PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION FOR ACCOUNTING PRACTICE: THE CASE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

In the Czech Republic there are no formal requirements for completion of certified training as it is in the case of audit or tax professions and there is no specific requirementfor the accounting profession in order to hold a senior accounting position. These requirements are, however, standard in other countries. In this study, we focus on the overview and analysis of various forms and institutional arrangements offering accounting education and training for the performance of accounting practice. We analyze secondary and tertiary levels of education focusing on institutions that prepare students for performance of accounting and also on a system of professional education organized by the Association of Accountants and other educational institutions offering more or less extensive accounting courses. We find that, contrary to our initial expectations, general subjects are not neglected at Czech universities. Students spend more time learning general subjects in their bachelor studies and subsequently they concentrate on more specialist subjects in their master's studies. Education for the accounting profession can be achieved on several levels, and some of them are not be directly compatible with requirements of accounting practice.