Camelia Iuliana Lungu, Chiraţa Caraiani and Cornelia Dascălu
This study analyses the scope of social and environmental reporting from the perspective of integrating it in financial reporting and comments on a new approach regarding the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study analyses the scope of social and environmental reporting from the perspective of integrating it in financial reporting and comments on a new approach regarding the presentation of social and environmental information in the annual reports from Romanian companies’ perspective.
Methodology
A literature review introduces and justifies the second part of the research. The latter is organised as an exploratory study based on interviews. It presents the current state of Romanian companies’ availability for reconsidering financial reporting from the perspective of corporate social responsibility.
Findings
While social and environmental involvement of Romanian companies is at an early stage, there is a basis for future development of corporate reporting by addressing social and environmental aspects. We noticed that companies have the tendency of responding rather to a mandatory framework than a voluntary one.
Research limitations
The limitations of the research are linked to the study population. The small number of Romanian companies that publicly manifest interest for social responsibility determined the choice of a qualitative instead of a quantitative research.
Social implications
The exploratory study based on the case of Romania accompanies the present state of non-financial versus financial reporting in order to highlight measurable and non-measurable, but relevant, information to be considered in a future reporting framework.
Originality of the chapter
The study advances new lines in accounting research by confronting the national and international perspectives of social and environmental reporting. Debates and arguments on the research results add value and utility to the research.
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Howard Kahn, Joanna E. Stevenson and Robin Roslender
The purpose of this paper is to report and discuss the principal findings of a recent study of thinking and practice about workforce health and wellbeing among UK accounting and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report and discuss the principal findings of a recent study of thinking and practice about workforce health and wellbeing among UK accounting and finance and human resource management professionals.
Design/methodology/approach
The data informing the paper were collected using postal questionnaires to two samples of 1,000 UK accounting and finance and human resource directors. The research design incorporated the facility for a full second mailing to respondents.
Findings
The responses received from the sample of human resource directors were generally more supportive of viewing workforce health and wellbeing as a valuable organisational asset. Accounting and finance professionals employed in private sector organisations were the least enthusiastic about such issues.
Research limitations/implications
While the design of the questionnaire afforded the opportunity for commentary on answers by respondents, semi‐structured interviews will allow a more detailed exploration of the issues.
Practical implications
The UK accountancy profession has yet to fully appreciate the significance of the intellectual capital phenomenon. In seeking to engage health and wellbeing issues, it may be desirable to consider collaboration with the human resource management profession.
Originality/value
Health and wellbeing have seldom been recognised as key constituents of human capital. Consequently, this is the first such study to be carried out.
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Emilio Boulianne, Leanne S. Keddie and Maxence Postaire
This study seeks to identify how professional accountants in France are educated in sustainability; we examine the French accounting programs in regard to sustainability…
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to identify how professional accountants in France are educated in sustainability; we examine the French accounting programs in regard to sustainability accounting education recommendations.
Design/methodology/approach
We analyze a variety of documents to ascertain what comprises the typical accounting education program in France. Additionally, we conduct five interviews of various stakeholders to understand the importance of sustainability accounting and education in the French context.
Findings
We note an interesting paradox in the French context: while the government requires the reporting and auditing of corporate sustainability information, we find that sustainability is not greatly present in the government-funded French accounting education program. We determine that the government’s power in setting the education agenda combined with its budget restrictions and ability to defer responsibility to other parties has resulted in this paradox in the French setting.
Practical implications
This research draws attention to the consequences of society ignoring sustainability education for professional accountants.
Social implications
This paper contributes to the discussion on how to educate responsible professional accountants and the implications for the planet if accountants are not trained in sustainability.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the important domain of sustainability accounting education. We also explore additional implications for the accounting profession and the general public.
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As anti‐money laundering legislation is refined, expanded and adopted more readily by an increasing number of countries, criminal elements are finding the need to seek the…
Abstract
As anti‐money laundering legislation is refined, expanded and adopted more readily by an increasing number of countries, criminal elements are finding the need to seek the assistance of intermediaries, other than those currently captured by this legislation, to launder the proceeds of their illegal activities. The sophisticated launderer has both the time and money to explore new opportunities for laundering funds and the necessary means to purchase the experts to organise, arrange or coordinate any scheme necessary to bypass a country's anti‐money laundering legislation.
Saslina Kamaruddin and Zaiton Hamin
The purpose of this paper is to provide some empirical findings on the predicaments of lawyers’ anti-money laundering (AML) compliance in Malaysia and the rationales for such…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide some empirical findings on the predicaments of lawyers’ anti-money laundering (AML) compliance in Malaysia and the rationales for such predicaments.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a qualitative research in which the primary data are obtained from seven case studies involving legal firms within the Klang Valley, Selangor, Malaysia, which is triangulated with the data from the Central Bank and the Malaysian Bar Council.
Findings
The authors contend that despite the vulnerability of their profession to money laundering, the level of awareness of the AML obligations amongst Malaysian legal practitioners is rather minimal. Also, the imposition of obligations upon them in policing their clients and regulating money laundering is not only onerous but also contrary to the ethics of their profession.
Originality/value
This paper fills the gap in providing the empirical evidence on lawyers’ compliance to their statutory AML obligations in Malaysia. Also, this paper could be a useful source of information for practitioners, academicians and students. It could also be a beneficial guide for policymakers for any possible future amendments to the law.
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Emilio Boulianne and S. Leanne Keddie
This study explores how Canadian CPAs (Chartered Professional Accountants) are trained in sustainability. The main research questions are: What place should sustainability take in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores how Canadian CPAs (Chartered Professional Accountants) are trained in sustainability. The main research questions are: What place should sustainability take in the accounting program? What place does sustainability occupy in the CPA accounting program? And, over time, has sustainability gained or lost ground within the Canadian professional accounting education program?
Methodology/approach
Content analysis and interviews.
Findings
We find that sustainability is not a key component of the CPA education program since its sustainability content has shrunk over the years. We believe that the groupthink phenomenon may have influenced the selection of CPA Competency Map participants (whose backgrounds reveal a lack of sustainability expertise) as well as the participants’ discussions. Additionally, a lack of consideration for society as a key stakeholder may have also influenced the shortage of sustainability content. Finally, power dynamics might have contributed to the financial accounting and reporting competencies dominating the new map.
Research limitations
We did not have access to the live meetings when the Map was created, although we conducted interviews with representatives involved in the process. This research is bound by a confidentiality agreement that limits us from providing sensitive details. However, we do not consider that these limitations undermine our contribution or reduce the relevance of our research.
Originality/value
Our research contributes to the under-researched domain of sustainability education and to understanding how groupthink, stakeholder theory and power dynamics may have contributed to the dearth of sustainability coverage in the new Canadian CPA program.
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Russell Craig and Joselito Diga
This paper proposes a framework to facilitate description of national financial accounting systems. Its first element, broad aims, identifies the fundamental purpose of national…
Abstract
This paper proposes a framework to facilitate description of national financial accounting systems. Its first element, broad aims, identifies the fundamental purpose of national financial accounting systems as being to effect a macro‐user or micro‐user orientation. From this emerges the second element, institutional environment, which describes the nature of regimes put in place to effect regulation. This influences the third element, the specific accounting rules and practices adopted. Aspects of international practice relating to each of these three elements are illustrated. The pedagogical benefits of the framework are demonstrated. The standard vocabulary and the structured format of the framework is used to describe, in capsule form, the national financial accounting systems of Korea and Indonesia. The framework seems likely to enhance understanding of the similarities and differences in national financial accounting systems and to contribute useful insights to international accounting matters.
A distinction must be drawn between a dismissal on the one hand, and on the other a repudiation of a contract of employment as a result of a breach of a fundamental term of that…
Abstract
A distinction must be drawn between a dismissal on the one hand, and on the other a repudiation of a contract of employment as a result of a breach of a fundamental term of that contract. When such a repudiation has been accepted by the innocent party then a termination of employment takes place. Such termination does not constitute dismissal (see London v. James Laidlaw & Sons Ltd (1974) IRLR 136 and Gannon v. J. C. Firth (1976) IRLR 415 EAT).
Robin Roslender, Susan Hart and Christian Nielsen
This paper aims to identify and discuss insights from the business model field on the creation and delivery of value to customers that provide new thinking in relation to the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify and discuss insights from the business model field on the creation and delivery of value to customers that provide new thinking in relation to the strategic management accounting field.
Design/methodology/approach
The customer emphases exhibited in parts of the extant strategic management accounting literature are highlighted and amplified using insights from the business model literature, including those relating to value propositions, customer value creation and delivery and meeting customers’ value expectations.
Findings
The paper demonstrates that in addition to providing valuable insights for accounting to management, an extended strategic management accounting concept enables accounting and reporting to customers, now identified as major stakeholders, in the context of integrated reporting.
Practical implications
Through its customer resonances, the paper affirms strategic management accounting’s practical utility for organisations seeking a strong position in highly competitive marketplaces, via the addition of a focus on accounting to customers.
Originality/value
The paper’s use of insights from the business model literature further reinforces the view that strategic management accounting potentially constitutes a pivotal development within both managerial and financial accounting and reporting.
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Hans Geiger and Oliver Wuensch
To provide an economic view on the costs and benefits of anti‐money laundering (AML) efforts.
Abstract
Purpose
To provide an economic view on the costs and benefits of anti‐money laundering (AML) efforts.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a international, comparative study conducted in Switzerland, Singapore and Germany, the authors outline the impact of AML measures on banks and the financial services industry. The paper discusses possible reasons for the failure of AML to fight the predicated crimes. It also discusses the collateral damage caused by AML.
Findings
Compared with the monetary and non‐monetary costs of money laundering prevention for the society and the economy, the benefits are small. Instead of broadening and deepening the current AML framework, a thorough review of the current approach should take place.
Research limitation/implications
Costs and benefits of AML measures are hardly quantifiable. The authors resort to a qualitative approach, stylising possible outcomes and side effects of money laundering prevention.
Practical implications
Useful set of arguments for discussing the benefits and shortcomings of the current and upcoming AML measures.
Originality/value
Money laundering measures and their impact are examined using basic laws of economy and financial intermediation.