The professional development of European accounting academics: A proposed theoretical framework for future research

Over the last decade there has been a growing interest in the professional development of accounting academics and the effectiveness of their teaching. There is recognition that this development impacts on the primary roles of accounting educators: teaching, research and administration. This paper examines the career stories of accounting educators from different European countries. The aim is to develop a theoretical framework to provide new insights into the process of professional development. The comparative analysis of these career experiences led to the development of a proposed conceptual framework for gaining an understanding of the professional development of accounting educators. Drawing on these findings, the paper proposes that an awareness of the key-factors and the process of professional development of accounting educators may provide a new way of understanding the complex relationships among identities, system of beliefs, and behaviours related to teaching, research and administration.     

The internationalization of British professional accounting: the role of the examination exporting bodies

This paper extends the seminal study of the role of the UK accounting profession undertaken by Johnson and Caygill (1971). It is argued that the influence of the British accounting profession upon overseas countries has changed significantly from the export of UK accountants to the export of examinations. This has greatly facilitated the attainment of a UK qualification by overseas nationals and thus enhanced the international influence of UK accounting principles and practices. The possible implications of this trend for importing countries are also explored. Finally, the paper discusses the impact of this new development upon the professional body which is the leading provider of overseas examinations.     

Govern(mentality) and Accounting: the Influence of Different Enlightenment Discourses in Two Spanish Cases (1761–1777)

New perspectives in accounting history have uncovered previously unattended relations between accounting and government. Earlier Foucauldian analyses of governments have not explained sufficiently the relations of accounting practices to governmental discourses in order to manage populations.
This work uses the governmentality frame to analyse the role of accounting in two organizations located in the south of Spain in the second half of the eighteenth century: the New Settlements of Sierra Morena and Andalucia (NSs) and the Royal Tobacco Factory of Seville (RTFS). The period studied is remarkable because it was the apogee of the Enlightenment in Spain. From the standpoint of government, this period facilitated a new way to manage populations. The present work has drawn on Foucault's concept of governmentality in order to discover how accounting worked in two government-supported organizations independently of the discourses that pervaded each one. Drawing on the reticulation of the space, the use of rules and accounting from the governmental perspective, we analyse those institutions.
The article concludes that the reticulation of space is an essential apparatus to exert action at a distance; the rules are a type of government technology; and, overall, accounting is a practice for the mastery of the population independently from the discourse of the institution.     

Rethinking science for sustainable development: Reflexive interaction for a paradigm transformation

If we postulate a need for the transformation of society towards sustainable development, we also need to transform science and overcome the fact/value split that makes it impossible for science to be accountable to society. The orientation of this paradigm transformation in science has been under debate for four decades, generating important theoretical concepts, but they have had limited impact until now. This is due to a contradictory normative science policy framing that science has difficulties dealing with, not least of all because the dominant framing creates a lock-in. We postulate that in addition to introducing transdisciplinarity, science needs to strive for integration of the normative aspect of sustainable development at the meta-level. This requires a strategically managed niche within which scholars and practitioners from many different disciplines can engage in a long-term common learning process, in order to become a “thought collective” (Fleck) capable of initiating the paradigm transformation. Arguing with Piaget that “decentration” is essential to achieve normative orientation and coherence in a learning collective, we introduce a learning approach—Cohn's “Theme-Centred Interaction”—which provides a methodology for explicitly working with the objectivity and subjectivity of statements and positions in a “real-world” context, and for consciously integrating concerns of individuals in their interdependence with the world. This should enable a thought collective to address the epistemological and ethical barriers to science for sustainable development.     

The accounting profession in Egypt: Its origin and development

The purpose of this paper is to present a historical review of the evolution of accounting and the accounting profession in Egypt. Such a review aims at providing the perspectives necessary to understand and evaluate the contemporary scene. The origin of accounting practices in Egypt can be traced to ancient Egyptian civilization, and the temples exhibit paintings of early accounting records and activities. Modern accounting practices can be dated from November 1883, when Egypt adopted the Commerce ACT. In the ensuing 125 years (1883–2008), Egyptian accounting practice can be divided into three stages: record keeping (1883–1939); financial reporting under changing economic regimes (1939–1975); and the move to adopt international accounting standards in an attempt to liberalize and integrate the Egyptian economy into the global economy (1975–). Each one of these stages reflects the impact of the socioeconomic conditions prevailing at the time. The evolution of accounting in Egypt demonstrates its ability to adapt in response to changing conditions. While there are several lessons to be drawn, and their relevance is noted, it is especially important for the accounting profession to anticipate changes in order to be responsive, in a timely manner, to the changing needs of the society.     

Agricultural cost accounting development in Britain: the contributions of three men from Wye - a review note

This note summarizes the contributions of three agriculturalists (Hall, Orwin and Wyllie) to agricultural cost accounting development in Britain in the early twentieth century. Through an examination of their writings and advocacies, an account is provided of their pioneering work in applying cost accounting to farm activity in Britain. Some contrary positions on agricultural costing that also emerged during their period of advocacy are also outlined.     

The role of accounting in high-technology investments

We present new qualitative empirical evidence from a series of interviews with representatives of venture capital support organisations, which discusses the role of accounting in high-technology investments. Our discussion is framed around three propositions on: whether or not the stewardship role of accounting still holds; the usefulness, or otherwise, of accounting information in the valuation of high-technology investments; and assessing the value of intangible assets in the investment decision. We find that accounting no longer plays such a strong stewardship role, certainly for the venture capital investor. Further, its role in enabling investors to make decisions on how, when and how much to invest is limited. We propose that standard setters take this on board in revising reporting requirements.     

Towards an enabling research agenda for the accounting/contracting nexus

Although it shares many similar concerns with the critical accounting project, the socio-legal approach has been neglected in the accounting literature. Drawing on the socio-legal literature, the paper argues that the law-and-economics model of contract ignores the diversity of judicial ideologies as well as failing to explain empirical evidence on the opportunistic use or non-use of contract in business relations. Presenting a summary of the complex linkages between accounting and contract, the paper demonstrates the possibilities of a shared enabling and emancipatory research agenda for the accounting/contracting nexus. Given that practitioners who promote strategic alliances and partnerships have already embraced much of the rhetoric of the relational contract, the paper argues for more empirical studies that examine whether the longer-term outcomes have delivered the proclaimed benefits.     

Review: Time machines,ethics and sustainable development: accounting for inter-generational equity in public sector organizations

This review paper explores the key challenges associated with effective inter-generational equity accounts in relation to the governance of public sector organizations and sustainable development transformations. Three different approaches to inter-generational equity accounting are evaluated and an outline for future research is provided.     

US government spending,the national debt,and the role of accounting educators

This article discusses the facts associated with US government deficits and the national debt. The growing problem of government debt is unsustainable and timely action is needed to avert serious economic problems in the future. While the current picture and forecast in the future are sobering, positive change that will restore fiscal balance is possible. Government spending and national debt are significant societal problems and the solutions can be facilitated by objective, non-partisan expertise from financial professionals such as accounting educators. We have an opportunity and responsibility to educate our students and others about the significance of our nation’s financial problems. The article also encourages accounting educators to be more active in researching and discussing these issues in a broader public context. Having faculty focus on federal spending in their teaching and research is consistent with recommendations by the Pathways Commission that encourage accounting faculty to focus on issues that matter to the profession and to society. The article suggests alternative methods for sharing the issues with various student audiences.     

The foundation of Confucianism in Chinese and Japanese accounting

The most important Chinese philosopher, Confucius, was primarily concerned with improving social welfare and ethical behaviour. He preached enlightened state leadership and conformity to traditions. Believing in equal opportunity education and public service, Confucius trained individuals to become government officials. He emphasized the importance of working with others harmoniously, contending that government should operate on the basis of propriety, morality, and rituals rather than laws and punishment.

This paper examines the main tenets of Confucianism and considers Chinese and Japanese accounting principles in light of Confucianism. The influence of Confucius on both Chinese and Japanese accounting is apparent.     

The role of accounting in money laundering and money dirtying

This paper examines the processes involved in the misapplication of accounting knowledge from the angle of financial crime. It analyses the importance of accounting knowledge in the construction of money laundering operations and the development of money dirtying. It shows that contrary to a widely held idea, money laundering and money dirtying techniques are not based on the same accounting practices and deviant mechanisms. This paper explores three degrees of integrating accounting knowledge in the organization of financial crime procedures. It sums up the motivations of white-collar criminals and demonstrates that the preparation of a money laundering operation differs from the financing of terrorist activities.     

Tightening credit standards: the role of accounting quality

Over the latest 20 years, the average credit rating of U.S. corporations has trended down. Blume et al. (1998, Journal of Finance, 53, 1389–1413.) attribute this trend to a tightening of credit standards by agencies. We reexamine the observed decreases in credit ratings in several ways. First, we show that this downward trend does not apply to speculative-grade issuers. Second, our analysis of investment-grade issuers suggests that the apparent tightening of standards can be attributed primarily to changes in accounting quality over time. After incorporating changing accounting quality, we find no evidence that rating agencies have tightened their credit standards.

Global ranking of accounting programmes and the elite effect in accounting research

We provide a global ranking of accounting research and examine the elite degree and elite affiliation effect. Based on 24 accounting journals during the period 1991–2005, the top 5 most productive countries in accounting research are in the following order: the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada and Hong Kong. We find a significant elite degree effect, indicating that authors who graduated from elite accounting programmes have a disproportionate share of publications in top‐notch journals. The same conclusion is also supported by the elite affiliation effect in which leading accounting journals have higher concentration of authors who are affiliated with elite institutions.     

Chinese bookkeeping systems: a study of accounting adaptation and change

The evolution of bookkeeping methods is one of the main features in the advance of Chinese accounting over several thousand years. This paper outlines the invention and application of Chinese-style bookkeeping methods from a historical perspective. With an emphasis on the rise and fall of the 'increase-decrease' bookkeeping method in the mid-1960s to 1980s, the paper not only illustrates the main characteristics of this bookkeeping system, but also analyses its relative strengths and deficiencies in contrast to the Italian-style debit-credit bookkeeping system. It is contended that the increase-decrease system is a continuing innovation of the Chinese-style bookkeeping and an attempt to adapt the western bookkeeping system in terms of the Chinese social and cultural traditions. Studies of this bookkeeping system may generate certain insightful input for the potential improvement of modern bookkeeping in other countries in light of the changing technological and economic conditions.     

The role of internet-related technologies in shaping the work of accountants: New directions for accounting research

This paper reviews the accounting literature that focuses on four Internet-related technologies that have the potential to dramatically change and disrupt the work of accountants and accounting researchers in the near future. These include cloud, big data, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI). For instance, access to distributed ledgers (blockchain) and big data supported by cloud-based analytics tools and AI will automate decision making to a large extent. These technologies may significantly improve financial visibility and allow more timely intervention due to the perpetual nature of accounting. However, given the number of tasks technology has relieved of accountants, these technologies may also lead to concerns about the profession's legitimacy. The findings suggest that scholars have not given sufficient attention to these technologies and how these technologies affect the everyday work of accountants. Research is urgently needed to understand the new kinds of accounting required to manage firms in the changing digital economy and to determine the new skills and competencies accountants may need to master to remain relevant and add value. The paper outlines a set of questions to guide future research.     

Financial reporting for sustainable development: Critical insights into IFRS implementation in the European Union

By adopting a political economy perspective to accounting, this paper provides an overall post-implementation assessment of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption relative to the European Union’s (EU’s) fundamental goal of sustainable development. The paper questions the consistency of the International Accounting Standards Board’s business view with the EU’s and provides some critical insights into the potential long-run effects of IFRS on the European economy and society. Therefore, it raises several doubts about unquestioned accounting standardization at a global level and makes some suggestions for future policymaking and research.     

Social and environmental accounting teaching in UK and Irish Universities: a research note on changes between 1993 and 1998.

This research note reports on a questionnaire–based survey of the teaching of social and environmental accounting (SEA) in undergraduate accounting degrees throughout the British Isles in 1998. The study is a replication and extension of Owen et al. 's (1994) survey in 1993 and analyses the significant changes from that study. The results suggest that environmental accounting is still the most prevalent SEA topic taught; and educators teach SEA because of the political prominence of SEA issues. Any absence of SEA teaching appears to be due to lack of time and space in crowded curricula. SEA appears not to be taught in some universities despite sustained interest in, and debate about, the development of environmental and social responsibility agendas throughout the 1990s. As the accounting literature speaks of the failure of teaching to reflect business and practitioner needs (AECC, 1990b), the paper posits that the lack of SEA teaching may be seen as an illustration of this failing.     

Futures of the sustainable firm: An evolutionary perspective

The response of firms to sustainable development issues needs to pass through a deep re-thinking of the strategic design, encompassing the entire organization, its functions and re-shaping its business model.This contribution proposes a frame of reference for SD oriented organizations, based on three cornerstones: principles, processes and outcomes. Based on an abductive research approach, an analysis is developed on some case studies. Special attention is devoted to the dynamics of SD oriented organizations in order to understand how firms can evolve towards progressively more challenging models of business which make compatible profitability and growth with respect for the environment and – beyond mere respect – positive proactive action to improve the planet resources.