UGBS Accounting Department Deepens Ties with Deloitte Ghana
The Department of Accounting at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has taken a major step in strengthening its industry partnerships with a strategic visit to Deloitte Ghana, one of the country’s leading professional services firms. The engagement reflects the Department’s renewed commitment to aligning classroom learning with the realities of the modern accounting profession and forms part of a broader initiative to engage key industry partners to gain a clearer understanding of the performance of UGBS students in the corporate world. The meeting, held at the Deloitte Ghana Office, brought together senior faculty members and top executives of the firm to discuss opportunities for collaboration to improve student preparation and strengthen ties between academia and industry.
Led by the Head of Department, Prof. Godfred M. Y. Owusu, the delegation met with Deloitte’s leadership team to explore new avenues for collaboration. Prof. Owusu emphasised that close industry engagement is essential for shaping academic programmes that genuinely prepare students for the workplace. “Understanding how our students perform in real practice helps us design learning experiences that prepare them for the realities of the profession,” he noted.
The discussions centred on initiatives aimed at enriching student training and expanding experiential learning. Key proposals included establishing a Practical Accounting Laboratory, creating opportunities for Deloitte practitioners to teach part-time, developing structured internship pathways, organising practitioner-led seminars, and collaborating on research projects. These efforts reflect the Department’s broader vision to ensure that graduates leave UGBS with both strong technical foundations and practical confidence. The proposals also include opportunities for Deloitte practitioners, such as practitioner forums, joint research initiatives, and the option to serve as part-time lecturers, which align with the Department’s commitment to deepening experiential learning.
Deloitte’s team, led by Country Managing Partner Mr. Daniel Owusu, welcomed the proposals and offered candid insights into the performance of UGBS students in the field. While acknowledging the strong potential of student interns, the firm underscored the increasing importance of agility, broad thinking, clear communication, and the willingness to learn quickly in today’s fast-paced professional environment. Deloitte encouraged students to read widely and engage with issues beyond their core accounting courses to build deeper professional resilience and a well-rounded professional outlook.
The firm also discussed the structure of its internship programme, typically held during peak work seasons and lasting up to two months, and expressed interest in formalising a more structured placement agreement once a detailed proposal is received from the Department. Although the number of internship slots is limited, the firm expressed willingness to work with the Department to expand opportunities over time. Deloitte also echoed a concern shared across the industry: the growing number of graduates competing for limited roles and the urgent need for universities and employers to expand pathways for young professionals through more intentional collaboration.
The meeting concluded on a forward-looking note, with both institutions expressing enthusiasm for building a strong, mutually beneficial partnership and committing to develop a clear framework for collaboration. UGBS acknowledged Deloitte’s openness and hospitality, while Deloitte commended the Department for its proactive approach to industry engagement. Both institutions expressed optimism that the partnership will contribute significantly to enhancing student development and reinforcing the link between academic training and the accounting profession.
If fully realised, this collaboration promises to enhance student development, deepen experiential learning, and strengthen the connection between academic training and professional practice, ultimately preparing UGBS graduates to thrive in an increasingly dynamic accounting landscape.