Abstract

Accounting is the first discipline seeking to collaboratively develop and implement a national model of expert peer review for benchmarking learning outcomes against nationally-agreed thresholds. This project is a critical next stage, building on the Learning and Teaching Academic Standards project (2010) and the pilot benchmarking project funded by the Australian Business Deans Council and accounting professional bodies, which is currently being undertaken by this research team. The proposed project will not only expand the latter to all other accounting degree providers, including private and TAFE providers, but importantly refine a model peer review process, that is inclusive, efficient, and supports rich, reliable, valid information that promotes capacity building, guides enhancement decisions and self-regulation. Benchmark evidence will be used for quality assurance (eg.TEQSA), and, importantly, for quality enhancement initiatives (eg. curriculum renewal). As other business disciplines set national standards, the model process developed in this project will be ideal for adoption. Professional learning is a third outcome.