JMGT_V10_N1_RP1 Enhancing Accounting Students' Core Competencies through Service Learning David Hossain J. Gregory Kunkel Asad Yavari Journal on Management 2230 – 715X 10 1 9 14 AICPA Core Competencies, Service Learning, VITA This paper examines whether service learning enhances accounting students' core competencies. A sample of 223 accounting seniors completed a questionnaire, designed to test their problem solving/decision making skills, one of the personal core competencies as defined by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants). The results show that accounting seniors who served as VITA (Voluntary Income Tax Assistance) student-volunteers significantly outperformed other accounting seniors who were not VITA volunteers. The results indicate that service learning creates an environment that is conducive to learning. The results have implications for accounting and business programs as they attempt to integrate service learning into the curriculum. June - August 2015 Copyright © 2015 i-manager publications. All rights reserved. i-manager Publications http://www.imanagerpublications.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=3507