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An accounting syllabus for marketing students as determined by SME needs and specifications
Author(s)
Bray, Nayeema
Date Issued
2007
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
In South Africa, SME development has been identified by government as a priority in
creating jobs to solve high unemployment.
SMEs also often battle to survive in a tough and ever changing business world. There is
a high failure rate among many SMEs. Some of the reasons for the high rate of failure
are that the owner or manager is unfamiliar with established business practices, lack of
managerial expertise in business management and lack of finance to fund the business.
It is essential that the individuals responsible for the management of the business have
the necessary training and expertise to equip them for the successful running of the
business.
It is therefore crucial that all employees in the SME sector irrespective of the department they
work in obtain some degree of training and expertise. These employees also need some
knowledge of the financial position of the business. This can only be made possible if all
employees have a fair amount of financial knowledge so that decision~making is made
easier.
The curriculum of the CPUT subject 'Accounting for Marketers' may not meet the
requirements of SMEs. It is an advisable that SMEs requirements should be continually
measured against the course offering to ensure that the course equips the students with the
financial knowledge needed by SMEs. This can be done as CPUT has close ties with these
SMEs through co-operative education and intemships.
An attempt was made to identify the skills and techniques required by the marketing students
pertaining to the SUbject 'Accounting for Marketers' in practice and to comparing the syllabi
used in education. This comparison would hopefully lead to a clear understanding of the
gaps between education and practice, if any, which will enable the researcher to make
recommendations regarding the 'Accounting for Marketers' syllabi.
The main purpose of the study was to measure the gap, if any, between the subjects
'Accounting for Marketers' offered at CPUT and the requirements of the SMEs. If indeed a
gap exists, the institution can broaden certain aspects of the syllabi, by incorporating case
studies on legitimate companies, which will aid the students to stay informed about
Accounting in their field of expertise. There will be better integration of theory and practice.
A descriptive research method was followed using a census survey research design to
present a structured comprehensive questionnaire to the total population of SMEs affiliated
with the Department of Cooperative Education and that have participated in the experiential
training program.
The number of SMEs who completed and returned the questionnaires was 15. This resulted
in a response rate of 50 percent which was a fair representation of the entire census.
In support of the findings recommendations were made regarding each component that
formed part of an accounting syllabus. The results indicated that certain components in the
accounting syllabus were rated as very important and others not. Components that were
referred to as important but which were not a part of the syllabus will be under scrutiny by the
researcher to come to a resolution, where these components will be accommodated in the
accounting syllabus for marketing students for 2008.
creating jobs to solve high unemployment.
SMEs also often battle to survive in a tough and ever changing business world. There is
a high failure rate among many SMEs. Some of the reasons for the high rate of failure
are that the owner or manager is unfamiliar with established business practices, lack of
managerial expertise in business management and lack of finance to fund the business.
It is essential that the individuals responsible for the management of the business have
the necessary training and expertise to equip them for the successful running of the
business.
It is therefore crucial that all employees in the SME sector irrespective of the department they
work in obtain some degree of training and expertise. These employees also need some
knowledge of the financial position of the business. This can only be made possible if all
employees have a fair amount of financial knowledge so that decision~making is made
easier.
The curriculum of the CPUT subject 'Accounting for Marketers' may not meet the
requirements of SMEs. It is an advisable that SMEs requirements should be continually
measured against the course offering to ensure that the course equips the students with the
financial knowledge needed by SMEs. This can be done as CPUT has close ties with these
SMEs through co-operative education and intemships.
An attempt was made to identify the skills and techniques required by the marketing students
pertaining to the SUbject 'Accounting for Marketers' in practice and to comparing the syllabi
used in education. This comparison would hopefully lead to a clear understanding of the
gaps between education and practice, if any, which will enable the researcher to make
recommendations regarding the 'Accounting for Marketers' syllabi.
The main purpose of the study was to measure the gap, if any, between the subjects
'Accounting for Marketers' offered at CPUT and the requirements of the SMEs. If indeed a
gap exists, the institution can broaden certain aspects of the syllabi, by incorporating case
studies on legitimate companies, which will aid the students to stay informed about
Accounting in their field of expertise. There will be better integration of theory and practice.
A descriptive research method was followed using a census survey research design to
present a structured comprehensive questionnaire to the total population of SMEs affiliated
with the Department of Cooperative Education and that have participated in the experiential
training program.
The number of SMEs who completed and returned the questionnaires was 15. This resulted
in a response rate of 50 percent which was a fair representation of the entire census.
In support of the findings recommendations were made regarding each component that
formed part of an accounting syllabus. The results indicated that certain components in the
accounting syllabus were rated as very important and others not. Components that were
referred to as important but which were not a part of the syllabus will be under scrutiny by the
researcher to come to a resolution, where these components will be accommodated in the
accounting syllabus for marketing students for 2008.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Marketing))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007
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