Critical thinking in today’s accounting education. A reflection note following the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants Consultation Paper ‘Professional Skepticism – Meeting Public Expectations’

In May 2018, the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) issued a consultation paper entitled ‘Professional Skepticism – Meeting Public Expectations’. Its aim is ‘to seek input on the IESBA’s consideration on the longer-term professional skepticism issue’ (IESBA, 2018a, p. 4). This note answers this call and, acknowledging the concerns expressed by other bodies (e.g., the European Union and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business: AACSB), aims to reflect on how accounting education develops critical thinking with a specific focus on aspiring professionals educated through universities. The note addresses how professional skepticism is a hot topic for the accounting profession and outlines the background of cultural and institutional characteristics that may compromise the development of critical thinking among college students. According to AACSB, the main problem that employers observe among recent graduates is the lack of critical thinking, thus teaching this skill is indeed a global challenge.