This book addresses the growing interest among policymakers, practitioners and academics in the evolution and the future implications of social, environmental and sustainability accounting. To do so, it examines the conceptual and practical application of accountability at multiple levels and contexts, and presents a range of case studies focusing on salient issues, perspectives and the potential of multidimensional accounting and reporting regimes. Intended for a diverse audience, the book allows readers to gain a better understanding of the topics, encourages dialogue and debate, and stimulates innovation in scholarship, policy and practice.

Written by one of ANZ’s premier sustainability and social accounting academics, An Introduction to Accounting: Accountability in Organisations and Society brings today’s accounting hot topics of corporate accountability, sustainability and social responsibility to life with the only complete textbook created from the ground up for these modern accounting teaching and learning concepts. An Introduction to Accounting: Accountability in Organisations and Society takes a unique approach in embracing from the start the notion of accountability for the environment and sustainability in accounting; the structure, content and learning activities provide students with an understanding of accounting’s pervasive and transformative role as a social practice and organisational driver. It shows that environments, ideas and values change; the interconnectivity of society; that the planet must be respected as a resource; and that people are affected/influenced by the information they receive and the way it is presented. It is emphasised that accounting and accountability are key aspects of every person’s life and that the practice of accounting, while often being seen as very technical in nature, has many social implications. Learning accounting through the lens of sustainability and the environment embeds this perspective in students’ minds so that in their careers they will actively seek and use accounting information to make decisions that take into consideration accountability for the environment. Premium online teaching and learning tools are available on the MindTap platform. Learn more about the online tools here: cengage.com.au/mindtap

Written by Craig Deegan, Australia's premier sustainability and social accounting academic, An Introduction to Accounting: Accountability in Organisations and Society is the only resource in the market that brings corporate accountability, sustainability, and social responsibility together to provide a unique offering within the introductory accounting market. This text takes a unique approach by embracing from the start the notion of accountability for the environment and sustainability in accounting, providing students with an understanding of accounting’s pervasive and transformative role as a social practice and organisational driver. It shows that environments, ideas and values change; the interconnectivity of society; that the planet must be respected as a resource; and that people are affected/influenced by the information they receive and the way it is presented. The text emphasises that accounting and accountability are key aspects of every person’s life and that the practice of accounting, while often being seen as very technical in nature, has many social implications. Learning accounting through the lens of sustainability and the environment embeds this perspective in students’ minds so that in their careers they will actively seek and use accounting information to make decisions that take into consideration accountability for the environment. Premium online teaching and learning tools are available on the MindTap platform. Learn more about the online tools au.cengage.com/mindtap

For those interested in scientific and practical debate about social, environmental and sustainable accountability, the present volume provides such a discussion at the international level, considering the different typologies of companies. There is one common factor between the gas and oil sectors, waste management, and the economy of communion enterprises: they must all be legitimated in a sustainable modern world in order for us to find a new paradigm and give the world the best chance of survival. The contributors to this volume started to discuss these topics during the 7th Italian CSEAR conference held in Urbino, Italy, in 2018 and have continued the debate here, in order to answer necessary questions which will help prevent further environmental destruction.

This Handbook explores how accounting, accountability and governance are interconnected, and demonstrates that they must operate effectively together in establishing good personal and organizational behaviour in entities of all types around the globe. It will be crucial for academic researchers working within the fields of accounting, economics, corporate governance, accountability, management and business and be beneficial for accounting, economics and management professionals seeking to clarify and expand upon their knowledge for effective application.

The Handbook of Accounting in Society invites readers to consider the ways in which accounting affects organizations, institutions, communities, professions, and everyday life. Diverse in its reach, this Handbook campaigns for the need to reconsider our understanding of what accounting is and crucially, what it can become.

Recent corporate failures have attracted the attention of managers, governments and the general public to the role of governance and social responsibility. Ranging from managerial behaviour and reward systems, to environmental protection and human rights, governance and social responsibility encompasses a variety of thought provoking business issues. In Governance and Social Responsibility, Aras and Crowther bring together the considerable debates about what exactly it is, and how it can be applied to business. Key Features: - Written by leading governance and social responsibility experts - International coverage and orientation - Comprehensive coverage of CSR issues and debates - Excellent pedagogy, including case studies, reflective questions and further reading Firmly grounded in academic research, Governance and Social Responsibility is an ideal companion for CSR courses at all levels.

Funded by taxation, public spending cannot be separated from politics and ensuring efficiency and effectiveness is always high on the political and policy agenda. Accounting, accountability, governance and auditing are essential ingredients in evaluating public sector performance. Australia and New Zealand are world leaders when it comes to public sector accounting—such as being the first to introduce transaction-neutral accounting standards. This edited collection considers current issues impacting the public sector by primarily drawing upon experiences of Australia and New Zealand. Then, by combining history (from the time of the Domesday book, early sovereignty and Shakespeare) with current practice (differential reporting, international financial reporting standards, government performance, voter turnout, joined-up government and auditing practices), we use these experiences to illuminate the global issues of public sector accounting, accountability and governance. Based on rigorous research by top public sector researchers, this edited collection offers a multitude of future research ideas to enable those interested in following this pathway—whether they are in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States of America, Africa or anywhere else in the world—an avenue to traverse.

Conventional economic and accounting systems have been exposed by the limitations of market-driven mechanisms, where public services, education and healthcare have been subordinated to profit, exacerbating the inequalities between people and countries. Italy was one of the earliest countries to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and also one of the hardest-hit. The successes and failures of the Italian response provides a blueprint for the factors determining the ability of institutions to meet these challenges. This book presents a multifaceted analysis and reflection of the challenges that various types of organisations - public, private and non-profit - have had to face during the pandemic. It contributes to the creation of robust strategies for institutions worldwide to be able to respond promptly and equitably to future emergencies and offers insights for developing policy and practice, with respect to global leaders’ accountability for and management of exceptional events. It addresses three main subjects: extraordinary events and their challenges for business and organisations; the nature and roles of interdisciplinary accounting and accountability in a pandemic environment; and how the global pandemic is impacting accounting and accountability in diverse contexts, such as public services, healthcare, education, and NGOs. With a focus on institutional approaches to establishing, maintaining and discharging accountability throughout the pandemic, the insights of this book are invaluable to both students and practitioners seeking to bolster institutional resilience in an increasingly uncertain world. Both management and accounting communities can learn from this extraordinary global event to promote the process of transforming how business and societies operate.

This Handbook provides a comprehensive study of research, practice and policy at the nexus of accounting and sustainability, or sustainable development. Chapters explain key drivers of developments at the nexus, critique those developments, summarise the findings of research on key themes in the field, and suggest areas for further research, offering evidence-based practice and policy solutions.