IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR ACCOUNTANCY STUDY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29444, 21 February 1961, Page 17

IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR ACCOUNTANCY STUDY

Improved facilities for the study of accountancy will be available this year at the University of Canterbury. Besides establishing a chair of accountancy, occupied by Professor A. S. Carrington, the university council has allowed more finance, increased staffing, approved more tutorials, and made more generous provision of accounting literature in the university library. A new alternative course of day-time lectures in accounting I is also being offered. Canterbury University, in recent years, has achieved a high reputation in accountancy education under the guidance of Dr. G. B. Battersby, who will continue to participate in the work of the department with Professor Carrington. The proposed changes, by encouraging a greater degree of association between staff and students, are aimed at further improvement in educational standards and reduction of the substantial "wastage” of students who fail to complete their degree or diploma courses. , Day-time Course In addition to the existing evening course in accounting I (which will be retained for those unable to attend classes during the day) a new course of afternoon lectures is being introduced at stage I this year. It is proposed to extend similar facilities progressively to higher stages in subsequent years. This new course has been established primarily for the benefit of the increasing number of students who are recognising the advantages of at least some full-time study, as urged so strongly in the Parry report on university education. For these people, as well as for other students who are able to arrange attendance at day lectures, the new course offers both better utilisation of study time (with evenings free from lectures) and the opportunity to work in a smaller group, allowing closer contact with lecturers and tutors.

A further measure designed to overcome the lack of personal direction and discussion, which is always a danger

where large lecture classes exist, will be increased emphasis on the use of small tutorial groups under the guidance of either full-time lecturers or part-time tutors. In addition to compulsory tutorials held at normal lecture times, there will be additional daytime tutorials open to both day and evening students at each stage of accounting in which material presented at lectures will be dealt with in greater detail and students* queries given special attention. These day tutorials will be voluntary so that those unable to attend will not be prejudiced in any way in qualifying for terms.

Library Facilities With the expanding range of functions which accountants are expected to perform in the business community, there has been a corresponding broadening of the knowledge required by those planning to enter the profession. These more demanding standards require

wider reading of both technical and background literature. In recognition of this need, funds have been made available to augment the supply of books and periodicals in the accountancy section of the university library. Use of this valuable study aid will be encouraged by guidance on suitable reading programmes. Counselling To supplement the facilities provided, students are being urged to make a practice of consulting members of the staff of the department on personal problems associated with their studies, both prior to enrolment and dtuing the session.

In view of the growing demand for graduates In commerce throughout the country it is hoped that the new facilities may encourage suitable students into this field of study, as well as increasing the proportion who are successful in completing their degree and professional courses.