Improving the Quality of Educators

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 21 views

Analysis of Factors that Influence the Professionalization of Accounting Students at the University of North Sumatra

Introduction

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) era has brought about significant changes in the job market, particularly in the field of accounting. The increasing demand for professionals with high competence and strong competitiveness has led to a pressing need for accounting students to be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to face the challenges of the modern era. The University of North Sumatra (USU) is one of the institutions that play a crucial role in producing competent and competitive accountants. However, the question remains: are USU accounting students ready to face the challenges of the MEA era?

The Importance of Professionalization in the MEA Era

The MEA era demands professionals, including accountants, to have high competence and strong competitiveness. In this era, accountants are not only required to have technical skills but also to possess soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The ability to adapt to changing technology and industry trends is also essential. Therefore, it is crucial for accounting students to be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to face the challenges of the MEA era.

Factors that Influence the Professionalization of USU Accounting Students

This study analyzes the factors that influence the professionalization of USU accounting students in increasing the competitiveness of the accountant profession in the MEA era. Through the multiple regression method, this study involved 100 respondents who filled out the questionnaire. The results show that there are positive and significant influences from three main factors:

The Role of Educators

Educators play a vital role in building student professionalism. The quality of teaching, professional experience, and their ability to integrate theory with practice is crucial. Educators who are knowledgeable, experienced, and able to connect theory with practice can help students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to face the challenges of the MEA era. Therefore, it is essential to improve the quality of educators through training, certification, and professional development programs.

Curriculum Connectivity

Curriculum that is relevant to the needs of the job market and is integrated with technological developments is very important. Students must be equipped with knowledge and skills in accordance with the demands of the accountant profession in the MEA era. A curriculum that is relevant and up-to-date can help students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to face the challenges of the MEA era. Therefore, it is essential to revise the curriculum to be relevant and in accordance with the needs of the job market.

Competency Specifications

Development of clear and measurable competency specifications for accounting students is very important. This will help them focus on developing the skills needed to face the challenges of the accountant profession in the future. Competency specifications can help students identify the skills and knowledge they need to develop to become competent and competitive accountants.

The Impact of These Factors on the Professionalization of USU Accounting Students

This study shows that these three factors together and partially have a positive and significant effect on the professionalization of USU accounting students. That is, improving the quality of educators, relevant curriculum, and directed competency specifications will improve the professionalism of accounting students and prepare them to compete in the MEA era.

Suggestions for Building Strong Professionalism

To build strong professionalism, comprehensive strategic steps are needed. Here are some suggestions that can be implemented:

Improving the Quality of Educators

Through training, certification, and professional development programs, educators can improve their expertise and experience. This will help them develop the necessary skills and knowledge to teach students effectively and prepare them for the challenges of the MEA era.

Revising the Curriculum

By involving practitioners and following the development of industry, the curriculum can be renewed to be relevant and in accordance with the needs of the job market. This will help students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to face the challenges of the MEA era.

Encouraging Technology Skills

Students need to be equipped with qualified information and communication technology skills (ICT), such as data analysis, financial modeling, and the use of accounting software. This will help them develop the necessary skills to work effectively in the modern era.

Building a Professional Network

Building connections with practitioners and professional institutions will help students get work experience and develop professional networks. This will help them develop the necessary skills and knowledge to become competent and competitive accountants.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of professionalization in the MEA era and the factors that influence the professionalization of USU accounting students. The results show that there are positive and significant influences from three main factors: the role of educators, curriculum connectivity, and competency specifications. To build strong professionalism, comprehensive strategic steps are needed. By implementing these suggestions, USU accounting students can prepare themselves to face the challenges of the MEA era, contribute to the progress of the Indonesian accounting sector, and become competent and competitive accountants in the global era.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Improve the quality of educators through training, certification, and professional development programs.
Revise the curriculum to be relevant and in accordance with the needs of the job market.
Develop clear and measurable competency specifications for accounting students.
Encourage technology skills, such as data analysis, financial modeling, and the use of accounting software.
Build a professional network by connecting with practitioners and professional institutions.

By implementing these recommendations, USU accounting students can develop the necessary skills and knowledge to face the challenges of the MEA era and become competent and competitive accountants in the global era.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Professionalization of Accounting Students at the University of North Sumatra

Q: What is the importance of professionalization in the MEA era?

A: The MEA era demands professionals, including accountants, to have high competence and strong competitiveness. In this era, accountants are not only required to have technical skills but also to possess soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The ability to adapt to changing technology and industry trends is also essential.

Q: What are the factors that influence the professionalization of USU accounting students?

A: The study found that there are positive and significant influences from three main factors: the role of educators, curriculum connectivity, and competency specifications. These factors together and partially have a positive and significant effect on the professionalization of USU accounting students.

Q: What is the role of educators in building student professionalism?

A: Educators play a vital role in building student professionalism. The quality of teaching, professional experience, and their ability to integrate theory with practice is crucial. Educators who are knowledgeable, experienced, and able to connect theory with practice can help students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to face the challenges of the MEA era.

Q: How can educators improve their quality?

A: Educators can improve their quality through training, certification, and professional development programs. This will help them develop the necessary skills and knowledge to teach students effectively and prepare them for the challenges of the MEA era.

Q: What is the importance of curriculum connectivity in building student professionalism?

A: Curriculum that is relevant to the needs of the job market and is integrated with technological developments is very important. Students must be equipped with knowledge and skills in accordance with the demands of the accountant profession in the MEA era. A curriculum that is relevant and up-to-date can help students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to face the challenges of the MEA era.

Q: How can the curriculum be revised to be relevant and in accordance with the needs of the job market?

A: The curriculum can be revised by involving practitioners and following the development of industry. This will help students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to face the challenges of the MEA era.

Q: What is the importance of competency specifications in building student professionalism?

A: Development of clear and measurable competency specifications for accounting students is very important. This will help them focus on developing the skills needed to face the challenges of the accountant profession in the future.

Q: How can students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to become competent and competitive accountants?

A: Students can develop the necessary skills and knowledge by improving the quality of educators, revising the curriculum, and developing clear and measurable competency specifications. They can also build a professional network by connecting with practitioners and professional institutions.

Q: What are the benefits of building strong professionalism among USU accounting students?

A: Building strong professionalism among USU accounting students can help them prepare themselves to face the challenges of the MEA era, contribute to the progress of the Indonesian accounting sector, and become competent and competitive accountants in the global era.

Q: What are the recommendations for building strong professionalism among USU accounting students?

A: The following recommendations are made:

Improve the quality of educators through training, certification, and professional development programs.
Revise the curriculum to be relevant and in accordance with the needs of the job market.
Develop clear and measurable competency specifications for accounting students.
Encourage technology skills, such as data analysis, financial modeling, and the use of accounting software.
Build a professional network by connecting with practitioners and professional institutions.