No abstract

Small accounting practices (SAP), most of which are sole principals, are an important part of the accounting profession and the Australian economy. This exploratory study identifies issues and challenges experienced by small accounting principals in Far North Queensland, Australia. The findings generally correspond with previous research, ranking staffing and keeping up to date through professional development as key areas of concern, and also highlighting the expectation gap between SAP principals and their clients. Stress emerged as a major concern for principals, and new areas of possible conflict of interests were uncovered. A number of potential areas for future research, including comparative studies in city and suburban areas, have been identified.

No abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of context specific issues and challenges facing small accounting practices (SAPs) in Australian regional and rural centres. It is argued that these firms face a dynamic and continuously changing environment which requires strategic responses on the part of SAP owners. The paper explores how SAPs accommodate and respond to their contextual environment, and in turn, shape that environment.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a qualitative case study research approach involving the review and analysis of the prior literature and relevant archival documents, and semi‐structured interviews with the key SAP owner/managers.FindingsThe findings suggest that SAPs adopt innovative strategies and structures. The SAPs in this study were generally found to be resilient and dynamic in responding to the changes in their contextual environment. Significant differences between SAPs were also found, particularly on how they addressed contextual uncertainties.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a case study research on SAPs in rural and regional centres. Any generalization of the conclusions from this study should be undertaken with care, even though there are similarities between SAPs operating in rural and regional centres and those operating in large metropolitan areas.Originality/valueThis paper makes an important contribution by highlighting the SAPs' responses depending on their contextual environment.

Using dialectical social theory, this study explains the reasons behind formation of a network in accounting profession, a knowledge-intensive industry, in a regional context.The study addresses issues such as the structure and choice of appropriate members for the network, the constitution and maintenance of relationship among members on an ongoing basis, contradictions, conflicts and tensions within the network. Given the 'fragmented and disjointed' nature of the literature on inter-organisational relations and networks, this study attempts to answer some of the frequently asked questions on networks within the accounting industry, with a view to arriving at a more comprehensive theory on inter-firm relationships.