Identification of Generic and Specific Competencies in Graduate Profiles of Peruvian Universities: A Qualitative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24215/26185474e041Keywords:
generic competencies, specific competencies, graduate profile, accounting, Higher EducationAbstract
The article examines the integration of both generic and specific competencies into the graduate profile of accounting programs at Peruvian universities accredited by the National Superintendence of Higher University Education (SUNEDU). The study employed a qualitative, descriptive design and reviewed graduate profiles from institutional websites of 62 licensed public and private universities. Content analysis revealed that most institutions incorporate a moderate level of generic competencies and a high level of specific competencies. Among the generic competencies identified were ethics, problem-solving, social responsibility, and research; while the most frequent specific competencies included accounting, taxation, auditing, and finance. These findings suggest the need for universities to reform their curricula and better align academic programs with labor market demands, particularly in areas such as instructional methods, case-based learning, collaborative projects, technological integration, and the strengthening of cross-cutting skills. This research is relevant for business and academic stakeholders as it highlights strategic gaps between current graduate capabilities and employer expectations. It concludes that, while generic competencies are moderately integrated despite being highly valued by employers, specific competencies are strongly represented in most graduate profiles. However, the absence of a standardized national competency framework for accounting programs poses a challenge for ensuring consistency and relevance across institutions.
References
Al Mallak, M., Tan, L. y Laswad, F. (2020). Generic skills in accounting education in Saudi Arabia: students’ perceptions. Asian Review of Accounting, 28(3), 395–421. https://doi.org/10.1108/ara-02-2019-0044
Aguerrondo, I. (2009). Conocimiento complejo y competencias educativas. Oficina Internacional de Educación, UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000182526
Beneitone, P., Esquetini, C., González, J., Maletá, M. M., Siufi, G. y Wagenaar, R. (2007). Reflexiones y perspectivas de la educación superior en América Latina: Informe final del Proyecto Tuning América Latina 2004–2007. Universidad de Deusto.
Berková, K., Kubišová, A. y Kolářová, D. (2021). Differences of opinion among students of Czech Higher Education Institutions on the competences of accountants required by the labour market. Universal Journal of Accounting and Finance, 9(5), 1009-1018. http://dx.doi.org/10.13189/ujaf.2021.090511
Berry, R. y Routon, W. (2020). Soft skill change perceptions of accounting majors: Current practitioner views versus their own reality. Journal of Accounting Education, 53, 100691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccedu.2020.100691
Blasco, M., Costa, A. y Labrador, M. (2023). Competencias relevantes en contabilidad. La perspectiva de estudiantes y empleadores. Revista de Contabilidad, 26(1), 150–163. https://doi.org/10.6018/rcsar.416001
Castrillon, J., Cabeza, L. y Lombana, J. (2015). Competencias más importantes para la disciplina administrativa en Colombia. Revista Contaduría y Administración, 60(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cya.2015.07.009
Chaffer, C. y Webb, J. (2017). An evaluation of competency development in accounting trainees. Accounting Education, 26(5–6), 431–458. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2017.1286602
Crebert, G., Bates, M., Bell, B., Patrick, C.-J. y Cragnolini, V. (2004). Developing generic skills at university, during work placement and in employment: graduates’ perceptions. Higher Education Research & Development, 23(2), 147–165. https://doi.org/10.1080/0729436042000206636
De Dios Alija, T., Aguado García, D. y Martín Sanz, N. (2024). Exploring the role of generic competencies in employability and academic performance of students of psychology. Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability, 15(1), 21–37. https://doi.org/10.21153/jtlge2024vol15no1art1764
Diaz-Becerra, O. (2024). Adopción de pronunciamientos internacionales en la formación de contadores en universidades peruanas. Quipukamayoc, 32(67), 9-23. https://doi.org/10.15381/quipu.v32i67.27080
Fernández, A. (2006). Metodologías activas para la formación de competencias. Educatio Siglo XXI, 24, 35-56.
Galdeano, C. y Valiente, A. (2010). Competencias profesionales. Educación Química, 21(1), 28-32.
González, M., Marchant, M., Ruíz, V. y Navarro, G. (2017). Desarrollo de la dimensión afectiva de las competencias genéricas por medio del uso de la reflexión. Educación, 26(51), 35-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.18800/educacion.201702.002
Gyekye, K. y Amo, O. (2024). Quality of accounting graduates and employers’ expectations in Ghana. Journal of International Education in Business, 17(3), 395–415. https://doi.org/10.1108/jieb-07-2023-0044
Herbert, I., Rothwell, A., Glover, J. y Lambert, S. (2020). Does the changing world of professional work need a new approach to accounting education? Accounting Education, 30(2), 188–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2020.1827446
Kwarteng, J. y Mensah, E. (2022). Employability of accounting graduates: analysis of skills sets. Heliyon, 8(7), e09937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09937
Leiber, T. (2019). A general theory of learning and teaching and a related comprehensive set of performance indicators for higher education institutions. Quality in Higher Education, 25(1), 76–97. https://doi.org/10.1080/13538322.2019.1594030
Lira, T., Gomes, F. y Musial, N. (2021). Habilidades e competências profissionais exigidas dos contadores: quais os requisitos dos anúncios de emprego? Revista Catarinense Da Ciência Contábil, 20, e3227.https://doi.org/10.16930/2237-7662202132272
McCrary, S. (2022). Accounting curricula: Soft skills at the expense of technical competency or a happy merger of the two? Journal of Education for Business, 97(3), 204-212. https://doi.org/10.1080/08832323.2021.1910115
Montagud, D. y Gandía, J. (2015). Adquisición de competencias, actividades formativas y resultados del aprendizaje: evidencia empírica en el Grado en Finanzas y Contabilidad. Estudios Sobre Educación, 28, 79-116 https://doi.org/10.15581/004.28.79-116
Pramila-Savukoski, S., Jarva, E., Kuivila, H.-M., Juntunen, J., Koskenranta, M., Kääriäinen, M. y Mikkonen, K. (2023). Generic competence among health sciences students in higher education – A cross-sectional study. Nurse Education Today, 133, 106036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2023.106036
Roca, J., Pérez, J., Colmenero, M., Muñoz, H., Alarcón, L. y Vásquez, G. (2007). Competencias profesionales para la atención al paciente crítico. Más allá de las especialidades. Medicina Intensiva, 31(9), 473-484. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0210-5691(07)74854-4
Sá, M. J. y Serpa, S. (2018). Transversal competences: Their importance and learning processes by higher education students. Education Sciences, 8(3), 126. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci8030126
Sawan, N., Al-Hajaya, K., Alshhadat, M. y Salem, R. (2024). Accountancy students’ perceptions of the quality of teaching and learning experiences in two UK business schools: implications for generic skills development. Journal of International Education in Business, 17(2), 246–264. https://doi.org/10.1108/jieb-08-2023-0057
Silva, J. y Maturana, D. (2017). Una propuesta de modelo para introducir metodologías activas en educación superior. Innovación Educativa, 17(73), 117-131.
Smith, B., Maguire, W. y Han, H. (2018). Generic skills in accounting: perspectives of Chinese postgraduate students. Accounting and Finance, 58(2), 535–559. https://doi.org/10.1111/acfi.12219
Tan, L. y Fawzi, L. (2017). Withdrawn: Employability skills required of accountants. SHS Web of Conferences, 34, 06001. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20173406001
Tobón, S. (2006). Competencias, calidad y educación superior. Ecoe Ediciones.
Torres Garay, A. (2023). Formation of the public accounting student in the international accounting teaching process. Human Review, 16(4), 2-13. https://doi.org/10.37819/revhuman.v16i4.1501
Villaroel, V. y Bruna, D. (2014). Reflexiones en torno a las competencias genéricas en educación superior: un desafío pendiente. Psicoperspectivas, 13(1), 23-34.http://dx.doi.org/10.5027/psicoperspectivas-Vol13-Issue1-fulltext-335
Downloads
Additional Files
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Oscar Alfredo Díaz Becerra, Pedro Jesús Cuyate Reque, Flor de María Beltrán Portilla, Rosita Catherine Campos Diaz

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
El material publicado en la revista se distribuye bajo una licencia de Creative Commons de Atribución-NoComercial-SinDerivadas 4.0 Internacional (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). Esta licencia obliga a otros a dar crédito de manera adecuada, brindar un enlace a la licencia, e indicar si se han realizado cambios; no permite hacer uso comercial de la obra; y si se remezclara, transformara o creara otro material a partir de la obra, no podrá ser distribuida esa modificación.



















