Accounting competencies from the perspective of transformative learning theory: a study based on serious games

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14392/asaa.2025180107

Keywords:

Transformative learning, Accounting, Serious Games, Competencies

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the development of technical and interpersonal competencies through serious game projects, from the perspective of transformative learning theory.

Methods: The research evaluates skills in three competency groups: foundational competencies, accounting competencies, and broad management competencies, considering the Transformative Learning Theory. This is an empirical study that considered the development of 176 game projects monitored over seven years in an accounting course at a prestigious Brazilian research university. The sample included students in the last semester, whose projects were built based on acquired knowledge and experiences in companies. The method encompasses the steps and structure used in this study.

Results: The results pointed to the most chosen themes for the projects, including business administration, general accounting, finance, managerial accounting, financial accounting, public accounting, audit, tax, and ethics. Using the classification of competencies, Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving, Planning Analysis & Control, External Reporting & Analysis, Process Management & Improvements were most evident, with Quantitative Methods and Information Systems being the competencies with the fewest occurrences.

Contributions: The paper contributes to the literature and accounting profession by providing perspectives into the development of key accounting skills through project-based learning and highlighting the alignment between academic training and market demands.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

ACCA - Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. (2020). The digital accountant: digital skills in a transformed world. Retrieve from https://www.accaglobal.com/in/en/professional-insights/technology/The_Digital_Accountant.html

Akkeren, J. K. V; Tarr, J. (2021). The application of experiential learning for forensic accounting students: the Mock trial. Accounting Education, 31(1), 39-66. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2021.1960573

Avelar, E. A., Durso, S. de O., & Ferreira, C. de O. (2025). Gamificação aplicada à educação contábil com base em algoritmos de inteligência artificial. Revista De Educação e Pesquisa Em Contabilidade (REPeC), 19. https://doi.org/10.17524/repec.v19.e3615

Banasiak, M., & Karczmarzyk, M. (2016). Games as a tool in education. Experiment in teaching/learning competences by student in the school. The New Educational Review, 4(14), 102-112. https://doi.org/10.15804/kie.2016.04.07

Barna, B., & Fodor, S. (2018). An empirical study in the use of gamification on IT courses at Higher Education. In G. D. Auer M (Ed.), Teaching and Learning in a digital world (p. 715). Advances in Intelligent System and Computing.

Berry, R., & Routon, W. (2020). Soft skill change perceptions of accounting majors: Current practitioner views versus their own reality. Journal of Accounting Education, 53, 100691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccedu.2020.100691

Carvalho L. B. de, & Neto J. D. de O. (2023). Serious games may shape the future of accounting education by exploring hybrid skills. Accounting Education, 32(6), 670–693. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2022.2088241

Cottafava, D., Cavalià, G., & Corazza, L. (2019). Education of sustainable development goals through students’ active engagement: a transformative learning experience. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 10(3),521-544. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-05-2018-0152

Cornacchione, E. (2012). Fidelity and game-based technology in management education. Brazilian Administration Review, 9, 147-167. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-76922012000200003

Christie, M., Simon, S., Graham, W., Call, K. & Farragher, Y. (2019), "Bungee jumping and rocket launching: Transformative learning for today’s transformational school leaders", International Journal of Educational Management, 33(7),1610-1624. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-09-2018-0288

Dellaportas, S.; Stevenson-Clarke, P.; Joshi, M.; Fazio, T. (2023). Reflective practice and learning in accounting education. Accounting Education, 32(4), 355-381. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2022.2076565

Durso, S. O., Afonso, L. E., Beltman, S. (2021). Resilience in higher education: A conceptual model and its empirical analysis. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 29(156), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.29.6054

Durso, S. O., Reginato, L., & Cornacchione, E. (2019). Gamification in accounting and students’ skillset. Advances in Scientific and Applied Accounting, 12(3),79-100. https://doi.org/10.14392/ASAA.2019120305

Dolce, V., Emanuel, F., Cisi, M., & Ghislieri, C. (2019). The soft skills of accounting graduates: perceptions versus expectations. Accounting Education, 29(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2019.1697937

Edmonds, R., & Smith, S. (2017). From playing to designing: Enhancing educational experiences with location-based mobile learning games. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 33(6). https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.3583

Fitó-Bertran, À., Hernández-Lara, A. B., & López, E. S. (2015). The effect of competences on learning results: An educational experience with a business simulator. Computers in Human Behavior, 51, 910–914. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.11.003

Hamari, J., Koivisto, J., & Sarsa, H. (2014). Does gamification work? A literature review of empirical studies on gamification. Proceedings of the 47th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. Hawaii USA January, 6–9. https://doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2014.377

Heang, L. T., Ching, L. C., Mee, L. Y., & Huei, C. T. (2019). University Education and Employment Challenges: An Evaluation of Fresh Accounting Graduates in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 9(9), 1061–1076. http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v9-i9/6396

Howieson, B., Hancock, P., Segal, N., Kavanagh, M., Tempone, I., & Kent, J. (2014). Who should teach what? Australian perceptions of the roles of universities and practice in the education of professional accountants. Journal of Accounting Education, 259-275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccedu.2014.05.001

INEP - Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anisio Teixeira. (2022). Microdados do Censo da Educação Superior. Disponível em: https://www.gov.br/inep/pt-br/acesso-a-informacao/dados-abertos/microdados/censo-da-educacao-superior

Kaimara, P., Fokides, E., Olkovóuou, A., Atsikpasi, P.,& Deliyannis, I. (2020). Serious games effect analysis on player’s characteristics. International Journal of Smart Education and Urban Society, 11, 1, 75-91. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJSEUS.2020010106

Kitchenham, A. (2008). The evolution of John Mezirow’s transformative learning theory. Journal of Transformative Education, 6(2), 104-123. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541344608322678

Kokotsaki, D., Menzies, V., & Wiggins, A. (2016). Project-based learning: a review of the literature. Improving Schools, 19(3), 267-277. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1365480216659733

Lawson, R. A., Blocher, E. J., Brewer, P. C., Cokins, G., Sorensen, J. E., Stout, D. E., Sundem, G. L., Wolcott, S. K., & Wouter, M. J. (2014). Focusing Accounting Curricula on Students’ Long-Run Careers: Recommendations for an Integrated Competency-based Framework for Accounting Education. Issues in Accounting Education, 29(2), 295-317. https://doi.org/10.2308/iace-50673

Lawson, R. A., Blocher, E. J., Brewer, P. C., Morris, J. T., Stocks, K. D., Sorensen, J. E., & Wputers, M. J. F. (2015). Thoughts on competency integration in accounting education. Issues in Accounting Education, 30(3), 149-171. https://doi.org/10.2308/iace-51021

Levant, Y., Coulmont, M., & Sandu, R. (2016). Business simulation as an active learning activity for developing soft skills. Accounting Education, 25(4), 368–395. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2016.1191272

Lin, Z. J., Xiong, X., & Liu, M. (2005). Knowledge Base and Skill Development in Accounting Education: evidence from China. Journal of Accounting Education, 23, 149-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccedu.2005.06.003

López-Hernandez, C., Lizarraga-Álvarez, G., & Soto-Pérez, M. (2022). Enhancing learning of accounting principles through experiential learning in a board game. Accounting Education, 32(3), 300-331. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2022.2059770

Magree, J. (2024). The intersection of transformative learning and human education. International Forum of Teaching and Studies, 20(1), 31-38. http://americanscholarspress.us/journals/IFST/pdf/IFOTS-1-2024/IfotsV20n1-art3.pdf

Martin, J. (2018). Skills for the 21st century: Findings and policy lessons from the OECD survey of adult skills. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 166, OECD Publishing, Paris. https://doi.org/10.1787/96e69229-en

MEC – Ministério da Educação. (2024). Resolução CNE/CES Nº 1, de 27 de Março de 2024. Disponível em https://portal.mec.gov.br/index.php?option=com_docman&view=download&alias=257031-rces001-24&category_slug=marco-2024&Itemid=30192

Mezirow, J. (1975). Education for perspective transformation: women’s re-entry programs in community colleges. New York: Centre for Adult Education, Teachers College, Columbia University.

Mezirow, J. (1997). Transformative Learning: theory to practice. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education. Retrieve from https://www.ecolas.eu/eng/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Mezirow-Transformative-Learning.pdf

Miller, T., & Willows, G. D. (2023). Preparing accounting students to be responsible leaders. Accounting Education, 33(5), 539-573. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2023.2228291

Nascimento, C. L. (2022). Construtos do Gap entre o Ensino e a Prática Contábil à Luz da Teoria de Aprendizagem Experiencial. Tese de Doutorado, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Contábeis. Departamento de Contabilidade e Atuária, Faculdade de Economia, Administração, Contabilidade e Atuária da Universidade de São Paulo. São Paulo.

https://doi.org/10.11606/T.12.2022.tde-22122022-210849

Niquini, R. P, Teixeira, L. R, Sousa C. A. de, Manelli, R. N., Luz, A. A. da; Turte-Cavadinha, S. L., & Frida, M. F. (2015). Características do trabalho de estudantes universitários associadas ao seu desempenho acadêmico. Educação em Revista, 31(1), 359–381. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-4698122477

Noe, R. A. (2022). Employee Training and Development. Third Edition. McGraw-Hill Companies.

Ott, E., Cunha, J. V. A., Cornacchione, E., & de Luca, M. M. M. (2011). Relevância dos conhecimentos, habilidades e métodos instrucionais na perspectiva de estudantes e profissionais da área contábil: Estudo comparativo internacional. Revista de Contabilidade e Finanças, 22, 338-356. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1519-70772011000300007

Pathways Commission. (2012). Commission on Accounting Higher Education. Pathways to a Profession: Charting a National Strategy for the Next Generation of Accountants. Sarasota, FL: AAA and AICPA.

Qasim, A., & Kharbat, F. F. (2020). Blockchain Technology, Business Data Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence: Use in the Accounting Profession and Ideas for Inclusion into the Accounting Curriculum. Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting,17(1), 107–117. https://doi.org/10.2308/jeta-52649

Rebele, J. E., & St. Pierre, E. K. (2019). A commentary on learning objectives for accounting education programs: The importance of soft skills and technical knowledge. Journal of Accounting Education, 48, 71-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccedu.2019.07.002

Reginato, L. & Cornacchione, E. (2021). Building planes and learning standard costing: A student-centered approach. Contabilidade Vista & Revista, 32, 71-103. https://doi.org/10.22561/cvr.v32i1.5595

Reginato, L., Durso, S. O., Nascimento, C. L., & Cornacchione, E. (2022). Transfer of learning in accounting program: The role of business games. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2021.100592

Rinaldi, L., Cho, C. H., Lodhia, S. K., Michelon, G., & Tilt, C. A. (2020). Accounting in times of the COVID-19 pandemic: a forum for academic research. Accounting Forum, 44(3), 180-183. https://doi.org/10.1080/01559982.2020.1778873

Ryan, C. L., Cant, R., McAllister, M. M., Vanderburg, R., Batty, C. (2022). Transformative learning theory applications in health professional and nursing education: an umbrella review. Nurse Education Today, 119, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105604

Sandberg, J. (2000). Understanding human competence at work: an interpretative approach. Academy of management journal. New York, Vol. 43, Nº 1.

Sveiby, L. (1997). The new organizational wealth: managing and measuring knowledge-based assets. San Francisco: Berret-Koehler.

Tan, L. M., & Laswad, F. (2018). Professional skills required of accountants: what do job advertisements tell us? Accounting Education, 27(4), 403–432. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2018.1490189

Turhan, N. S. (2020). Karl Peason’s chi-square tests. Educational Research and Reviews, 15(9), 575-580. https://doi.org/10.5897/ERR2019.3817

Webb, J.; Chaffer, C. (2016). The Expectation Performance Gap in Accounting Education: a review of generic skills development in UK accounting degrees. Accounting Education, 25(4), 349-367. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2016.1191274

World Economic Forum. (2016). What are the 21st-century skills every student needs? Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/03/21st-century-skills-future-jobs-students/

Published

2025-08-18

How to Cite

Reginato, L., de Oliveira Durso, S., Nascimento, C. de L., & Cornacchione, E. (2025). Accounting competencies from the perspective of transformative learning theory: a study based on serious games. Advances in Scientific and Applied Accounting, 18(1), 162–176/177. https://doi.org/10.14392/asaa.2025180107

Issue

Section

ARTICLES