UGBS Department of Accounting Launches New Software Curriculum

UGBS Department of Accounting Launches New Software Curriculum

The Accounting Department of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has introduced a new curriculum featuring five accounting software programmes. The launch event was held at the R.S Amegashie Auditorium on 21st May 2024. The newly introduced accounting software are Spreadsheet Accounting, Tally, SAP, Sage, and QuickBooks. UGBS has partnered with these software organisations to provide access to students.

In his opening remarks, the Dean of UGBS, Prof. Justice N. Bawole highlighted the importance of the new curriculum in preparing students for the evolving demands of digitalisation in the accounting profession and reducing the need for additional training by companies.

Prof. Bawole noted that many companies have shifted from traditional accounting practices to the newly launched software and emphasised the school's commitment to supporting the University of Ghana’s ‘1 student 1 laptop’ initiative by the Vice Chancellor.

Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong, CEO of Special Ice Company LTD and chairman of the event, praised the initiative, underscoring its potential to give UGBS students a competitive edge. He donated 20 laptop computers and pledged an additional 10. “As someone who has dedicated decades to the relentless search for innovation, resilience, and excellence in this digital age, a businessman and an accountant, I am in support of any initiative that will advance the national interest and change how finances are managed in different sectors.” He noted. Dr. Sarpong encouraged accounting firms to support the training programme, stressing its benefits to the accounting sector and urging students to take their training seriously.

Ms. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, Registrar for the University of Ghana, and the representative for the Vice Chancellor of UG for the event congratulated the Accounting Department noting that the world is now driven by data, automation, and digitalisation and that “UGBS has taken the lead in this regard”. She expressed confidence that the new software would enhance students' training and future performance in the workforce.

Prof. William Coffie, head of the Department of Accounting, provided a brief overview of the software introduction, noting that it includes two other programmes; Payroll Accounting and Banking Software which are available for other departments. He commended the planning team led by Dr. Teddy Ossei Kwakye and Dr. Rita Amoah Bekoe for their efforts. According to him, it’s been over 2 years of developing the curriculum to make students employable and employers, more comfortable.

In his keynote address, Mr. Kwamena Situ, Assurance Partner & FSI Deputy Leader at Deloitte Ghana, emphasised the necessity of digital accounting skills for modern accountants. He advised students to master the software to remain relevant in the 21st-century workplace. “If you want to survive in this 21st century, make sure that you can apply all these digital accounting software we are talking about” he concluded. 

Dr. Boadu Ayeboafo, a part-time lecturer at the Department of Finance demonstrated how these software works and how they can be utilised. He added that the introduction of the accounting software aims to “bring the world of work into the classroom to give students a fair idea of what to expect in the work field”. 

The launch of the accounting software was sponsored by the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), the Chartered Institute of Taxation Ghana, itel, KPMG, Special ICE, Republic Bank, the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and SIC- FSL.