Does Accounting Internship Affect Students' Knowledge, Soft Skills and Personal Quality?

This study sought to discover the impact of internships, particularly to the accounting students in terms of their knowledge, soft skills and personal quality. The data collection and analysis were based on the mixed method approach combining a qualitative and quantitative analysis. For quantitative approach, a total of 212 questionnaires were distributed to the semester seven accounting students from the selected university who have completed their internship. 177 questionnaires were completed and usable for the data analysis. The qualitative part used a purposive sampling technique in which four lecturers teaching final semester students were interviewed. Descriptive statistic and paired sample t-Test analysis were employed for the quantitative data analysis, and supported by the qualitative findings. The results revealed that students who participated in the internship program have gained broader knowledge, soft skills and personal quality. This was also supported by the overall qualitative findings. All of the lecturers in this study agreed that there is a difference in the students' knowledge, soft skills and personal quality after internship. Apart from these findings, the limitation and future research were also discussed.