The state of professional accounting education and training

This chapter begins by examining the nature and purpose of professional accounting education and training, locating the discussion within a review of the nature of professions and professional knowledge. The chapter also distinguishes between education and training. This provides the context for the subsequent discussion of the two stages of professional education and training – initial professional development (IPD), and continuing professional development (CPD). The picture that emerges is of a variety of models being used, though there are some broad themes common to most. At the IPD stage, these include the assessment of competence, the incorporation of work experience and syllabi developments in such areas as sustainability and ethics. At the CPD stage, there is a broad distinction between the more prevalent input-based approaches and the rarer output-based ones. There is some early evidence of increased cooperation between professional accounting bodies (PABs) and of increasing diversification to offer additional qualifications.