Academic and professional accountancy bodies in many countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the USA, have recognized the importance of accounting information systems to accountancy programmes. This study examines empirically the views of New Zealand-based academics and practitioners on nine accounting information systems categories and 29 individual topics deemed to be important components of an accounting information systems course. The results indicate statistical differences in the importance attached by academics and practitioners to three key areas, namely information technology, practical skills and systems analysis, design and development. The paper concludes that the research findings could help educators to design and develop an academically sound and more practically relevant accounting information systems curriculum.