AAR in New Publishing Partnership

Abstract

This issue of Australian Accounting Review, the first published under the banner of a partnership between CPA Australia and Wiley Blackwell Ltd, represents a significant milestone in AAR's journey to the space it occupies at the intersection of academe, the profession and business, in which contemporary issues are raised and debated. AAR's vision is to contribute to policy debates and to influence practice through publishing articles grounded in incisive scholarship that provide insights into issues of the day. The journal's strengths are the calibre of its articles (which pass through a double-blind review process), its readability and its reputation as the pre-eminent journal of its kind. The move to Blackwell Publishing is expected to significantly increase web-based access to the journal and also submissions. AAR will become better known internationally, and its focus may change slightly. However, it will remain a journal with a focus on matters of concern to our three major constituents and our geographical area. AAR was first published in 1991. It is timely at this stage in AAR's journey to acknowledge the contribution of many to its success. CPA Australia had the foresight to run with the idea of supporting an academic-based journal of interest and relevance to its members, and to accountants, business people and scholars. The Discipline of Accounting at The University of Sydney has also supported AAR over a number of years. The journal has gained international recognition in recent years, with several published articles winning awards in the Articles of Merit Competition conducted annually by the International Federation of Accountants' Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee. The presence of Professor Philip Brown as the journal's inaugural Chair of the Management Board gave AAR immediate credibility in the academic community, and encouraged other senior academics to write for the journal. Indeed, virtually all of Australia's most respected academics have had articles published in AAR. In addition, Philip was the creative force behind the development of the themed forums that have become a feature of AAR, and also, subsequently, of many other journals. Professors Murray Wells and Roger Simnett and AAR board members have also been instrumental in the journal's evolution. Having internationally recognised supporters is important for any journal, and AAR has been fortunate in its choice of board members and referees— the unsung guardians and shapers of its evolution and reputation. Many board members have submitted articles to celebrate what is essentially a relaunch of AAR. Some of these articles appear in this issue. Others will be published in subsequent issues. AAR is also indebted to its authors, who have covered the spectrum of the Australian, New Zealand and the wider academic community. Also, the journal has attempted to foster the work of junior academics by providing encouragement and assistance through what can be a daunting process for novices. Authors have sometimes responded with gritted teeth, but have responded nevertheless—and have been rewarded by having their work published. Finally, a big thank-you is owed to John Hoffmann and Lesley Walter. John has been the journal's content editor since its inception. Lesley has been the editorial assistant for a number of years. AAR would be the poorer without these two dedicated and efficient behind-the-scenes operators.