Implications of US Securities and Exchange Commission Rule #33-7380 in the improvement of accounting students’ writing skills

In response to many authoritative and honorary bodies, the accounting profession has recognized the importance of accounting curricula emphasizing written and oral communications skills. Accounting practitioners expect accounting students to master communications skills as accounting curricula become more responsive to changes in the accounting environment. Discusses key provisions of the US Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) recent Rule #33-7380 that requires registrants to use “plain English” to prepare a prospectus's cover page, summary and risk factor sections in filing with the SEC. The rule specifies six principles of clear writing and provides a handbook for use in preparing prospectuses. Accounting professors should consider adopting the suggestions of this SEC rule as a basis for improving their students’ writing skills.