Responding to crises: rewilding accounting education for the Anthropocene

PurposeResponding to COVID-19, this conceptual paper uses rewilding to interrupt anthropocentric and human/nature dualist properties of accounting education. Through rewilding accounting education, informed by posthumanist and ecofeminist thought, this paper aims to develop an accounting pedagogy that shapes greater ecocentric narratives. Accounting educators can contribute to addressing crises by evolving new pedagogies that radically transform the education of future accounting professionals.Design/methodology/approachThe authors take a critical stance in analysing the human-centred accounting education model. They explore how this model can be reimagined through rewilding accounting education, resulting in learning interventions that foster an understanding of intrinsic value, complexity of systems and collective disposition with all species and the natural world.FindingsRewilding learning interventions embed an ecocentric approach in accounting curricula design to extend beyond a human focus. Rewilding learning interventions practically explored with application to accounting include learning with and from nature, Indigenous knowledge perspectives, play as a common language and empathy as a dialogical bridge.Social implicationsThe authors present an accounting pedagogy that fosters among accounting students and educators a relational orientation and ecological consciousness that encompasses compassion and openness to others, including non-human species and nature. This will ensure that accounting graduates are better prepared for addressing future crises that stem from our disconnect with nature.Originality/valueThis paper adds to limited research investigating accounting and the Anthropocene. Investigations into the Anthropocene's human-centred discourse in accounting education are vital to respond adequately to crises. This paper extends social and environmental accounting education literature to encompass less anthropocentric discourse and greater relational learning.

Financial Reporting Quality in a Crisis Period

The Covid Pandemic has this far been a devastating event for the world economy, but it wasn't the only crisis of the 2020 financial period. Despite the health emergency, military conflict has not halted since the dawn of the coronavirus plague. In the current paper the authors try to analyze the combined impact of the COVID pandemic and war for a sample of 352 Turkish and Azeri equities during the 2019 and 2020 financial periods. Their findings suggest that the Nagorno-Karabakh war enforced timeliness for Azeri and Turkish issuers while overall the relevance of financial statements has dropped during the crisis period of 2020. IFRS compliance became a significant moderating factor during the crisis period. Overall, the year 2020 has been a turning point for accounting practice.

SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING HARMONIZATION IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY – WHAT IS NEXT?

The aim of this study is to examine the degree of external de facto harmonization of environmental and social information published in sustainability reports. Hotels sustainability reports are analyzed for data matching the GRI Standards indicators. C-index was used to calculate the degree of harmonization. Findings show that there is a low degree of harmonization of environmental and social information and differences in applying sustainability reporting frameworks. This is the first study examining the sustainability reporting harmonization in the hotel industry Findings also suggest a strong need for industry-specific standards and/or reporting formats.

Digital transformation of accounting practices and behavior during COVID-19: MENA evidence

Research Question: What are the impacts of digital transformation of accounting practices and behavior following the COVID-19 pandemic? Motivation: The outbreak of the health crisis linked to COVID-19 pandemic has turned massively the companies to adopt digital platforms for accounting function in order to keep concurrent pace with the emergent crisis at all levels (Begum, 2019). Many tools have emerged in terms of accounting procedures such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, eaccounting, and its adoption impacted accountant's behavior (Damerji & Salimi, 2021). Key stakeholders of this study include accountants and companies. Idea: We examine the impact of level of digitalization and changes caused by COVID-19 on accountant's behavior throughout multiple items. The independent variables utilized were, firm size, sector and position within companies. Data: We surveyed and analyzed a sample of 568 accountants operating in private companies in the MENA region, between February and April 2021, using SPSS software. Tools: A quantitative approach is adopted through a questionnaire-based survey. A sample of accountants in the MENA region was surveyed. Findings: Results show that changes caused by COVID-19 have a negative effect on accountant's behavior in terms of attitude, effort, expectancy, and adaptation. Otherwise, the level of digitalization, position occupied by the accountant and firm size have a positive effect on accountant's behavior in MENA region. Contribution: This paper contributes to literature by finding a concept foundation in order to help accounting profession in MENA region to digital transformation many processes. This paper helps accountants to adapt to changes engendered by COVID-19.

Accounting perspectives on the business value of big data during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic

Research Question: How can business organizations develop accounting practices to use big data to create competitive intelligence advantages to survive during and beyond the COVID19 conditions? Motivation: We aim to provide new accounting perspectives for using big data techniques in business organizations beyond the COVID-19. Idea: We argue that the massive reduction in business capacity and operations will interpose the accounting and financial practices beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a crucial need to uncover the underlying business practices and market circumstances toward the radical shifts in business and society. Data: Our paper uses a desk study method to investigate companies' possible challenges and opportunities to use big data analytics as a survival method during and beyond the COVID-19 conditions. Tools: Critical contingencies represent one of the leading business strategies to manage the shift in customer demand and business risks. Big data can be used in this sense as a valuable intangible asset to create these critical contingencies and help a business survive beyond this pandemic. Findings: This study provides policy and practitioner implications in relation to establishing new accounting perspectives on big data analytics in the context of achieving economic sustainability for corporations during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers new forms of trust, accountability and governance practices to integrate big data into accounting practices to create more competitive intelligence for businesses. Contribution: This study extends previous accounting literature by offering unique insights and critical developmental thoughts about accounting perspectives of big data applications, opportunities and challenges beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a critical understanding of the predictive analytics of big data from an accounting perspective as an intangible asset

Guest editorial: Accounting in transition: influence of technology, sustainability and diversity

The conference saw a line-up of experts which among others included The Honourable James Shaw, Minister of Climate Change in New Zealand, who promoted the incorporating of climate change information as a part of the New Zealand financial reporting framework;and Distinguished Professor Paul Spoonley who shared his knowledge, experiences and thoughts on diversity and ethnicity. Impact of technology on the required skills of tomorrow’s accountants The adoption and use of new technology such as intelligent automation, big data, blockchain and cloud-based software have brought about significant changes to the accounting profession (Qasim and Kharbat, 2020). The authors find a climate of positive attitude towards new technology and accompanying actions in the Big-Four firms and that financial auditors are providing deep business insights through data visualisation. The manuscripts on the technological influences on accounting suggest that digital transformation has radically changed the nature of accounting practices and for accountants to be ready to leverage the potential of digital tools, they need to focus on developing their core competencies through lifelong education and skill development training.

The impact of emerging technologies on accounting curriculum and the accounting profession

Purpose>In this commentary, the author uses the development of data analytics curriculum at DePaul University as an example to highlight possible challenges and share the experience. In addition, seven different possible future research directions are identified so the readers are able to understand more about the impact of emerging technologies on the accounting profession and accounting curriculum.Findings>Challenges and experience when developing data analytics curriculum at DePaul University are discussed. In addition, seven different possible future research directions are identified so the readers are able to understand more about the impact of emerging technologies on the accounting profession and accounting curriculum.Originality/value>This paper expresses the author’s viewpoints regarding the impact of emerging technologies on accounting curriculum and the accounting profession.

The external auditors' policy after the COVID-19 pandemic and the accounting outlook in Tunisia

[...]in order to help with the recovery of the economy and business finances, this article has examined a set of forward-looking plans based on the changes brought about by the COVID-19, which have the potential to improve people's lives for the better. [...]the purpose of this essay is to present a strategic foresight to assist external auditors in achieving their goals once the pandemic ends, i.e., we will investigate the variables that assist external auditors in improving their activity following the COVID-19 problem. [...]this study adds to the growing body of knowledge about the impact of the corona-virus on the accounting activities by looking into the strategic foresight after the pandemic, specifically the digitization associated to the COVID-19 pandemic. [...]this study used the cognitive mapping method to investigate the factors that aid in the recovery of activities following the COVID-19 crisis.

THE USE OF THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS BY JAPANESE SMES

The purpose of the study is to analyze the usage of the statement of cash flows (SCF) by Japanese SMEs from the perspective of preparers. The paper analyzes how institutional mandates have shaped organizational behavior, and how these mandates reflect the country's social and cultural values. We analyze this premise in respect to the usage of the statement of cash flows by Japanese SMEs. The study relies on institutional theory and cultural values to help explain the results obtained from a survey questionnaire. We focus on financial reporting behavior when the SCF is a noncompulsory disclosure under SMEs general guidelines. We analyze different variables including intent to make a public offering and the number of professional accounting staff, and find firm size to be significantly associated with the recognition and production of the statement of cash flows. We believe that our findings will be useful to the Japanese government in designing SME economic guidance for capital growth to improve capabilities and ensure sustainability.