PAN AFRICAN FEDERATION OF ACCOUNTANTS (PAFA) and AFRICAN ACCOUNTING & FINANCE ASSOCIATION (AAFA) 2017 AFRICA CALL FOR RESEARCH PAPERS INITIATIVE.

PREAMBLE
One of the strategic goals of the Pan Africa Federation of Accountants (PAFA) is to develop [and engage in] global knowledge and solutions on issues that will impact the economy, society and the profession (thought
Leadership). To achieve this goal, PAFA plans to partner with accountancy academics in Africa Universities to conduct research on emerging issues. As a first phase, PAFA is collaborating with African Accounting & Finance Association (AAFA) to implement the 2017 Africa call for research papers initiative. The African Accounting and Finance Association (AAFA) is coordinating this initiative as a platform for emerging and established scholars with a passion for research in Africa to support their research goals and contribute towards the development and advancement of accounting knowledge. Specifically, this partnership will benefit both Academics and the accountancy profession in Africa. It will increase the profile, capacity, and performance of African University academics, as outstanding research papers will be published and used by PAFA at national, regional, and global levels to influence policy and standard setting.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INITIATIVE
The initiative is to develop high-quality empirical, conceptual or theoretical research on emerging trends for use by the accountancy profession to enhance their contribution and support to African economies in their quest towards attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative seeks to advance knowledge on accounting and/or financial practices in Africa, and via appropriate dissemination, inform and influence policy and thinking at national and continental levels.

AWARDS
Researchers are invited to apply for the research awards by following the process noted below. The top three winners will each receive a cash reward of USD 2, 000 and be invited to present their findings to key decision and policy makers at the 4th Africa Congress of Accountants in Uganda, May 2017. In addition, the fourth and fifth place winners will each receive financial awards of USD 1, 000 and their research papers published.

ELIGIBILITY AND CONDITIONS
In order to be eligible to participate applicants need to fulfill certain criteria among those listed below:

Must be a resident in Africa;
Must demonstrate capabilities to conduct and complete quality policy based research.
Be available to attend the 4th African Congress of Accountants scheduled to be held in Kampala, Uganda in May 2017 to present their papers if selected among the top three papers.
Must be in a position to submit their complete papers not later than 15th March 2017 if their abstract, referred to in the application process below, is selected.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and are able to fulfill the conditions stated above can apply by submitting a structured abstract of not more than 500 words before 20th January, 2017 to conference@aafassociation.com and copied to olayinkamoses@gmail.com with 2017 Africa call for research papers initiative as the subject of the email. The abstract should focus on one of the thematic areas noted below. For guidance on writing a structured abstract please refer to the resource by Emerald Publishing http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/authors/guides/write/abstracts.htm?part=2
The Selection Committee will review the abstracts and inform successful researchers by 31st January 2017 in order for them to prepare the detailed research papers.

THEMATIC AREAS
Research is invited on the following critical corporate governance and accounting emerging thematic areas:

The role of the accountancy profession in contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The future of the accountancy profession.
Domestic resources mobilization: The role of the accountancy profession.
Technology in the accountancy profession  opportunities and challenges.
Youth  the driving force of the accountancy profession.
Illicit financial flows - ethical dilemma for accountants.
The future of corporate reporting in monitoring Sustainable Development Goals.
Social auditing.
Governance challenges and opportunities in education and health sectors.
Financial Disruptions  challenges and opportunities for the accountancy profession.
Intra-trade in professional accountancy services in Africa  barriers and opportunities.
Professional accountancy organizations, governance Structure, and policy framework.
Impact of government accounting reforms- the case for achieving SDGs.
Professional ethics and standards in attaining SDGs.
Sustainability accounting, reporting and assurance.

DEADLINE AND IMPORTANT DATES
20th January, 2017 Deadline for submission of abstracts.
31st January, 2017 Announcement of top ten successful applicants.
15st March, 2017 Deadline for submission of complete papers by selected applicants

31st March, 2017 Announcement of the five top prize paper winners.
15th April, 2017 Deadline for submission of corrected version of Top papers.
2nd  4th, May Presentation of Top three at ACOA

NOTE:
There will be no extension of deadlines and late submissions will not be allowed.

CONATACT
Olayinka Moses: olayinkamoses@gmail.com |AAFA Secretariat Manager: info@aafassociation.com