Pedagogy

How we approach our teaching makes all the difference to the student experience

These resources focus mainly on approaches to teaching, such as active learning, assessment strategies, effective feedback etc.

If you’re looking for specific ideas for the best way, the best order or the best words to use to teach accounting, try Teaching tips where there are lots of practical ideas for your teaching.

Protected: AI Won’t Get You a Pass. Engagement Will.

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How to design an accounting course that develops critical thinking

Susan Wolcott on designing courses and assignments that get accounting students to move from rule-following to critical reflection. Most accounting students start out wanting to find the right answers. Far fewer learn what to do when there isn’t one. In this free webinar, Susan Wolcott argues that the gap can…Read more

Embracing AI effectively for assessment and to develop employability skills

For the last three years at University of Sussex Business School, we have taken the view that generative AI is here to stay and have been evolving our approach to attempt to use it productively, rather than treating it only as a threat to academic integrity. What we’ve arrived at…Read more

Pop-up 2026 at Warwick Business School

Pop-up Symposium · 18 Sep · Warwick · £135 Book your place Book your place Friday 18 September 2026 · Warwick Business School · 10am–5pm · £135 incl. lunch A one-day gathering of accounting educators — friendly, practical, and full of ideas you can use on Monday. Join us at…Read more

Opportunity: Explore AI marking at scale

At Accounting Cafe, we believe in more than just sharing knowledge. In our own small way, we want to shape the future of accounting education. AI marking is one of the most exciting and underexplored frontiers in accounting education. Beyond the obvious efficiency gains, it has potential for improved consistency…Read more

Are we designing accounting education for the wrong world?

Dr. Ramchandra Bhusal calls for a fundamental rethinking of professional development in the digital age In this free webinar, Dr. Ramchandra Bhusal asks whether accounting education is still being designed around assumptions that no longer fully reflect how modern professional learning takes place. Drawing on his the session discusses Applied…Read more

Shaping the future: Rethinking skills development in accounting and tax

Nicky Thomas and Stephanie Tiller ask, “How do we help students develop the awareness, adaptability, and reflective capability needed to continually learn throughout their professional lives?” The accounting and tax profession is evolving at pace in response to technological advancements, regulatory changes and an increased emphasis on professional development. The…Read more

Learning together on purpose: Join a Learning Hive

A Learning Hive is a small, structured peer-learning group that meets regularly over two to four months to work through a shared professional challenge. Most professional learning follows a familiar pattern. Someone identifies a gap. A course is commissioned, a webinar scheduled, a reading list circulated. People attend, or don’t.…Read more

Teaching fundamentals of accounting to diverse cohorts

When Christine Gan handed her students printed templates and asked them to put their laptops away, she wasn’t being nostalgic — she was being strategic. But what happened next surprised her. Teaching Fundamentals of Accounting in 2025 was both a challenge and a deeply rewarding experience. The class consisted of…Read more

Belonging through storytelling: why narrative matters in accounting education

Employers want graduates who can interpret, communicate, and exercise judgement. As two chartered accountants who have spent careers bridging professional practice and academia, Emma Elkington and Catriona Hyde argue that storytelling is how we get there — and why belonging may be the most transformative learning outcome of all. In…Read more

Simulated audit engagement: An authentic profession-relevant assessment

If we want students to think and act like auditors, we should assess them in ways that require them to be auditors. One of the perennial challenges in accounting education is bridging the gap between what students learn in lectures and what they are expected to do in professional practice. Auditing, in…Read more

Description: An infographic titled ‘Ten ways Generative AI is remaking finance and accounting processes’. This title is in the centre of a circle where the ten reasons are depicted outside the circle with different accompanying icons. Working clockwise, the ten ways listed are: document analysis, financial report generation, financial analysis and forecasting, improved compliance, improved customer experience, fraud detection, automation of repetitive tasks, targeted communications, increased efficiency and cost savings, and improved insights and decision-making.

Is AI replacing the tools we’re teaching our accounting students?

The use of AI can be seen as a way to save time and become more efficient, but would you rely on it to choose which companies to invest in? Or would you rely on AI to create your tax return? Having been in academia for nearly twenty years, I…Read more

Learning styles are dead. Long live learning strategies.

Nine out of ten teachers believe that students learn better when taught in their preferred learning style yet the literature suggests this “matching hypothesis” has almost no impact on achievement. Nine out of ten teachers can’t be wrong, can they? Learning theorists have research and evidence on their side, but…Read more

Navigating the relationship between professional bodies and universities

Despite shared goals, professional bodies and universities face persistent challenges. ICAEW is working to address them. In the world of accountancy education, few relationships are as important as the one between Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). PSRBs such as ICAEW set professional standards, accredit…Read more

Pop-up 2026

Join us in London on Friday 6 February 2026, for “Accounting Cafe Pop-up 2026”. Everybody is welcome. A gathering with a difference that makes a difference. We are gathering on Friday 6 February 2026 at St Matthew’s Conference Centre. This is a familiar favourite for Accounting Cafe pop-ups, hidden among the towers of political power in the heart…Read more

Human superpowers: Creative, analytical and critical thinking

Generative AI does not feel the weight of a decision, nor wrestle with the moral ambiguity that defines human experience. A version of this article was first published in Pedleysmiths Blog on 31 August 2025. Back in July 2022, I wrote about the importance of a skill long considered essential…Read more

Putting culture at the centre of accounting

This immersive one-day workshop invites university teachers to reimagine accounting as a human-centred, culture-based and life-serving practice. Discover what makes your programmes distinctive. All images copyright Toby York and Atul Shah The opportunity Most accounting departments face familiar constraints: large student cohorts, modular silos, and accreditation requirements that drive curriculums…Read more

Accounting Streams workshop 2025

This workshop raised challenging questions about our role as accounting educators—are we ready? In the heart of Canary Wharf, among the towering symbols of financial power, accounting educators gathered to consider how best to attract and develop the next generation of accountants. A broad range of conversations and presentations revealed…Read more

How authentic is authentic assessment?

Stuart Pedley-Smith explores whether authentic assessment delivers everything it promises. A version of this article was first published in Pedleysmiths Blog on 30 June 2025. There is a saying often attributed to Peter Drucker – “what gets measured gets achieved.” I think the quote is “gets done” but that always…Read more

What actually works: real stories from educators using strategic EdTech partnerships

Explore how strategic EdTech partnerships could assist you in aligning your accounting programmes to the new Subject Benchmark Statement for Accounting. …Read more

Is Generative AI making us dumber?

Dr Anwar Halari, Senior Lecturer in Accounting at The Open University. Generative AI and learning: what we might lose “ChatGPT, please summarise this article for me” AI would probably do a great job of this and no doubt it will save the reader some time – but it might miss…Read more

Making connections: Learning starts with what you already know

Stuart Pedley-Smith explores whether Ausubel’s claims about meaningful learning remain relevant today. A version of this article was first published in Pedleysmiths Blog on 30 April 2025. Have you ever stopped to think about what you already know? It’s not something we tend to do every day, but it’s a…Read more

Meaningful learning starts with making connections

Stuart Pedley-Smith provides practical techniques for anchoring information and creating advance organisers. He suggests ways to use AI tools to personalise learning experiences using Ausubel’s theory of meaningful learning. A version of this article was first published in Pedleysmiths Blog on 30 April 2025. Have you ever stopped to think…Read more

A free online course in accounting fundamentals

Accounting Cafe has partnered with Wealthvox to offer free access to “Let’s Talk Finance” – an 8-hour online course built on the delightful Colour Accounting Learning Method. …Read more

Teaching accounting — the impact of generative AI

Stuart Pedley-Smith shares insights and thoughts about teaching accounting using AI and how large language models are reshaping the way we teach finance professionals. It includes explanations and demonstrations. Resources OpenAI Academy OpenAI operates ChatGPT. Its academy provides bite-sized tutorials, in-person workshops and (shortly) learning communities built around students and…Read more

The 5 best exam techniques ever . . .

Stuart Pedley-Smith explores whether authentic assessment delivers everything it promises. A version of this article was first published in Pedleysmiths Blog on 31 December 2024. Although you might think I am using this ‘clickbait grabbing’ headline purely to attract new readers to my blog, which, admittedly, would be nice, you…Read more

Pop-up Symposium 2024

In December 2024, Accounting Cafe and Accounting Streams co-hosted a special event for accounting educators in London. Register your interest to join us at future events. Are you thinking about joining us next time? Let us keep you up to date . . . Resources Presenter slides Accounting Streams website…Read more

AI and accountancy examinations: first steps in relevant skill development

Dr Shonagh Douglas, lecturer in accounting and finance at the Robert Gordon University, outlines ways in which we can take the first steps in developing examinable AI-related skills in accountancy subjects. Accountancy education is heavily driven by examinations both in the professional and academic context. It might be easy to…Read more

Accounting courses of the future

Hugh Martin, founder of Procountancy, provides a step-by-step guide for guiding students to use AI prompts in accounting education. When you think about accounting courses, what comes to mind? For me, it’s gigantic textbooks, long-running lectures, lengthy examples, and several disparate resources like practice questions and summary notes. Even in…Read more

Teaching sustainability accounting with case studies: a reflection on opportunities, challenges and solutions

Thuy Thanh Tran is an Assistant Professor of Sustainability Accounting at TBS Education, Toulouse, France. She has incorporated sustainability into the accounting curriculum in Europe and South America for many years. Here, she reflects on teaching sustainability accounting through case studies, highlighting the opportunities, challenges, and potential solutions. Sustainability is…Read more

The purpose of learning

Stuart Pedley-Smith reflects on 30 years with Kaplan, the professional education company, and asks some fundamental questions, such as what he would share with his younger self. A version of this article was first published in Pedleysmiths Blog on 31 July 2024. I have always thought that wisdom was something…Read more

Cognitive offloading: you can’t outsource thinking

The simple answer is to combat, limit or reduce your dependency on AI and use it to supplement your learning A version of this article was first published in Pedleysmiths Blog on 31 May 2024. As we begin to better understand the capabilities of Generative AI and tools such as…Read more

The transformative power of blending creativity with accounting education

Sondos Bannouri explains how blending creativity with education has sparked a small revolution in teaching accounting concepts at Tunis Business School. Teaching innovations with creativity At Tunis Business School (TBS), I’ve implemented creative techniques to enhance student learning experiences and encourage active participation. Recognising the impact that visual aids have…Read more

A Journey from Campus to Career Insights

The ICAEW Southern Intra University Competition, sponsored by Mazars in collaboration with ICAEW, offers students from the University of Southampton, University of Portsmouth, and Bournemouth University an opportunity to challenge their business acumen. Highlighting the path for future accountants, the ICAEW Southern Intra University Competition stands as a beacon of…Read more

An animated woman standing in front of a presentation in a conference room

Accounting Streams: open-access resources for a reimagined curriculum

Accounting Streams is a new project seeking help from a broad range of contributors to create a reimagined accounting curriculum. The Accounting Streams project seeks to reimagine accounting education for contemporary society by embracing the purpose of accounting and its economic, social, moral, and technical underpinnings. It embraces questions of…Read more

Can the profession meet the demand for sustainability reporting?

A webinar hosted by IFAAC and IAAER on 7 February 2024 launching a literature review, Educating Accountants for a Sustainable Future. It highlights key themes relevant to education, learning and development, and insights into how the profession can meet sustainability reporting demands. Educating accountants to advance sustainability With the increasing demand for…Read more

Eight Things I’ve Learned from 53 Years of College Teaching

Joe Hoyle, Associate Professor and Accounting Teaching Fellow at the University of Richmond shares wisdom, perspective and advice he’s acquired over half a century in accounting education. Joe Hoyle strongly believes colleges and universities should freely share as much educational material as possible. He says, “The world desperately needs substantially more…Read more

Embedding sustainability in audit and accounting education

The old ways of thinking are no longer fit for purpose, and radical changes to financial accounting, reporting, and assurance are coming — sooner than you think. Are you ready? …Read more

Netflix promotional poster for Black Mirror: Bandersnatch

A “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” inspired activity

Dr Anwar Halari, Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Dr Daniele Tori, Lecturer in Finance, at The Open University. We explain how we applied the “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” concept to one of our online accounting modules. An interactive movie that allows you to shape the story with your choices and lets…Read more

Pop-up Symposium 2024

Accounting Cafe members met in person at St Matthew’s Conference Centre in Westminster, London, on Friday, 26 January 2024, for “Pop-up Symposium 2024”. Attending Accounting Cafe’s Pop-up Symposium gave me lots of inspiration. First, because you realize there are many ‘like you’. Second, all the ideas fellow accounting educators are…Read more

Two smiling students wearing LJMU hoodies and lanyards.

Using an Accounting Clinic to close the ‘knowing-doing gap’

Pam Dodd is a senior lecturer in accounting at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). Pam has a vision for an Accounting Clinic in every university in the country. She explains how they benefit the community while providing students with the opportunity to learn accounting by doing it. In 2007, while…Read more

Sustainability reporting and the global direction of accountancy education

Bruce Vivian, Head of Accountancy Education at IFAC, shares information on IFAC’s Sustainability Reporting Project and the perspectives of other accounting educators. IFAC is a global organisation seeking to enhance the relevance, reputation, and value of the global accountancy profession. It represents millions of professional accountants worldwide through its members…Read more

Firefighting the ChatGPT storm

Samantha Bell is a senior lecturer in accounting at the University of Bristol. Sam Bell considers the impact of AI in accounting coursework assessments. She explores how questions and rubrics can be adapted to deter improper use of Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Google Bard and BingChat. She…Read more

Myths, monsters and curses in accounting education

Myths, monsters and curses in accounting education is based on a presentation by Paul Jennings and Toby York at the BAFA Accounting Education Special Interest Group conference in Durham, England, in May 2023. The mythical monster In Greek mythology, the Minotaur was a violent, flesh-eating, half-bull and half-man. It was…Read more

Using learning science in accounting education

I recently addressed accounting educators at a conference about using learning science in accounting education. My session was immediately after lunch. Anybody with teaching or training experience knows that these postprandial slots are challenging. You’re up against the biological processes of metabolism — your audience feels sleepy and has trouble…Read more

Dual coding in accounting education

Summary: A simple way to embrace dual coding in accounting education is to use a concept map. This “almost certainly” improves learning. Don’t reinvent the wheel: there’s a free one that you can adapt, copy and distribute. Give credit to its creators. This is the BaSIS Board. It combines words…Read more

Implications of artificial intelligence for teaching accounting

Abolish or reform accountancy degrees?

This event was organised by Rethinking Accountancy, part of the Rethinking Economics network. This was their first live seminar in February 2023. Professor Joan Ballantine, University of Ulster Joan Ballantine outlined a historical context of accounting degrees, explaining that as their number has expanded, they’ve been shaped by increased competition…Read more

Diagram showing a simple transaction cycle.

Using role play to teach accounting transaction cycles

How role play in accounting education creates an effective and engaging lesson about a topic that can feel very dry. This example uses a case study to explore the processes involved in simple transaction cycles. I introduced this activity in an Accounting Information Systems (AIS) course for first-year undergraduates studying…Read more