Accounting Education in Greece during the Global Financial Crisis (2000- 2016)

The structure of accounting education in Greece, and in the world, is facing nowadays many significant challenges since the global financial crisis has left behind many critical educational burdens. At the same time, there is an increase in accounting omissions and malpractices of ethics both in the public and in private sector of Greece. These undoubtedly contributed to massive unemployment, high poverty rate, crime and other social ills experienced in the country. This motivated the study on restructuring accounting education by devising a new educational framework that can be applied to Greek universities and colleges with the purpose of preparing finest and ethical professionals. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaires administered to accounting professors and accounting professionals in Greece. The study revealed that accountancy program of Greek universities as currently structured is outdated and inappropriate in terms of helping graduates acquire the skills and competencies needed in the real world. In addition, both professors and professionals recognized many ethical lessons learnt from the global financial crisis. The survey’s results suggest a new educational framework along with a reorientation of accounting education, both in regards to students’ deliveries and learning approaches.