THE CHANGING ROLE OF ACCOUNTANTS IN A TRANSITION ECONOMY – EVIDENCE FROM ROMANIA Lecturer PhD Cătălin Nicolae Albu, Academy of Economic Studies of Bucharest Lecturer PhD Nadia Albu, Academy of Economic Studies of Bucharest

ABSTRACT: Recently a number of interventions have impacted the Romanian accounting system, such as the harmonization with the European Directives, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and an increased move towards modern information technologies such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. In this study we directly explore these influences by applying job offer analysis as a reflection of current and future organizational practices (Bollecker, 2000). We determine the competencies expected from accountants in Romanian businesses and ask whether financial accounting and management accounting are separate specialized positions in Romania, or are they developing into hybrid monist positions? We conclude that the state of the Romanian accounting profession is one of transition with some alignment with recent global trends. However, our inter-temporal analysis also suggests a degree of intransience with management and financial accountants, whilst sharing some common competencies, still maintaining a number of attributes associated with the two-cycle accounting system. Finally, we show that ERP competencies are the more important drivers of the hybridization of accountants in Romania