Report 2003: Department of Accounting and Auditing (RR)
Department of Accounting and Auditing (RR): Research Report 2003
The Department of Accounting and Auditing conducts research and courses in the disciplines of corporate management control, external accounts and auditing. The Department aims to be a recognised research institution which provides research-based study programmes at the highest level, presents research results and acts as a recognised partner in a national and international context.
Highlights 2003
- In 2003, the Department started working with researchers from Aston Business School (England) and Queens University (Ireland) to identify transnational opportunities and problems involved in the use of modern integrated management information systems (ERP/SEM) for economic reporting, control and management.
- Prior to the negotiations between the Danish government and Dansk Undergrunds Consortium (DUC) concerning an extension of A.P. Moller’s concession for hydrocarbon extraction in the North Sea, the Department was commissioned by the Danish Ministry of Economics and Business Affairs (the Danish Energy Agency) to perform a profitability analysis of the A.P. Moller companies in the Danish North Sea sector from 1962 to 2001.
- The Department contributed to the Danish Institute of State Authorized Public Accountants publication: ”Fagligt notat om den statsautoriserede revisors arbejde i forbindelse med værdiansættelse af virksomheder og virksomhedsandele” (Technical memo on the work performed by state-authorised public accountants when assessing enterprises and shares of enterprises). Thus, Department research in these fields is incorporated in assessments of enterprises in practice.
Academic profile
A number of different theories contribute with elements to clarify the development in the three Department disciplines, i.e. Corporate Management Control, External Accounting and Auditing. These theories range from economic theory and derived agent theory and information theory approaches to institutional theory and corporate management theories as well as sociological and political science theories on human and organisational behaviour.
Corporate Management Control
Corporate Management Control deals with issues concerning the development and use of registration and management systems in various types of enterprises, including measuring and noise problems in connection with the registration and use of financial and non-financial key figures. Department research in corporate management control concentrates mainly on management control and business formats, new management control tools and IT-based management information systems.
Corporate Management Control deals with issues concerning the development and use of registration and management systems in various types of enterprises, including measuring and noise problems in connection with the registration and use of financial and non-financial key figures. Department research in corporate management control concentrates mainly on management control and business formats, new management control tools and IT-based management information systems.
External accounting
With regard to external accounting, the Department deals with theories, models and methods concerning external financial reporting, application of accounting information by users and financial markets, national and international accounting regulation and accounting practices. Research in external accounting primarily concentrates on theoretic development of new models, concepts, types of reporting, etc., stock market-based accounting research and analytical descriptive studies of Danish accounting conventions, mainly in listed companies, and Danish and international accounting regulation. Recent Department research includes the study of the correlation between corporate governance and accounting, e.g. in relation to accounting-based remuneration and external reporting, including new accounting procedures.
With regard to external accounting, the Department deals with theories, models and methods concerning external financial reporting, application of accounting information by users and financial markets, national and international accounting regulation and accounting practices. Research in external accounting primarily concentrates on theoretic development of new models, concepts, types of reporting, etc., stock market-based accounting research and analytical descriptive studies of Danish accounting conventions, mainly in listed companies, and Danish and international accounting regulation. Recent Department research includes the study of the correlation between corporate governance and accounting, e.g. in relation to accounting-based remuneration and external reporting, including new accounting procedures.
Auditing
Auditing research includes various aspects in connection with the role of auditing in society, especially (1) accounting regulation, (2) changes in the accountancy profession, and (3) the role of auditors in connection with corporate governance, particularly when evaluating internal control.
Auditing research includes various aspects in connection with the role of auditing in society, especially (1) accounting regulation, (2) changes in the accountancy profession, and (3) the role of auditors in connection with corporate governance, particularly when evaluating internal control.
Research strategy
The overall objective of the Department is to develop and sustain selected profiles to appear as the obvious national centre of research in its three disciplines. This is expressed as follows:
- International publication and research collaboration
Through publication in internationally recognised journals, anthologies, etc., the Department wishes to appear as a recognised research institution in the areas of management control, external accounting and auditing. Furthermore, the Department wishes to consolidate and develop its competence to a level which makes it a visible and interesting partner in international contexts.
- National publication and presentation
It is the objective of the Department to strike a balance between international and national publication rates by also giving the latter high priority. Thus, the Department wishes to influence the academic debate in Denmark by presenting both international research and its own results in a Danish context through articles, textbooks, committee work, etc.
Research results
The Department’s Danish-language production is substantial and is of great relevance to the Danish business community, public authorities, etc. Its strategy of internationalisation, including its ongoing generational change, has not yet been fully implemented in terms of international production. Realising that this is a long and tough process the Department is maintaining its strategy, as the ongoing generational change (and other commitments in this field) is expected to result in a future increase in international publication.
Figure 1
Research relations to practice
It is a Department tradition and policy to play an important part in Denmark in order to promote the dialogue between theory and practice, thereby influencing Danish accounting and management control practices, accounting legislation, the release of new accounting and auditing guidelines, etc. Therefore, the Department is represented in the Accounts Council under the Danish Commerce and Companies Agency and in the Accounts Panel under the Danish Institute of State Authorized Public Accountants. As a result of their research projects, almost all members of the academic staff keep up close contacts with the Danish business community, and their research results are presented in relevant journals and through lectures and educational activities aimed at practice.
Figure 2
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