Automated Accounting: Are Computers Being Used in Accounting I?

Continuous improvement in the accounting curriculum is needed to prepare students for the technology-based workplace of today\u27s business world. Literature available indicated that using computers in the accounting curriculum, is one essential tool available to students. This study examined the professional opinions and teaching practices of community college and secondary educators in Illinois. A survey was used as the research instrument. There were 148 participants in the study. The purpose of the study was to determine if computers were being used by accounting instructors in Accounting I and when they felt computers should be integrated into their accounting curricula. The findings of this research indicated that accounting instructors believe that computers are an important part of today\u27s accounting curriculum. It also indicated that 81.1% of accounting instructors are using computers to enhance their accounting curricula. Most instructors (76.3%) believe that computers should be used during the first year of accounting. However, there was a significant difference between the opinions of secondary and community college instructors