CAREER PROSPECTS OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE HOLDERS IN ACCOUNTING AND TAXATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUTSOURCING, CONSULTING, AND IFRS

Abstract

The modern labor market in Ukraine is shaped by the digitalization of the economy, the transformation of business processes, and the growing role of outsourcing and consulting services, which leads to increased requirements for the professional training of specialists in the field of accounting and taxation. Of particular relevance is the issue of career development for bachelor’s degree graduates of the educational and professional program “Accounting and Taxation,” who must be competitive, mobile, and capable of adapting to changes in both the external and internal environment. The purpose of the article is to analyze the career development prospects for bachelor’s degree graduates of the educational and professional program “Accounting and Taxation” in the modern labor market under the conditions of outsourcing and consulting development, as well as to substantiate the compliance of the educational program with employers’ requirements. The paper examines current trends in the development of the labor market in the field of accounting and taxation, analyzes the demand for accounting professionals at the regional level, particularly in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, and identifies the main areas of professional realization of graduates. The role of hard skills and soft skills in the formation of professional competence of future accountants and tax specialists is investigated, as well as the importance of digital technologies, specialized software, and certification courses in enhancing their competitiveness. It is substantiated that the educational and professional program “Accounting and Taxation” of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University is focused on training specialists capable of providing accounting, analytical, and consulting support for small and medium-sized enterprises. The study concludes that graduates of the program have favorable career prospects in the modern labor market. The practical significance of the obtained results lies in the possibility of their application in improving educational programs in accounting and taxation, taking into account regional labor market needs. The research materials may be useful for higher education institutions, employers, and students in shaping individual professional development trajectories.