Bridging the skills gap: how barriers and skill priorities shape accounting graduates' employability in Saudi Arabia

Purpose This study explores the soft skills mismatch among graduates of accounting programs and employer demands in Saudi Arabia, offering insights for the broader Arab context. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a questionnaire survey using a Likert scale format. The authors collect the data from 125 employers and 114 graduates to assess the skills gap, identify critical soft skills, and uncover acquisition barriers through the lens of Human Capital, Signaling and Social Cognitive theories theoretical framework Then, the data were analyzed using SPSS software. Findings Findings reveal a significant gap between the skills emphasized in accounting and those required by employers. Problem-solving, technical software proficiency, and communication emerged as critical soft skills. Key barriers include poor self-motivation, limited access to accounting tools, and high costs. Statistical analyses confirm alignment between employer and accounting graduates' perceptions. Practical implications This study offers practical recommendations for comprehensive reforms in accounting, including curriculum redesign and enhanced academia-industry collaboration, with implications for policymakers, educators and employers in evolving labor markets. Originality/value This study builds on the empirical evidence on soft skills development and contributes to the literature by minimizing the disconnect between the skills emphasized in accounting and those demanded by employers focusing on the context of the Saudi Arabian context.