There are many essential skills that an accountant must consider. One of which is critical thinking skills. During the past decades, critical thinking has become ever-present in educational programs at all levels of instruction. As for accountants, it is one of the factors needed to be competitive globally especially because the accounting field is becoming more complex as time passes by.

Critical thinking is defined by Cascini and Rich (2008) as a mode of thinking about any subject, content or problem in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully taking charge of the structures inherent in thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them. Another definition according to Francis Bacon (1605) about critical thinking skill is that "it is a desire to seek, patience to doubt, fondless to meditate, slowness to assert, readiness to consider, carefulness to dispose, and set in order; and hatred for every kind of imposture." This statement only means that the importance of critical thinking had existed long time ago even before the present century. Even the great philosopher Socrates developed a tradition in which probing questions were used to determine whether claims to knowledge based on authority could be rationally justified with clarity and logical consistency.

Critical thinking encompasses broad view of the ability to link data, knowledge, and insight together from various disciplines to provide information for decision-making. Being in tune with the extensive picture perspective is a fundamental component for success. Individuals entering the accounting profession should be able to communicate to clients the best possible solution regarding a given situation which will be easier if you have a broader perspective.

In the present times, the need for critical thinking has been more crucial especially for accountants. Knowing how to think-- to apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate--are primary skills for accounting professionals. When making decisions, successful accountants must be able to analyze alternative options and evaluate the benefit and costs of each. As the accounting profession continues to evolve along with the changing field of information technology, the teaching of critical thinking skills needs a direct response to the needs of accountants in their strategic roles of advisers to decision makers in organizations that are facing greater competition and becoming more global in scope.

Today’s accounting practitioners must respond to the progressive diversity and complexity of accounting practice and develop life-long learning skills that focus on their ability to think critically; i.e., to understand, apply and adapt concepts and principles in a variety of contexts and circumstances. It has been identified by colleges and universities, as well as by many employers as a measure of how well an individual will perform at school and on the job.

Critical thinking skill is vital for future accountants. With this skill, accountants will be able to respond quicker as the demands for the course continually increases. Probing options from a range of different perspectives in order to critically assess the situation is essential to business prosperity. Future accountants must develop critical thinking skills as early as possible for them to be able to adjust more easily when they encounter problems whether at school or in the workplace by the time they are already Certified Public Accountants.