We research and teach all aspects of accounting. A key focus of our work explores sustainability reporting and governance. Our research has real-world impact globally.
We focus on research, education, and business collaborations. Sustainable practices and corporate governance are at the heart of our activities.
Our work contributes to academia, public policy and industry in the UK and around the globe. We carry out interdisciplinary research based on diverse sets of data, theories, empirics and methodologies. It is informed by a range of disciplines from corporate governance, economics and history, to law, management and organisational behaviour. Our strengths include:
corporate governance
corporate sustainability
financial accounting and reporting
market-based accounting
non-financial and narrative disclosure
management accounting
auditing and assurance
Other areas we research are:
corporate finance
human capital accounting
Islamic accounting and finance
tax avoidance
hybrid organisations and NGOs
accounting education and history
emerging technologies in accounting and finance
The impact of our research includes leading the process of developing a national corporate governance code for Ghana. The 2021 Research Excellence Framework commended our work supporting Ugandan businesses for its commitment to sustainability.
We design and deliver a range of postgraduate and undergraduate degrees. We continuously improve our courses to align with industry standards and the latest research. Our graduates leave us with a blend of academic rigour and practical skills, ready to enter the business world. All of our programmes are accredited. We’re ranked in the top 150 accounting and finance departments in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).
We have strong industry connections and partner with businesses to guide and support their sustainability reporting. Our team includes sustainability professionals certified by the Global Reporting Initiative.
Join our department and help shape the future of accounting, finance and corporate culture.
Students discuss a group project.
Research impact
Our research explores broad and diverse issues in accounting. We’re published in leading UK and international journals and generate real-world impact for wider society. Our researchers have been invited to give keynote speeches at high-level policy events around the world and to appear as expert witnesses by the UK Parliamentary Treasury Select Committee. Members of our department also feature in the World’s Top 2% Scientists over consecutive years, as compiled by the Elsevier Data Repository and Standford University.
We consult with government departments, regulators and standard setting bodies, and professional accounting organisations including:
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)
International Accounting Standard Board (IASB)
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Public policy impact
We contribute to the development of accounting and sustainability reporting standards, corporate governance and auditing standards, and other public policies.
Our public engagement work includes consultation and evidence-based reporting in areas such as:
mandatory climate-related financial disclosures, working with the BEIS
International Financial Reporting Standards Sustainability Disclosure Taxonomy, working with the ISSB
research and development tax reliefs, working with HMRC
preventing abuse of research and development tax relief for small and medium-sized enterprises, working with HMRC
the UK statutory audit market, working with the CMA and the BEIS
Other research work includes:
working with the IASB on the standard setting process in unrecognised goodwill
engaging with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, the Competition and Markets Authority, BEIS and ICAEW on regulatory reforms for corporate governance and audit quality in the UK and EU
Grant-funded research impact
Examples include:
development of a National Code of Corporate Governance for Ghana
women at the board and their role in leading organisations in Indonesia
the use of management mccounting techniques in the public hospitals in china
joint provision of audit and non-audit services
review of the quality of audit reports in the UK
role and effectiveness of audit committees in UK higher education institutions
governance and risk disclosure practices in UK higher education institutions
responsible investment, living wage accreditation and climate change engagement
governance of social housing, tenant welfare and activism, and housing on boat in the UK
role of philanthropical organisation in Indonesia during Covid-19 Pandemic debt covenants
sustainability reporting of small and medium-sized enterprises
public financial management, fiscal transparency and public accountability: lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic
Our research funders include the ESRC, the Financial Reporting Council, the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the British Academy, ICAEW, CIMA, the Chartered Institute of Taxation and KPMG.
Enterprise and knowledge exchange
Our relationships with businesses and organisations benefit students, staff and partners alike. Collaborating is also a great way for us to create positive impact on society and the environment. Recent examples include a sustainability reporting project and an accountancy competition for students.
Student and staff sustainability reporting project
We are working with a group of small and medium-sized enterprises, charities and not-for-profit organisations to help them implement sustainable practices and report their progress transparently.
Through workshops, seminars, and hands-on training, participants make decisions to benefit the environment. The project is helping organisations make financial savings and increases their long-term economic viability.
Our students and staff benefit by learning from real-world challenges and gathering valuable research data.
Accountancy competition for students
Some of our students took part in the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales's (ICAEW) Southern Intra-University Competition.
Sponsored by accountancy firm PwC, the competition gave students the chance to use strategic thinking, financial decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving in a real-world scenario.
Equality and diversity
We are proud to contribute towards the University’s equality, diversity and inclusion policy.
At 45% we have a high proportion of gender diversity within our staff profile. We are also committed to maintaining greater diversity across our departmental administrative roles.
Accreditations
Our courses are accredited by these organisations:
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Association of MBAs (AMBA)
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
Association of International Accountants (AIA)
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accounting (CIPFA)
We are a department of excellence in education, research and knowledge exchange and enterprise. As a diverse community we thrive on collaborative and creative partnerships and embrace collegiality and inclusion.
My research on sustainability reporting has resulted in a REF 2021 research impact case in Uganda and the development of a model for academics and students to help SMEs prepare sustainability reports internationally.
I have over sixty published journal articles which have followed from initial doctoral funding successes in the UK's ESRC. My work is interdisciplinary across accounting, finance and management.
