DECA’s Accounting Applications:  About the test

The new “accounting applications” competitive event is generating lots of discussion.  Here’s what we know:  The underlying concept for the competitive event, as originally conceived and as reflected by the competency list provided by MarkED, is not specific to accounting, per se.  Rather, it is designed to represent the nature of accounting knowledge and skills needed by a business manager/entrepreneur to a) maintain records and data that the accountant (whether internal or external) will need, b) make strategic decisions relative to minimizing taxes and comparable decisions based on financial data and decisions, c) converse with the accountant, and d) interpret financial data provided by the accountant.  In other words, the competitive event as conceptualized for the written exam is based not on accounting, but on interaction with the person responsible for the business’s accounting function.  Other considerations:

• There is a competency list posted on the MarkED web site (DECA/Delta Resources page) that is being used this year (only) to define the exam.  Since this is the first year for the event, and given the very limited time to develop the list, we do expect significant changes next year, based on our occupational research and further clarifications by DECA.
• As with all exams we publish for DECA, a significant number of the questions are general in nature.  As students move from district to state, to national events, the degree of specificity (and the level of difficulty) increases. 
• The rationale for adding this “accounting” event is based primarily on feedback from the many industry-based focus groups we’ve conducted over the past several years – along with feedback from individuals judging the competitive events at DECA conferences.  Essentially they are saying to us that our students present well, but do not understand the financial side of the business.  Virtually all focus group participants have encouraged us to strengthen this aspect of our curriculum work.
• There is additional information on our web site re the tests and competency lists developed for DECA. More will be posted as we continue to transition to the new Business Administration model (for marketing, finance, travel/tourism, and operations/support). 

 

Your comments and suggestions are welcome.  You may e-mail Jim Gleason directly:  Gleason@Mark-ED.org, subject line:  DECA Accounting Applications.  Please be sure to include your name and contact information so that we can follow up as appropriate.