Chapter 2: Diffusing integrated reporting into South African university Accounting curricula: A human capital approach

Integrated reporting (IR) has emerged as the standard corporate reporting system in recent years. However, there is a gap in the existing accounting curriculum in South Africa that needs to be bridged to address the human capital needs of IR knowledge, competencies and skill sets. This chapter analyses the extent to which IR is integrated into the existing Accounting curriculum of universities in South Africa. It recognises the role that human capital formation plays in the development of highly skilled accounting professionals who can enhance contemporary corporate reporting practices across various sectors of the economy. The theoretical robustness of human capital theory was employed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the human capital gap between what accounting programmes offer and what accounting practices in the corporate world require in terms of IR. The research methodology involved qualitative document analysis through external online desktop research. The author examined the Accounting curriculum of all 26 public universities in South Africa for the 2022 academic year. The findings reveal that only two public universities in South Africa offer a full-fledged academic programme in IR. However, other universities have included IR as either a short course or an additional elective stand-alone module. The findings further reveal that the Accounting curriculum in South Africa has incorporated some components of IR, such as governance, risk and strategic management. This study offers implications for Accounting education in South Africa to enhance their current Accounting curriculum. The aim is to address the specific human capital needs related to IR knowledge, competencies and skill sets that are essential in modern accounting practice. This approach will not only raise graduates’ awareness of IR but also equip them early with the human capital required for their future roles as integrated report preparers or advisors. This study also offers opportunities and a framework for prospective scholars and researchers to conduct future research.