Keeping Capital Markets Efficient: A National Strategy on the Future of Auditing. The lack of confidence in the reliability of financial statement information is costly to the Australian capital market. The auditing profession is also struggling to attract and retain skilled professionals, which can erode audit quality. Using a rigorous research design to understand business community expectations and concerns, this project will provide a national forum that informs and directs responsible natio ....Keeping Capital Markets Efficient: A National Strategy on the Future of Auditing. The lack of confidence in the reliability of financial statement information is costly to the Australian capital market. The auditing profession is also struggling to attract and retain skilled professionals, which can erode audit quality. Using a rigorous research design to understand business community expectations and concerns, this project will provide a national forum that informs and directs responsible national strategy to ensure that high quality audit services are procured by corporate Australia. Improved audit quality will have the effect of improving the efficiency and attractiveness of the Australian capital market and address the skill shortage in auditing. Read moreRead less
Developing a Model for the Evaluation of Australian Public Private Partnerships. The primary aim of this research project is to improve the long-term evaluation of Australian Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). Growing commitments by governments to the use of PPPs to deliver infrastructure-based services have created an urgent need for the development of evaluation systems to ensure that PPPs deliver efficiency and effectiveness for taxpayers as claimed. Further there is a need to ensure that th ....Developing a Model for the Evaluation of Australian Public Private Partnerships. The primary aim of this research project is to improve the long-term evaluation of Australian Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). Growing commitments by governments to the use of PPPs to deliver infrastructure-based services have created an urgent need for the development of evaluation systems to ensure that PPPs deliver efficiency and effectiveness for taxpayers as claimed. Further there is a need to ensure that the quality of welfare-based services is not diminished through the use of PPPs.
A key outcome of this research is the development of a theoretically and empirically based post project evaluation model, developed with full support from key stakeholders, including Auditors-General and Public Accounts Committees.Read moreRead less
The role of Activity-based costing within the Defence Forces. The aim of the research project is to enhance understanding of the implementation processes involved in the effective application of Activity-based Cost Management (ABCM) within Defence Organizations. A framework is developed that draws on organizational theories as they relate to behavioral implementation factors and change management. The research proposes that the beneficial effects of ABCM require attention to behavioral and org ....The role of Activity-based costing within the Defence Forces. The aim of the research project is to enhance understanding of the implementation processes involved in the effective application of Activity-based Cost Management (ABCM) within Defence Organizations. A framework is developed that draws on organizational theories as they relate to behavioral implementation factors and change management. The research proposes that the beneficial effects of ABCM require attention to behavioral and organizational factors during the early stages of implementation. Attention to several of these factors provides the basis to overcome resistance to change in early implementation, while attention to others ensures sustained development and acceptance of ABCM.Read moreRead less
Strategic Resource Management in the Twenty-First Century: an Australian Perspective. Strategic resource management (SRM) is evolving rapidly due to the information revolution. Much is claimed for 'good' SRM but there is little hard evidence to support these claims. This project will develop theoretical frameworks to codify the multi-disciplinary nature of SRM, empirically gather data on SRM practices by questionnaire and interview surveys, benchmark firms and identify exemplars of best practi ....Strategic Resource Management in the Twenty-First Century: an Australian Perspective. Strategic resource management (SRM) is evolving rapidly due to the information revolution. Much is claimed for 'good' SRM but there is little hard evidence to support these claims. This project will develop theoretical frameworks to codify the multi-disciplinary nature of SRM, empirically gather data on SRM practices by questionnaire and interview surveys, benchmark firms and identify exemplars of best practice. The results of the research will be published annually in a monograph for dissemination to Australian senior management. Significant findings will be published in academic journals.Read moreRead less
Developing a Resource Allocation Framework to support more effective police investigations of major crime. The project addresses National Research Priority 4: Safeguarding Australia. This priority has a goal to protect Australia from terrorism and crime. Improving resource allocation decisions will enable police resources to be more effective in detecting and preventing crime. The project addresses the goal of all police agencies to reduce crime by enhancing the capability to manage resources mo ....Developing a Resource Allocation Framework to support more effective police investigations of major crime. The project addresses National Research Priority 4: Safeguarding Australia. This priority has a goal to protect Australia from terrorism and crime. Improving resource allocation decisions will enable police resources to be more effective in detecting and preventing crime. The project addresses the goal of all police agencies to reduce crime by enhancing the capability to manage resources more efficiently and effectively. This requires a more innovative culture that uses the available management information intelligently to make better (in terms of outcomes) resource allocation decisions. Read moreRead less
Enhancing integrated reporting: implications for internal and external reporting and assurance. There is an increasing global demand for companies to prepare integrated reports that includes both financial and nonfinancial information. This project uses a multidisciplinary approach to provide evidence on the claimed benefits of integrated reporting to inform the development of an international integrated reporting and assurance framework.
Climate Risk Disclosure: Developing Measures for Best Practice . This project aims to investigate how firms should disclose the impact of climate-related risk on financial statements, the contribution of their own activities to climate risk and a best practice set of quantifiable metrics that can be assured by auditors. The aims will be achieved through surveys of chief financial officers and auditors and generation of input-output models at the firm level. The outcomes will benefit accountants ....Climate Risk Disclosure: Developing Measures for Best Practice . This project aims to investigate how firms should disclose the impact of climate-related risk on financial statements, the contribution of their own activities to climate risk and a best practice set of quantifiable metrics that can be assured by auditors. The aims will be achieved through surveys of chief financial officers and auditors and generation of input-output models at the firm level. The outcomes will benefit accountants and auditors who calibrate these impacts, and regulators such as the Australian Accounting Standards Board and Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, in developing accounting disclosure and auditing standards. It is vital to investors, insurers and governments for efficient resource allocation and planning. Read moreRead less
Improving the Credibility of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Disclosures. There is increasing demand for disclosures about greenhouse gas emissions around the world, and a desire to improve their credibility. This study will provide insights into the types of reporting and assurance that can be provided. In addition, it will examine the extent to which users are influenced by the greenhouse gas disclosures and assurance provided. As such, this research will provide an important knowledge base in determ ....Improving the Credibility of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Disclosures. There is increasing demand for disclosures about greenhouse gas emissions around the world, and a desire to improve their credibility. This study will provide insights into the types of reporting and assurance that can be provided. In addition, it will examine the extent to which users are influenced by the greenhouse gas disclosures and assurance provided. As such, this research will provide an important knowledge base in determining the appropriate focus of future reporting and assurance in this area. It is expected that this research will inform the development of an international and Australian assurance standard on greenhouse gas emissions.Read moreRead less
The reliability of corporate reporting of greenhouse gas estimates: Determinants, consequences, training for accountants and policy Initiatives. Fundamental to the successful re-allocation of resources to address climate change is that greenhouse gas estimates reported by firms are reliable. The first outcome from this research is the development of tools to assist and train the Australian accountancy profession in the estimation of reliable emissions. The second outcome is identification of fac ....The reliability of corporate reporting of greenhouse gas estimates: Determinants, consequences, training for accountants and policy Initiatives. Fundamental to the successful re-allocation of resources to address climate change is that greenhouse gas estimates reported by firms are reliable. The first outcome from this research is the development of tools to assist and train the Australian accountancy profession in the estimation of reliable emissions. The second outcome is identification of factors associated with the inaccuracy and bias of greenhouse gas emissions reported by companies and the consequences of the inaccuracies for the share market's valuation of emission liabilities. These research findings will identify issues that need to be addressed by regulators to ensure that the greenhouse gas estimates reported by companies are reliable.Read moreRead less
Analysis of the financial circumstances of local governments, to assess viability, and improve planning, resource allocation and accountability. The project aims to (a) develop a framework for improved reporting by local government, through a critical analysis of AAS 27 and extant legislative guidelines; (b) assess the financial viability of existing local government units; (c) identify units which may be candidates for amalgamation. Outcomes will include (i) proposals to enhance NSW's pioneer ....Analysis of the financial circumstances of local governments, to assess viability, and improve planning, resource allocation and accountability. The project aims to (a) develop a framework for improved reporting by local government, through a critical analysis of AAS 27 and extant legislative guidelines; (b) assess the financial viability of existing local government units; (c) identify units which may be candidates for amalgamation. Outcomes will include (i) proposals to enhance NSW's pioneering provisions for infrastructure reporting, contained in the NSW Local Government Act 1993 and accompanying guidelines; (ii) a pioneering assessment of the financial circumstances of local government units, having regard to the projected costs of upgrading legacy infrastructure; (iii) development of a framework for assessing future funding needs. Read moreRead less