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Through qualitative analysis of a dozen semi-structured interviews, this study identifies the issues that limit the ability of accounting education programmes to prepare students for the workplace in Libya, a country in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Factors include: faculty's lack of practical experience; weak links with the profession; a traditional curriculum; teacher-centred pedagogy; traditional forms of assessment; the number and quality of students; limited or outdated resources; and poor physical infrastructure. As a study of the preparation of students for the workplace in a developing country, which takes account of both faculty and practitioner views, this paper also contributes to the limited literature on accounting education in Libya. Considering the findings through the lens of institutional theory concepts leads to recommendations for options that are likely to be relevant not only to Libya but also to the wider MENA region and other developing countries.

Financial scenario modelling appears to offer the potential to help universities cope with an uncertain funding environment. By means of a questionnaire survey of UK universities, supported by interviews with members of finance departments, this paper explores the prevalence and construction of financial models used for scenario analysis. According to the findings, most universities undertake such modelling; but a minority do not, even though it is officially required. There is some variation in the purposes for which the models are constructed and in the sophistication of the approaches taken, but the overall impression is of a relatively straightforward approach, with spreadsheets generally viewed as having sufficient functionality to meet current strategic needs. There is no appetite for a standard template to be imposed or even offered by the funding councils. Sharing experience is likely to be a more welcome approach if growing pressures prompt finance departments to strengthen their modelling.

Universities face an uncertain funding environment and turbulent marketplace. Financial scenario modelling offers a potential mechanism to assist in navigating a way forward. Our previous paper on UK universities' practice found some variation in the sophistication of the approaches taken, but the overall impression was of a relatively simple approach, with spreadsheets generally viewed as having sufficient functionality to meet current strategic needs. This subsequent paper offers guidance on the construction of financial scenario models. It addresses the key variables that universities may wish to include, and it offers advice on how models might be formulated and evolve. The characteristics of differing approaches taken by universities in meeting their own scenario modelling requirements are explored by identifying three forms of model: basic, intermediate and advanced. The contribution of this paper is to enable universities, in the UK and beyond, to evaluate and improve their own financial scenario modelling practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between board gender diversity, the presence of environmental committees and corporate environmental disclosure (CED). Using 1130 firm‐year observations of 113 firms listed across five sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) stock markets from 2010 to 2019, we find that the extent of CED in SSA is low compared with developed countries. However, panel quantile regression analysis reveals that the presence of women directors is positively associated with CED, and the relationship is contingent on the presence of an environmental committee. The study makes three principal contributions: It adds to the limited literature on the relationship between board gender diversity and CED, where virtually all previous studies have been conducted in developed countries; it is the first to examine the direct relationship between environmental committees and CED in the developing world; and, most importantly, it is the first study to examine the possible moderating influence of environmental committees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growth in corporate environmental disclosure (CED) across the world, there remains considerable heterogeneity in the extent to which firms disclose their environmental impacts. To better understand these changes and variations, we identify possible macro‐level determinants of CED. Drawing on institutional theory, we examine the influence of country‐level governance (CLG) upon CED amongst the non‐financial sectors in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Descriptive findings obtained using a cross‐country sample of 500 firm‐year observations suggest that CED is still in its infancy in the region. Nevertheless, the data confirm an increasing trend in environmental information published in GCC companies' annual reports, but with notable differences between countries. Using measures derived from the World Governance Index (WGI), we examine the extent to which three CLG factors – voice and accountability (VA), government effectiveness (GE) and control of corruption (CC) – explain the patterns observed. We employ a panel data approach with various robustness checks and find that the association of VA with CED is insignificant or significantly positive, depending on the statistical method used, whereas GE is positively related to CED, and CC is – contrary to our expectation – negatively associated with CED. Our study contributes to the literature by providing a picture of CED in the GCC region and adding to the understanding of macro‐level determinants of CED. Suggestions for future research and for policy and practice are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The standing challenge that ethics represents for accountants and their representative professional bodies is presented. The view of accounting as a profession is examined and a position that recognizes both the potential benefits of professionalization and self-serving tendencies is contended. Insights on three versions of a professional body are also discussed.

A paper focusing on the teaching of business ethics as part of the management accounting education curricula is presented. Most of the business schools in the UK do not incorporate business ethics as part of the curricula.