Adapting to the Future: Integrating Disruptive Technologies into Accounting and Financial Management at a Business School

Accounting and financial management practices are changing due to the rapid development of disruptive technologies like blockchain (BC), big data analytics (BDA), artificial intelligence (AI), fintech technologies (FT) and robotic process automation (RPA), among others. Despite the potential that these innovations have in improving decision-making, efficiency, and transparency, there is still a gap in business education about how they can be incorporated within the accounting curriculum. Many traditional schools still concentrate on traditional accounting principles and do not sufficiently address the technological competences needed in contemporary financial contexts. The emerging disruptive technologies are taught as separate modules rather than being integrated into accounting and financial management modules. This study explores how these disruptive technologies can be incorporated into the accounting and financial management modules in higher education institutions. The study relies on qualitative data to assess the degree of technological integration in the curriculum and employs thematic analysis to identify key trends and concerns. The study highlights the importance of integrating technological advancements in teaching methods to equip future professionals with the digital and analytical skills they need. It further demonstrates the transformative potential of integrating disruptive technologies such as BC, BDA, AI, FT and RPA into the accounting and financial management curriculum of higher education institutions, specifically through the lens of the executive master of accounting. The proposed curriculum that integrates disruptive technologies in accounting and financial management was developed.