Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in the Accounting Profession – An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore the role that accounting skills and accounting qualifications may play in entering fields that have been virtually closed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people. It is acknowledged in the literature that accounting processes and accountants have historically had a domineering and detrimental impact on marginalised groups, such as ATSI peoples. However, we propose an alternative viewpoint using a Bourdieun perspective and theorise that accounting skills and accounting qualifications (capital) can open doors to powerful organisations and institutions (fields). As this is an exploratory study, we have limited our analysis to one key aspect of the Bourdieun framework, namely that of field. To that end, we examine accounting and other organisations that have traditionally closed their doors to marginalised groups in society. Interviews were conducted with ATSI people who have successfully gained entry into the field of the accounting profession, in an effort to understand the experiences and barriers they faced and to investigate the role that accounting skills plays in enabling ATSI people access to fields and decision‐making positions that have traditionally been inaccessible to them.

Accounting Research in Abacus, A&F, AAR, and AJM from 2008–2015: A Review and Research Agenda

“…Future diversity research can also focus on minority groups, which are extremely under‐represented in the accounting field. A promising avenue for future research is to expand upon the study by Lombardi and Cooper (), which investigates the under‐representation of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders in the accounting profession to further understand their experiences, obstacles, and future career opportunities. There is a strong push for diversity in the board room and in the accounting, auditing, and academic fields; if voluntary codes do not achieve the desired outcomes, then mandatory changes may be enforced.…”

Critical success factors in managing sustainable indigenous businesses in Australia

“…Both financial and commercial literacy skills are also required to assist in reducing and (hopefully) preventing exploitation of Indigenous tangible and intangible assets. However, the low number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in accounting roles remains a concern and will continue to have an impact on who controls funding (Lombardi and Cooper, 2015). In this paper, we identified multiple areas to embed the values of First Nation people in financial reporting practices to improve practice and inclusion.…”

“…With accountability, non-Indigenous organisations will have to be accountable to the Elders, First Nation businesses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to ensure the methods adopted are culturally appropriate. With regard to auditing practice, Elders, First Nation businesses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities may wish to adopt auditing roles so as to monitor whether Western organisations and government bodies are consulting and acting in their best interests (Lombardi and Cooper, 2015; Rkein and Norris, 2012). Finally, a central theme arising from this research was the need to measure both financial and commercial literacy competencies as these skills play a critical role in the future sustainability and success of Indigenous businesses.…”

“…We agree that using accounting techniques in a more inclusive way may increase the success and sustainability of Indigenous businesses (Buhr, 2011). In essence, a way forward involves building financial capability of Indigenous peoples to have “greater access to and control over the use of government and other funding, and over reporting requirements” (Lombardi and Cooper, 2015, p. 96).…”

Accounting and First Nations: A Systematic Literature Review and Directions for Future Research

“…Yet there is also potential for accounting research and practice to empower First Nations peoples to engage in the economy on their own terms (Buhr 2011;Lombardi and Cooper 2015). Accounting systems that promote more robust First Nations businesses and organisations will help them to fulfil their role in the empowerment of their communities, providing opportunities for employment and training, the delivery of culturally appropriate services and the protection of sacred places, traditional knowledge and languages (Morrison et al 2014;Hunter 2015;Moran et al 2016;Bodle et al 2018).…”