ACCA has just released two Calls in frames of the ACCA Research Programme on the following topics:

1. The current economic conditions: role and opportunities for the accounting profession

2. International auditing and assurance standards - supporting IFAC’s International Audit and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB).

3. The current economic conditions - roles and opportunities for the accounting profession As part of a wider commitment to demonstrate how an effective global accountancy profession contributes to sustainable global economic development, ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) wishes to commission research with policy and/or practical relevance that addresses the challenges, new roles and opportunities presented to the accounting profession by the current economic conditions. ACCA invites proposals for research projects that address – from a policy and/or practice perspective – one or more of the important issues outlined below. The projects are expected to start in January 2010 and be completed within twelve months.
   Proposals will be considered from applicants based anywhere in the world. Please note that the scope of this Call is deliberately wide. The issues outlined below represent only a selection of problems uncovered by the current economic conditions, and are merely examples of issues that could be explored. In other words, this is not intended as an exhaustive list. Valuation, estimation and decision-making Examining whether the challenges posed to the value of accounting and risk management information due to the uncertainty associated with imperfect measurement are real or merely theoretical problems. Using accounts Examining how accounts influence decision-making by various stakeholders and whether any aspects of accounting (such as use of fair value) lead to sub-optimal decisions. Role of audits Examining what is the role of audit, what is the level of satisfaction with audits, and to what extent users of accounts rely on the assurance given in audit reports when making decisions. Risk management and behavioural aspects of making decisions ACCA additionally welcomes proposals that consider accounting-related aspects of risk management and the behavioural aspects of making business decisions. Research in this area could examine whether risk management as practiced by most organisations takes account of culture, human nature or motivation; why, if so, it is a neglected area, and whether there are any good examples of risk management practice that could be replicated. ACCA expects to support up to three internationally-focused research projects from the maximum of GBP50,000 equivalent set aside for this initiative. The deadline for research proposals is GMT 12 midnight on 23 August 2009. Full details are given in the Call, attached.

4. International auditing and assurance standards - supporting IFAC’s International Audit and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB). ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and the International Association for Accounting Education and Research (IAAER) are pleased to invite research proposals to support the work of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB). The call promotes and supports research directed at developing theory and evidence to inform the IAASB’s decision process. Up to five research grants each of GB￡20,000 equivalent will be awarded under the programme. Proposals are welcome from research teams domiciled anywhere in the world. Additionally, proposals are encouraged from research teams whose members are from different regions of the world. Proposals addressing: (i) the implications of financial reporting and other trends and developments on auditing, (ii) conceptual aspects of assurance standards, or (iii) international adoption and implementation of International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) are especially welcome.
   A selection of topics of interest within these three broad issues is provided in the Call itself, but please note that this is not intended as an exhaustive list. Funded projects will be showcased at three events involving representatives from the IAASB as well as renowned researchers specialising in the area of audit and assurance. The grants will be paid in three instalments and may be applied to cover travel costs associated with attending programme events and/or direct costs associated with the research. The deadline for submission of preliminary submissions is 15th September 2009. Full details are given in the Call, attached.