Public Sector and Not-For-Profit Accounting Special Interest Group

AIMS

The Special Interest Groups (SIGs) of AFAANZ provide a valuable service to members through the recognition and facilitation of the special interests of members. The mission of the Public Sector and Not-for-Profit (PSNFPA) is to provide services to members that enhance the interaction among those with common specialist interests to assist in the fulfilment of the mission of AFAANZ.

Members of the PSNFPA comprise experienced and well-published academics, early and mid-career academics and higher degree research students. Members include those with interests in all aspects of accounting, accountability, auditing, governance, and performance management in public and not-for-profit sectors.

The aims of the public sector and not-for-profit accounting (PSNFPA) Special Interest Group are:

•  To facilitate research by its members into public sector and not-for-profit accounting via peer review of research grants applications.

• To provide services to members that enhance interaction among those with public sector and not-for-profit interests through face-to-face meetings, e-mails, electronic publications and other activities.

• To provide research development and academic support to members through peer review of their working papers for journal submissions.

• To help establish links with academics, practitioners and institutions, locally and internationally, with similar interests.

• To assist the AFAANZ annual doctoral colloquium initiative by encouraging public sector and not-for-profit HDR students to attend the AFAANZ colloquium.

• To do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above aims.

AFAANZ 2026 Public Sector and Not-for-Profit Accounting Interest Group (SIG 6)

Theme: Beyond Financial Statements: The Expanding Landscape of Public and NFP Reporting

Venue: Pullman Albert Park Hotel, Melbourne, Australia
Date: Sunday 5 July 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm

Call for Abstracts

The Public Sector and Not-for-Profit Accounting Interest Group (SIG 6) invites submissions for research presentations exploring the evolving landscape of reporting in the public and not-for-profit (NFP) sectors.

While financial statements remain central to accountability, organisations are increasingly expected to communicate a broader picture of their performance, impact, and sustainability. Emerging reporting practices now include service performance reporting, impact and outcomes reporting, sustainability disclosures, and other forms of non-financial information. These developments raise important questions for research, policy, and professional practice.

This SIG session aims to bring together researchers, standard setters, and practitioners to discuss how reporting frameworks are evolving and how research can inform future developments in public sector and NFP accountability.

We welcome abstracts that address topics including, but not limited to:

• Service performance reporting and impact measurement
• Integration of financial and non-financial information
• Sustainability and ESG disclosures in the public and NFP sectors
• Accountability, transparency, and stakeholder trust
• Comparative reporting frameworks across jurisdictions (e.g., Australia, New Zealand, UK)
• Assurance and audit of non-financial information
• Implementation challenges for organisations and regulators
• The role of research in informing reporting standards and policy development

Both empirical and conceptual research are welcome. Early-stage research, policy-oriented work, and interdisciplinary approaches are also encouraged.

Submission Details

Interested persons are invited to submit an abstract of up to 250 words to Dr Ushi Ghoorah (SIG 6 Chair) at: ushi.gh@westernsydney.edu.au

Submission deadline: 30 April 2026
Notification of acceptance: 10 May 2026

Accepted presenters will be invited to prepare a short research presentation (10–12 minutes) as part of the SIG program.

Forum

Each year the SIG holds a forum prior to the AFAANZ Conference. The SIG Annual General Meeting is held at the conclusion of the Forum. 

Elected Officers

Contact

For more information on the Public Sector and Not-for-Profit (PSNFPA)SIG please contact Ushi Ghoorah at ushi.gh@westernsydney.edu.au

MEMBERSHIP

To become a member of the Public Sector and Not-for-Profit (PSNFPA) Special Interest Group you will first need to become a member of AFAANZ. The fee for AFAANZ membership is AU$148.50 including GST for applicants residing in Australia and AU$135 for applicants residing outside Australia. Note that membership is based on a calendar year.

The fee for the Public Sector and Not-for-Profit (PSNFPA) Special Interest Group is AU$22 including GST for applicants residing in Australia and AU$20 for applicants residing outside Australia.