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Roles, Authority and Involvement of the Management Accounting Function: A Multiple Case-study Perspective

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  • Caroline Lambert
  • Samuel Sponem

Abstract

Recent techniques and shifts in the environment are often viewed as leading management accountants to adopt a business orientation. However, empirical evidence pointing to clear shifts in the role played by management accountants remains relatively scarce. From in-depth qualitative research based on 73 interviews in ten multinational companies, we identify four distinct styles of management accounting function: discrete, safeguarding, partner, and omnipotent. We show that each style can be associated with one main role: discrete control of managerial behaviour, socialisation of managers, facilitation of decision-making, and centralisation of power. From this in-depth analysis of management accountants' styles and roles we move on to discuss the authority they hold and the independence/involvement dilemma they face.

Suggested Citation

  • Caroline Lambert & Samuel Sponem, 2012. "Roles, Authority and Involvement of the Management Accounting Function: A Multiple Case-study Perspective," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(3), pages 565-589, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:euract:v:21:y:2012:i:3:p:565-589
    DOI: 10.1080/09638180.2011.629415
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    Cited by:

    1. Christine Weigel & Klaus Derfuss & Martin R. W. Hiebl, 2023. "Financial managers and organizational ambidexterity in the German Mittelstand: the moderating role of strategy involvement," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 569-605, February.
    2. Ala-Heikkilä, Virpi & Lämsä, Anna-Maija & Järvenpää, Marko, 2024. "Management accountants—A gendered image," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    3. Cristina Campanale, 2023. "La contabilit? analitica nelle societ? pubbliche di servizi. Un caso di studio," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2023(2), pages 213-236.
    4. Timur Pasch, 2019. "Strategy and innovation: the mediating role of management accountants and management accounting systems’ use," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 213-246, July.
    5. Robalo, Rui C. & Moreira, José António, 2020. "The influence of power strategies in AIS implementation processes," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    6. Sundström, Andreas, 2024. "AI in management control: Emergent forms, practices, and infrastructures," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    7. Utz Schäffer, 2013. "Management accounting research in Germany: from splendid isolation to being part of the international community," Metrika: International Journal for Theoretical and Applied Statistics, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 291-309, February.
    8. Bo Karlsson & Anders Hersinger & Monika Kurkkio, 2019. "Hybrid accountants in the age of the business partner: exploring institutional drivers in a mining company," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 185-211, July.
    9. Daff, Lyn & Parker, Lee D., 2021. "A conceptual model of accountants' communication inside not-for-profit organisations," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(3).
    10. repec:dau:papers:123456789/14570 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Christoph Endenich & Rouven Trapp, 2020. "Ethical Implications of Management Accounting and Control: A Systematic Review of the Contributions from the Journal of Business Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 163(2), pages 309-328, May.
    12. Goretzki, Lukas & Messner, Martin, 2019. "Backstage and frontstage interactions in management accountants' identity work," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 1-20.
    13. Rautiainen, Antti & Scapens, Robert W. & Järvenpää, Marko & Auvinen, Tommi & Sajasalo, Pasi, 2024. "Towards fluid role identity of management accountants: A case study of a Finnish bank," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(4).
    14. Tabea Franziska Hirth-Goebel & Barbara E. Weißenberger, 2019. "Management accountants and ethical dilemmas: How to promote ethical intention?," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 30(3), pages 287-322, October.
    15. Florence Cavelius & Christoph Endenich & Adrian Zicari, 2018. "L'Impact De La Digitalisation Sur Le Role Du Controleur De Gestion," Post-Print hal-01907810, HAL.

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