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Public services and charities: Accounting, accountability and governance at a time of change

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  • Hyndman, Noel
  • McKillop, Donal

Abstract

This special issue is based on a selection of papers initially presented at the conference on ‘Public Services and Charities: Accounting, Accountability and Governance at a Time of Change’ (Centre for Not-for-profit and Public-sector Research, Queen's University Belfast, January 2017). ‘Public services and charities’ is a distinctive grouping that includes organisations that are not-for-profit and often have wide social and cultural goals that drive mission and actions. These organisations operate in a very fluid environment. Expectations of the public at large and of government are changing; economic pressures bear down on them particularly acutely; performance metrics and a push for marketisation reflect a spirit of the age; ‘business practices’ are frequently afforded a reputation of being ‘good’ and applicable in all settings; while news reporting and social media often amplify any perceived shortcomings. The papers included in this special issue present an opportunity to reflect on some of the key changes taking place with respect to accounting, accountability and governance in this setting. Such opportunities to reflect can support evaluation of the stated objectives of implemented and proposed changes, and also help to inform policy making within government and elsewhere. Key arguments made in these papers, and the overarching themes of this special issue, are explored in this editorial.

Suggested Citation

  • Hyndman, Noel & McKillop, Donal, 2018. "Public services and charities: Accounting, accountability and governance at a time of change," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 143-148.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bracre:v:50:y:2018:i:2:p:143-148
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bar.2018.01.001
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    2. Brown, Paul & Ly, Tuan & Pham, Hannah & Sivabalan, Prabhu, 2020. "Automation and management control in dynamic environments: Managing organisational flexibility and energy efficiency in service sectors," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(2).
    3. Ellie Norris & Shawgat Kutubi & Steven Greenland, 2023. "Cultural accountability in the annual report: The case of First Nations entities in Australia," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(4), pages 4453-4478, December.
    4. David, Sofia & Zinica, Daniel & Bărbuță-Mișu, Nicoleta & Savga, Larisa & Virlanuta, Florina-Oana, 2024. "Public administration managers' and employees' perceptions of adaptability to change under “the future of work” paradigm," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    5. Yasmin, Sofia & Ghafran, Chaudhry & Haslam, Jim, 2021. "Centre-staging beneficiaries in charity accountability: Insights from an Islamic post-secular perspective," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    6. Rouault, Julie & Albertini, Elisabeth, 2022. "Reconciling the social sector with external accountability requirements: Lessons from stewardship theory," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 485-498.
    7. Giacomo Boesso & Fabrizio Cerbioni & Marco Ghitti, 2022. "Strong planners versus weak planners: An analysis of nonprofit organizations," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(2 Suppl.), pages 143-166.
    8. Campanale, Cristina & Cinquini, Lino & Grossi, Giuseppe, 2021. "The role of multiple values in developing management accounting practices in hybrid organisations," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(6).
    9. Rana, Tarek & Cordery, Carolyn J., 2024. "Digitalization as a form of marketization: The performativity of calculative practices in framing and overflowing NGO performance and accountability," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(1).
    10. Giacomo Boesso & Fabrizio Cerbioni & Andrea Menini, 2022. "Does the Adoption of Planning and Control Tools Influence Performance? Opinions of Grantors and Grantees About Non-profit Projects," FINANCIAL REPORTING, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(2), pages 35-55.
    11. Mayapada, Arung Gihna & Biswas, Pallab Kumar & Roberts, Helen, 2024. "Financial reporting timeliness and its determinants in UK charities," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    12. Rana, Tarek & Hoque, Zahirul, 2020. "Institutionalising multiple accountability logics in public services: Insights from Australia," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(4).
    13. Lu Jiao & Graeme Harrison & Jinhua Chen, 2023. "Revenue growth in not‐for‐profit organisations: The effects of interactive and diagnostic controls and organisational culture," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(2), pages 2273-2294, June.

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