Accounting and Tax Support Center (NAF) as an Extension Project: A Study on the Skills and Competencies Acquired from Students' Perception

Abstract

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are increasingly concerned with the education of their students, seeking to implement an educational tripod comprising study, research, and extension activities to foster both academic and professional development. In this context, extension projects have gained importance in achieving this objective. The Accounting and Tax Support Center (NAF) can play a significant role in this effort by fostering skills among student participants in the project. This study aimed to identify the skills and competencies that can be acquired through the NAF extension project, based on the perceptions of students from a university in São Paulo. A descriptive study with a quantitative approach was conducted, and data collection was carried out using a form with closed and open-ended questions. The study analyzed 67 forms collected over five semesters, from the first semester of 2021 to the first semester of 2023, filled out by students participating in the NAF. The data revealed that students from the first to the eighth semester participate in the project, with no barriers to beginning their professional development. Respondents' answers indicated that the most developed skills were analyzing and solving problems, communicating effectively both orally and in writing, learning self-development, achieving objectives, and adapting to change. These skills were cultivated as students were exposed to a variety of situations, including differences in activities and interpersonal interactions, as well as the use of technological resources to perform tasks. Personal traits such as overcoming shyness and stuttering were also reported as improvements by the respondents. Therefore, this research concludes that such activities through the extension project promote citizenship and enable development across various perspectives, prioritizing professional, academic, and personal quality. According to the students themselves, the project helps to create a sense of identity.

Keywords: Accounting and Tax Support Center (NAF); Social Responsibility; Extension Project.