CRAFiC Research Seminar: Creative accounting or creative accountability? with Dr Janet Mack

This research seminar is hosted by the Centre for Research into Accounting and Finance in Context (CRAFiC) at Sheffield University Management School.

Speaker

Dr Janet Mack, Queensland University of Technology

Prior to her position at QUT, Dr Mack worked in a variety of roles in both the private and public sector. Janet’s work experience spans the real estate and property industry, private practice, auditing in both the private and public sectors and training community service providers.

In addition to her teaching at QUT, Janet has been involved in curriculum development activities and has supervised or is currently supervising Honours students, Masters students and PhD students. Janet is an active researcher who regularly presents papers at both Australian and International conferences.

Abstract

Despite the increasing attention and emphasis on the importance of accountability, governments worldwide face increasing levels of distrust. This research uses a particular example of an accountability disclosure to investigate why this is the case. In doing so it considers the impact of the accountable self on the exercise of accountability and the limits to accountability and the implications of these for traditional government accountability mechanisms. This research concludes that too much emphasis has been placed on public accountability as a neutral activity with very little attention given to the constraints that both individuals and organizations face in discharging accountability. Consequently, governments and the citizenry need to revisit the way in which their accountability relationship is satisfied.

Programme and room

• 12.30pm-1pm: A light lunch will be served in the Courtyard Cafe
• 1pm-2pm: Seminar in meeting rooms 1&2 (E Floor)