Orientation and training practices for graduate accountants in a large audit firm : an analysis

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyse the nature of the orientation and training practices provided to graduate accountants who join a large audit firm as fulltime employees once they are fully qualified from the University of Malta with a Master in Accountancy. It also aims to understand whether such orientation and training practices address the expectations of future and current graduates.

Design: A qualitative research was adopted to address the objectives of this study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a total of 25 interviewees: 11 interviewees to gain insight into the employer’s perspective, and with another 14 interviewees to gain insight into the employees’ perspective.

Findings: The main finding of this study is that not all the departments within the firm provide the same form of orientation and training practices. Nonetheless, orientation and training are considered to be very important both from the employer’s and employees’ perspective. Additionally, there are major differences between the nature of the orientation practices and employee expectations. This implies the need to address certain aspects of orientation which are not taken into account by the firm. With regards to off-the-job training, the nature of the training broadly matches employees’ expectations, however, there are some differences that need to be addressed for more effective training.

Conclusions: This study concludes that given the importance of the orientation and training practices for new employees and the differences that arise between the nature and expectations of such practices, the firm might need to update or change certain aspects to make these practices more effective whilst ensuring employee retention and efficiency.

Value: Since various university students might not feel confident to take on full-time employment once they graduate, this study is valuable in providing these students with some insight into what kind of orientation and training practices are typically adopted by large audit firms. Furthermore, this study is also valuable to the audit firm that was the subject of this study by way of helping it improve its current orientation and training practices.