a big brother who helps others on their way. We teach students why things are useful and give them tools and concepts to apply them themselves in new situations. Because of the new set-up, they can see the forest for the trees again. They have an overview of their studies and, as a result, of their lives.’
'My belief is that the new generation of professionals is smarter than my generation'
Smarter generation
‘My belief is that the new generation of professionals is smarter than my generation. They certainly need other skills and are better at them than their predecessors. It's up to our generation to bring them to our level so they can spread their wings and continue to grow. They are the future,’ Eimers concluded.
During the part time postgraduate master Accountancy you develop into an all-round financial auditor. The lectures are given by leading teachers. They take you into the latest developments, such as technological progress, data analytics and digital auditing. Our teachers are working professionals and can therefore teach you how to deal with situations that you encounter at work. How do you keep your back straight when necessary, when do you ring the bell? You conclude the course with an RA theory certificate.