What is the 'raison d'etre' of auditing? Does auditing only exist by the grace of the legislator? Or does auditing fulfill other needs in contemporary society? For many companies, auditing has been made mandatory. This is possibly one of the reasons why researchers to date have given limited attention regarding the drivers for the demand for audit. Auditing (seen as a social control mechanism) is part of an organizational order in society. Therefore, it is essential to reflect on the (changing) demands of society. As a lack of insight why society demands an audit, accommodates the risk of not meeting the needs and expectations of society, the added value of auditing may be called into question. This dissertation deals with the question: what are drivers for the demand for audit for Dutch SME companies which are not mandatory required to have their financial statements audited.

This book draws on ancient Egyptian inscriptions in order to theorize the relationship between accounting and order. It focuses especially on the performative power of accounting in producing and sustaining order in society. It explores how accounting intervened in various domains of the ancient Egyptian world: the cosmos; life on earth (offerings to the gods; taxation; transportation; redistribution for palace dependants; mining activities; work organization; baking and brewing; private estates and the household; and private transactions in semi-barter exchange); and the cult of the dead. The book emphasizes several possibilities through which accounting can be theorized over and above strands of theorizing that have already been explored in detail previously. These additional possibilities theorize accounting as a performative ritual; myth; a sign system; a signifier; a time ordering device; a spatial ordering device; violence; and as an archive and a cultural memory. Each of these themes are summarized with further suggestions as to how theorizing might be pursued in future research in the final chapter of the book. This book is of particular relevance to all accounting students and researchers concerned with theorize accounting and also with the relevance of history to the project of contemporary theorizing of accounting.

Over many decades the global development of professional accounting education programmes has been undertaken by higher education institutions, professional accounting bodies, and employers. These institutions have sometimes co-operated and sometimes been in conflict over the education and/or training of future accounting professionals. These ongoing problems of linkage and closure between academic accounting education and professional training have new currency because of pressures from students and employers to move accounting preparation onto a more efficient, economic and practical basis. The Interface of Accounting Education and Professional Training explores current elements of the interface between the academic education and professional training of accountants in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. It argues for a reassessment of the considerations and requirements for developing professional accounting programs which can make a student: capable of being an accountant (the academy); ready to be an accountant (the workplace); and professional in being an accountant (the professional bodies). This book was originally published as a special issue of Accounting Education: An International Journal.

The objective of "Research in Accounting in Emerging Economies" is to raise the level of interest in the specific problems of accounting in emerging economies; and increase awareness of real issues, so that accounting in these countries will not just be seen as a matter of copying what is done in the industrialized countries. "RAEE" is intended to provide an authoritative overview of accounting research and progress in emerging economies.

Accounting: A Foundation is written for any student starting a course of study in bookkeeping and accounting. Based on a new interpretation of the accounting model, the book begins with a clear and coherent introduction to double entry. It then uses the new model to describe and illustrate the financial workings of the limited company. As a general introduction, the book covers the accounting knowledge required by non-specialist students of business and management as well as those who will go on to study accounting in depth. In UK further education, the book is suitable for courses aimed at AAT Foundation, BTEC HND, A-Level, RSA, LCCI, GCSE, and introductory levels of the main professional bodies such as ACCA, CIMA, ICSA, CIPFA and the main English, Scottish and Irish professional bodies - the ICAEW, the ICAS and the ICAI. In effect this means anywhere that a knowledge of the technical aspects of bookkeeping is required. There are equivalent courses at this level in all countries of the world. In higher education the book is suitable for undergraduate courses in accounting and business where the tutor wishes to teach the technical background to accounting thoroughly. This readership extends to the non-specialist market, as some teachers wish to teach double entry to students even though they may be on an appreciation course. Undergraduates who specialise in accounting, eg those doing a BA Accounting and Finance (in Europe the Economics route) or combined/joint degree with languages will need to study the technical aspects of accounting in depth in order to progress to modules on intermediate and advanced accounting.

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Advances in Accounting Education is a refereed, academic research annual whose purpose is to meet the needs of faculty members interested in ways to improve their classroom instruction. It publishes thoughtful, well-developed articles that are readable, relevant and reliable. Articles are peer-reviewed and may be either empirical or non-empirical. They emphasize pedagogy, i.e., explaining how faculty members can improve their teaching methods, or how accounting units can improve their curricula/programs. The series examines diverse issues such as software use, cultural differences, perceptions of the profession, and more.

Dr. Riahi-Belkaoui calls for new, higher standards of research into accounting and its problems. To understand this he compares the perspectives or visions used by researchers in other fields to what is desirable in the accounting field, outlining six areas of critical concern to accounting professionals and scholars. Out of this readers will get a better understanding of exactly what is meant by higher standards in research methodology, greater confidence in its outcomes, and a more complete understanding of how complex the research process in accounting really is. Practicing accountants, academics, businesspersons, and others working in the social sciences will gain new insights into the problems that accounting faces, and how the search for solutions can be best undertaken.

An important scholar in the history of accounting, Geoffrey Whittington's numerous articles cover a broad spectrum of the field and are both sharply insightful and extremely significant. He has made important contributions to the topics of inflation accounting, accounting theory and methodology and standard-setting, and he has conducted a number of valuable empirical studies. This remarkable collection pulls together essays and articles and encompasses his work on empirical studies based on company accounts, specification of empirical models, price change accounting, taxation and regulation, and regulation of accounting and auditing. Accompanied by a new introduction and conclusion, this significant volume will be extremely useful for historians of accounting as well as accountancy practitioners and researchers.

The African context provides a unique environment for accounting research: the stage of economic and market development is low, corruption is rife and politics often meddles in corporate affairs. Such an environment can affect the nature of accounting and indeed the manner in which accounting is used, which makes accounting research in Africa important and interesting. The 10 papers in this volume were presented at the inaugural African Accounting and Finance Association (AAFA) in 2011 and are based on data from Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa. Motivated by the AAFA vision, this special volume provides a source of rich data for academics, practitioners and policy makers with interest in accounting research in Africa to draw upon to inform accounting debate and help provide better understanding of accounting in Africa and beyond.

This book brings together, for the first time, studies of the professionalisation of accountancy in key constituent territories of the British Empire. The late nineteenth century was a period of intensive activity in terms of both imperialism and professionalisation. A team of expert contributors has examined profession-state engagements between Britain, on the one hand and Canada, South Africa, Australia, Nigeria, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, India and Kenya, and the other with a view to assessing how the organizations of accountancy in the colonies was affecting the metropolitan profession and state agents- and vice versa. Their contributions highlight the peculiarities of the professionalization processes in variant social, economic and political environments linked together by the relays of empire, prompting reflection on both the common and disparate dynamics involved.

This book has numerous objectives, including giving historical insight and focus on countries that provide contrasting and variant examples of the uptake of the "British model," and broadening the appeal of accounting history and professionalisation as a taught subject in university accounting departments.

Stephen Zeff has been a prolific researcher on the history of accounting and auditing in the twentieth century. He has written numerous papers on the history of standard setting and regulation, of accounting and auditing practice, of the accounting profession, of accounting thought, and of the intellectual contributions of major authors (such as Hatfield, Canning, Paton and MacNeal).

This volume brings together the greatest hits of Zeff's academic career, including several articles that were published in out-of-the way places, for easier use by students and researchers of the field. In an introduction, Zeff discusses the evolution of his research interests and explains the factors led to the writing of the papers and their intended contribution to the literature. The book also includes a complete list of his publications.

Written for professional and aspiring accountants, this book addresses the specific ethical issues that accountants are often obliged to resolve in the context of their work. The authors, an accountant and an ethicist, take a case-based, pragmatic approach to the subject, examining real life dilemmas often faced in the practice of accountancy. Each chapter investigates a specific issue, such as whistle-blowing or the implications of independence, and includes several case studies that put the theoretical analysis into practical perspective. Throughout, Cottell and Perlin seek to go beyond the codes of professional behavior to confront the subtle personal, corporate, and governmental pressures that make ethical decision making difficult. In an era in which accountants have been tried publicly for aiding in corporate fraud, "Accounting EthicS" provides a careful and welcome exploration of the moral issues faced almost daily by professionals in the field.

Following an introductory chapter that raises fundamental questions about accountability, the authors analyze and interpret the three different systems from which ethical considerations are born--deontologism, utilitarianism, and ethical realism. Subsequent chapters examine particular types of conflicts. Among the topics that receive extended treatment are moral conflicts within the firm, the issue of independence, whistle-blowing as an option, legal requirements and ethical duties, difficulties in relationships among professionals, questions of sexual difference and discrimination, and accounting's responsibility to society. Specialized jargon is kept to a minimum, making this an excellent resource for anyone practicing or considering a career in the accounting profession.

Corporate Financial Reporting Analysis combines comprehensive coverage and a rigorous approach to modern financial reporting with a readable and accessible style. Merging traditional principles of corporate finance and accepted reporting practices with current models enable the reader to develop essential interpretation and analysis skills, while the emphasis on real-world practicality and methodology provides seamless coverage of both GAAP and IFRS requirements for enhanced global relevance. Two decades of classroom testing among INSEAD MBA students has honed this text to provide the clearest, most comprehensive model for financial statement interpretation and analysis; a concise, logically organized pedagogical framework includes problems, discussion questions, and real-world case studies that illustrate applications and current practices, and in-depth examination of key topics clarifies complex concepts and builds professional intuition. With insightful coverage of revenue recognition, inventory accounting, receivables, long-term assets, M&A, income taxes, and other principle topics, this book provides both education and ongoing reference for MBA students.

Despite the enormous impact of various accounting scandals on the accounting profession, the general malaise amongst the profession more broadly, and the significant legislative and institutional reforms that have taken place as a result, there are still surprisingly few textbooks on accounting ethics. This concise introductory text takes a broad view of ethics and accounting, taking into account contemporary social trends, such as globalization and terrorism. Rather than delineating codes of professional conduct, this text pushes the reader towards an understanding of the nature of ethical dilemmas and the factors that influence the ways in which accountants frame ethical questions. The book is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on developing thinking about the different kinds of ethical questions that could be posed in relation to accounting. The second part focuses more explicitly on accounting practice, exploring the ethical function of accounting in relation to the market economy, ethics in relation to the accounting profession, and the ethics of the international accounting harmonization project. Accounting and Business Ethics is a compact introduction aimed at both students and practitioners who want to understand more about the ethics of accounting.

Both financial and non-financial managers with accountability for performance at either a strategic level or for a business unit have responsibility for risk management, in terms of failing to achieve organisational objectives.Fundamentals of Enterprise Risk management is structured around four parts and 26 self-contained chapters. Each chapter will have ample practical examples and illustrations/mini-case studies from retail, manufacturing and service industries and from the public and not-for-profit sectors to enable the reader to understand and apply the concepts in the book.

Designed primarily for middle and junior management who deal with financial information without really understanding the content; students who are studying accounting as a non-specialist subject, for example on a business studies or engineering course. The book serves as a basic reference to be used throughout the course.
It will also be particularly helpful in providing the basic grounding that is required before moving on to the more technical and in-depth study of the subject that may be required on some courses. Students who are embarking on a course of study to become a professional accountant will also find this book of major benefit.
In addition to revisions through out, a new new chapter 'Making long-term investment decisions' covering capital investment decisions, extends and rounds out the final part of the book: using Financial Information to Manage a Business. The chapter deals with the investment appraisal process and covers the main investment appraisal techniques from the point of view of a non-specialist: payback periods, accounting rate of return and discounted cash flow methods are just some of the new topics covered.
The focus will be on the level of understanding that a non-specialist requires in the work place as such, in keeping with the rest of the book, the chapter includes practical examples and exercises to enhance the reader's understanding.
* Jargon free and easy to understand - no prior knowledge of the subject necessary
* Focuses on the principles and use of accounting information
* Review questions to assess progress at each stage and many fully worked exercises and examples

Advances in Accounting Education: Teaching and Curriculum Innovations is a refereed, academic research annual that aims to meet the needs of faculty members interested in ways to improve their classroom instruction. It includes both non-empirical and empirical articles dealing with accounting pedagogy at college and university level. Non-empirical papers are academically rigorous and specifically discuss the institutional context of a course or program, as well as any relevant trade offs or policy issues. Empirical reports exhibit sound research design and execution, and develop a thorough motivation and literature review. Thoughtful, well-developed articles describe how teaching methods or curricula/programs can be improved. Advances in Accounting Education: Teaching and Curriculum Innovations serves as a forum for sharing generalizable teaching approaches ranging from curricula development to content delivery techniques. Readable, relevant and reliable this volume is of interest to all instructors, researchers and administrators committed to improving accounting education at the college and university level. This volume presents relevant, readable articles dealing with accounting pedagogy at college/university level. It serves as a forum for sharing generalizable teaching approaches ranging from curricula development to content delivery techniques and is of interest to instructors, researchers and administrators committed to improving accounting education.

The book explores the developing challenges and opportunities within the business and finance world which are likely to impact the accounting profession in the near future. It outlines a number of approaches to ensure that the accountants of the future are equipped with a useful awareness of some of the key topic areas that are quickly becoming a reality and helps bridge the gap between academia and practice. The chapters are standalone introductory pieces to provide useful precis of key topics and how they apply to the accounting profession in particular. It aims to deliver key readings on 'hot topics' not addressed in other texts which the accounting profession is tackling or are likely to tackle soon. Hence the book provides accounting students and researchers a solid grounding in a broad range of highly relevant non-technical accounting themes, looking at the bigger environment in which future accountants will be operating, involving considerations of strategic corporate governance issues and highlighting competences beyond the standard technical accounting skill sets.

A book that goes behind the more official presentations and accounts of research methods to explore the lived experiences, joys and mistakes of a wide range of international researchers principally working in the fields of accounting and finance, but also in management, economics and other social sciences.
The authors of the articles in this book address a wide range of issues and obstacles that they have confronted at various stages in their respective research careers. In reflecting on their personal experiences, they provide practical guidance on how to overcome the types of problems that typically confront researchers in their day-to-day work.
* Practical tips on how to undertake research and get findings published
* Research project management skills
* International and interdisciplinary perspectives

This is the first and only book to offer a comprehensive survey of accounting research on a broad international scale for the last two centuries. Its main emphasis is on accounting research in the English, German, Italian, French and Spanish language areas; it also contains chapters dealing with research in Finland, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Russia, Poland and the Ukraine as well as Argentina and Japan. In a time of financial globalization, familiarity with accounting research in countries beyond the English language boundary is no less important than familiarity with the recent, comprehensive research activity in the English language area. It also offers a survey of the present state of the art (from empirical to analytical accounting and from such esoteric subjects as gender issues to the archaeology of accounting); finally, it casts a glance into the future.

This book is essential for students and practitioners in accounting, international business, finance, and economics. In a straightforward and readable style, it focuses on the changing accounting and auditing standards in national and global economies in the post-Enron/Arthur Andersen era. The authors clarify the reasons behind and consequences of the accounting profession's failure in auditing and self-regulation, as most firms placed consulting profits ahead of public audit duties. They show how Sarbanes-Oxley solutions, while not perfect, are major contributors to the profession's redemption, and have enabled it to rise to new heights of service and revenue. The book offers a detailed examination of accounting practitioners' past challenges and future prospects. It provides a realistic analysis of specific issues facing accounting and auditing firms today, including the growing problem of independence; the need for one set of international accounting standards and one set of auditing standards; adjustments facing the global financial system; and the impact of the Internet and communication systems on accounting firms.

'A devastating expose.' Mail on Sunday They helped cause the 2008 financial crash. They created a global tax avoidance industry. They lurk behind the scenes at every level of government... The world's 'Big Four' accountancy firms - PwC, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and KPMG - have become a gilded elite. Up in the high six figures, an average partner salary rivals that of a Premier League footballer. But how has the seemingly humdrum profession of accountancy got to this level? And what is the price we pay for their excesses? Leading investigative journalist Richard Brooks charts the profession's rise to global influence and offers a gripping expose of the accountancy industry. From underpinning global tax avoidance to corrupting world football, Bean Counters reveals how the accountants have used their central role in the economy to sell management consultancy services that send billions in fees its way. A compelling history informed by numerous insider interviews, this is essential reading for anyone interested in how our economy works and the future of accountancy.

Accounting's contribution to reality construction is envisioned in this volume of critical research, examining accounting's role in contemporary issues: ethics, sustainability, financial instability, post SOX legislation, education, and performance appraisals to name a few. Do CEOs manage rather than reveal environmental liabilities in their never-ending quest for reporting earnings? Under the scrutiny of negative publicity, does the banking community revise images, mask impending crises, and distort regulatory processes? Will shifts in litigation risk influence financial reporting? How do demands and perceptions from powerful external stakeholders change education or organizational processes? How might accounting positively engage in social movements, grass-roots empowerment, and change? These are among the explorations in this volume through case studies, interviews, analysis and interdisciplinary perspectives. Exposing accounting's impact on major social struggles of our times, these works contribute to the debates by revealing that the discipline can be a vital technology in the tool box of governance, political, economic and social practice, holding a key for affirmation and empowerment.

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to accounting and finance, and is used on a variety of courses including BTEC Higher National, undergraduate degree, RSA and LCCI. In the fourth edition there have been significant changes to the structure and content to reflect the requirements of the new BTEC Higher National in Business and Finance. New material has been included on the use of spreadsheets, and updated information on recent developments in financial and management accounting. In response to feedback from lecturers, answers to multiple-choice questions and other selected questions have now been included at the back of the book.