Navigating the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Bridging Employer Expectations and Accounting Graduates' Skills in Bangladesh

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has changed the corporate environment worldwide and called for a workforce with sophisticated soft skills and advanced technical ability. With an eye toward the skills gap in the framework of fast digital transformation, this study investigates how closely employer expectations match the competencies of accounting graduates in Bangladesh. Data were gathered from 84 companies throughout accounting, audit, and taxation companies as well as 159 accounting graduates. The study ranks five technical skills—financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, auditing, and information systems—and seven soft skills—communication, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, ethics, leadership, lifelong learning, and teamwork. Findings reveal a significant perception gap in entrepreneurship and teamwork skills, with employers prioritizing resilience and collaborative problem-solving, while graduates emphasize self-awareness and interpersonal respect. Technical skills show greater alignment, though employers expect higher proficiency and adaptability in practical applications. The study highlights the need for curriculum reforms in Bangladeshi universities to address these gaps, emphasizing industry-relevant training and the integration of emerging technologies. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and industry stakeholders to improve workforce readiness and bridge the skills gap in developing economies.