The spotlight is on Dr. Dusica Stevchevska-Srbinoska and Teodora Kochovska, University American College Skopje, and Marijana Andrikj, Marand Consultants, North Macedonia.

The Republic of North Macedonia is a land-locked country in the heart of the Balkans, with 1.8 million inhabitants. Recently it has emerged as an ideal outsourcing destination, with a young workforce skilled in languages and technology. Skopje is the capital city and the economic and academic center of the country.

The University American College Skopje (UACS), founded in 2005, is an independent university that considers itself a third generation university, or a university independent of governmental support, mainly teaching in English.

UACS has international accreditations such as ACBSP, ACCA and double degrees with the University Tor Vergata of Rome and Rennes School of Business and Università Cattolica in Milan. It strongly supports participant-centered learning; learning through practice; internships; and lectures by visiting industry experts. The aim is to investigate entrepreneurial mindset and innovation, with interdisciplinary teams of students working on and delivering well-integrated projects within schools, and also through the joint effort of its Institute for Entrepreneurship and Leadership Development. Students regularly engage in generating ideas and business plans for innovative solutions to societal problems as part of its start-up week. The University also has a career center focused on helping students make a smooth transition to the workplace by equipping them with the necessary skills and making connections between the Business Council and students. UACS’ Business Council incorporates more than 170 companies, organizations, NGOs, and governmental bodies with a mission to create a link between the academia and the economic ecosystem where the university is embedded within the local economy, where students are encouraged to innovate and are supported by relevant organizations and institutions, and where research is linked to relevant societal issues and offers applicable solutions.

Dusica Stevchevska-Srbinoska is the Vice-Dean for Education at the School of Business Economics and Management (SBEM) and an Associate Professor at UACS. Her primary research focus is on the domain of sustainability reporting, financial analysis, cost accounting, and corporate finance, with teaching topics encompassing the subjects of financial and managerial accounting, financial reporting and statement analysis, and corporate finance. She has international experience as visiting professor at Universite d’Angers, France, and as a supervisory board member in the financial services industry. Prior to joining academia, she worked in auditing and corporate accounting in the private sector.

Teodora Kochovska is a Teaching Assistant in accounting and mathematics in the Department of Audit and Accounting at UACS, from which she graduated last year. She is studying for an MBA and works in an audit company as a junior associate.

Marijana Andrikj is the CEO of Marand Consultants. She has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Business Law.

Oracle Academy: Can you please tell us about the interaction between UACS and Marand Consultants in regard to Oracle NetSuite ERP?

Dusica Stevchevska-Srbinoska: In late 2024, students who enrolled in the Financial Accounting course at SBEM had the opportunity to explore Oracle NetSuite Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for accounting through a collaboration with Marand Consultants. Marand is an Oracle NetSuite partner and one of the leading tax refund consultancies in the country specializing in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Traditionally, the Audit and Accounting Bachelor program at UACS relied on textbooks and Excel, without exposure to ERP systems. When we learned that through UACS’ Oracle Academy membership we could have access to the Oracle NetSuite platform and educational material, and also have the support of Marand, who had previous experience working with Oracle Academy members in our region, we saw an excellent opportunity to enhance our curriculum and provide valuable practical experience to our Financial Accounting students.

Marand offered our students the opportunity of an intensive two-week training session on using Oracle NetSuite for accounting. During this period, our Financial Accounting students worked in teams, applying the accounting cycle to both service and merchandising entities. The hands-on approach not only enriched their learning but also gave them practical insights into modern accounting practices using a leading ERP system.

Oracle Academy: And what was Marand Consultant’s motivation in hosting UACS students for NetSuite training?

Marijana Andrikj: My company adopted NetSuite many years ago as the prime ERP tool for SMEs. As a certified Oracle NetSuite partner, we sell NetSuite licenses and also implement and integrate the platform. It is in our interest to have the team well educated and trained in the product. By partnering with UACS, we expand the future talent pool and also, the potential client base of companies using NetSuite.

With businesses increasingly relying on digital tools for financial operations, it makes sense to work in collaboration with universities whose students are versed in ERP skills.

Oracle Academy: How did you become a proponent of NetSuite?

Marijana Andrikj: I knew NetSuite during my studies and later taught accounting and financial management at UACS for a couple of years. Two years ago, Marand joined the Oracle Partner Network as a solution provider for Oracle NetSuite in the Adriatic region.

Oracle Academy invited us to present at academic events in the region and that led us to consider how to work with universities to develop this in terms of talent. The great advantage in our collaboration with universities that are Oracle Academy members is that the students have free access to Oracle NetSuite.

Oracle Academy: As a result of the Marand experience, will SBEM now adopt Oracle NetSuite into their curriculum?

Dusica Stevchevska-Srbinoska and Teodora Kochovska: Absolutely. Building on the success of our collaboration with Marand, we intend to integrate Oracle NetSuite into our curriculum, specifically through the launch of a new Accounting Information Systems (AIS) course. This course, which has not been offered previously, will provide significant benefits to students pursuing careers in both audit and accounting as well as finance and investment.

Our vision for the AIS course goes beyond traditional accounting education. We want students to think critically about how different components of an ERP system connect with accounting processes and, ultimately, influence an organization's bottom line.

The resources available through Oracle Academy, including Oracle NetSuite curriculum and complimentary software accounts, are invaluable in going beyond learning accounting mechanics and understanding the broader business implications of ERP systems. The AIS course will introduce students to key transaction cycles, delving into practical scenarios — such as managing incoming customer orders, processing shipments, invoicing, and analyzing accounts receivable to identify overdue payments. We will then transition to critical questions like identifying needed goods and services, evaluating potential suppliers, and understanding vendor preferences and selection criteria.

We will also focus on the intricacies of transaction cycles, from data input and processing to advanced reporting and data analytics. The course will culminate in producing financial statements and drawing actionable insights from data, equipping students with the analytical skills that modern employers highly value.

Beyond the academic benefits, the partnership with Marand offers invaluable real-world exposure. Oracle Academy’s resources are grounded in real-life scenarios, bridging the gap between education and industry and enhancing our graduates' career prospects. In essence, the introduction of NetSuite through the AIS course is a strategic move to elevate our curriculum and provide our students with a competitive edge in the job market.

Oracle Academy: What is the profile of your students?

Teodora Kochovska: Our students primarily come from the Business Management program, typically aged between 18 and 22. The vast majority are aspiring to build careers in accounting and related fields.

For the Marand training on Oracle NetSuite, we focused on engaging our more advanced students, including those in their second and third years of study. The blend of undergraduate students from multiple finance and economics concentrations brought a diverse range of perspectives, enriching the learning environment.

Dusica Stevchevska-Srbinoska: These students are highly motivated and academically driven, with a strong foundation in accounting principles and a growing interest in how technology, such as ERP systems, can enhance accounting processes. Many of them are already contemplating specialized career paths in audit, financial analysis, and consulting, and they recognize the competitive advantage of gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like NetSuite.

Our ultimate goal is to prepare students not only with strong theoretical knowledge but also with practical skills that meet the expectations of today’s dynamic business environment.

Oracle Academy: And what was the feedback from your students?

Dusica Stevchevska-Srbinoska: The feedback from our students has been overwhelmingly positive. Transitioning from solely using Excel to exploring a leading ERP system like Oracle NetSuite was a game-changer for them. They not only gained beginner skills but also developed a deeper, more practical understanding of how businesses operate. The experience provided an ideal blend of theoretical knowledge with real-world application — something that traditional classroom learning alone cannot fully achieve.

With NetSuite, students learned a wide range of practical skills, from setting up user profiles and managing bills and invoices to creating inventory items and navigating complex financial processes. Divided into groups, they tackled realistic business scenarios, simulating challenges they might face in actual professional settings. This hands-on approach not only built their confidence but also fostered critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Teodora Kochovska: Many students remarked that this experience made them feel more prepared for the job market, particularly for roles that require proficiency with ERP systems. I am confident that the skills they developed — especially in understanding digital financial processes — will open many doors for them in the future, whether in accounting, finance, consulting, or beyond.

From an instructor’s perspective, this collaboration was equally enriching. Learning NetSuite alongside our students allowed us to observe their progress closely and engage in a shared journey of discovery. It enabled us to refine our teaching methods and approach, ensuring that our curriculum remains aligned with industry needs and emerging trends.

Overall, this experience has reinforced the importance of integrating modern technology into our accounting courses, preparing our students not only to meet but to exceed the expectations of today’s digital economy.

Oracle Academy: How do you see the market in North Macedonia for those with NetSuite skills?

Marijana Andrikj: I would say that NetSuite is a rising star in the region — which is why it’s so important to have university students well skilled in the system. There are lots of opportunities to place students in international companies. For example, North Macedonia is a big destination for outsourcing, with firms such as The Task Force employing 2,500 in many functions, including accounting. In fact, we receive frequent inquiries from accounting companies asking for NetSuite talent. I tell university students that with NetSuite experience visible on CVs and LinkedIn, they will have a passport for great careers.

Oracle Academy: Terrific. And finally, what are your respective interests outside of teaching and work?

Dusica Stevchevska-Srbinoska: Outside of work, I enjoy a range of activities that bring balance and fulfillment to my life. I love travelling, gaining fresh perspectives. Reading is another passion of mine — there’s nothing like diving into a good book to unwind or spark new ideas. I also enjoy studying languages, as it opens doors to deeper connections with people and places.

Family time is incredibly important to me. An exciting new chapter for our family is my older daughter preparing to embark on her university journey. It’s a proud and joyous time, and I’m looking forward to supporting her as she takes this big step forward. Life is certainly busy, but I try to embrace every moment, finding joy in both the everyday and the extraordinary.

Teodora Kochovska: I like to travel and did so as part of the Erasmus program, which led me to live in Valencia, Spain, for six months. In addition, I like watching videos and going out with my friends and family.

Thank you, Dusica Stevchevska-Srbinoska, Teodora Kochovska, and Marijana Andrikj, for your passion for Oracle Academy and for preparing your students to make a positive impact.