An Assessment Program for Accounting: Design, Implementation, and Reflection

Abstract

This paper describes an assessment program for the undergraduate accounting degree program at a large, public university and highlights lessons learned in the application of this program. Faculty developed this program and have implemented assessment activities each year since 1993. Prior research has examined different aspects of designing and implementing accounting assessment programs. This paper adds to the literature by offering in-depth, practical advice regarding implementation issues and by providing specific source information for several standardized tests and tools. This program and the lessons learned in implementing it should be of use to faculty who are in the early stages of assessment-program development. This paper presents an overview of the assessment process, a full description of our assessment program, details of assessment methods, examples of the utilization of assessment results, and a recapitulation of lessons learned.