The 13th Accounting History International Conference

Conference overview

The discipline of accounting at the University of Wollongong boasts a distinguished tradition of supporting research in accounting history, a legacy established through the scholarship and leadership of Professor Michael Gaffikin. The 2026 conference will take place at the University of Wollongong’s picturesque Wollongong campus, renowned for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities.

Accounting through the Ages: Lessons for Modern Challenges

We invite scholars, practitioners, and researchers to contribute to “Accounting through the Ages: Lessons for Modern Challenges.” This conference aims to bridge our rich accounting heritage with contemporary challenges.

An Emerging Scholars’ Colloquium will be held immediately prior to the conference.

Registrations will open in March 2026.

Key dates

Keynote speakers

Professor Daxin Wu

Shandong University of Finance and Economics

Professor Sandra van der Laan

The University of Sydney Business School

Conference details

Key dates

Emerging Scholars’ Colloquium: Date to be confirmed. Held immediately prior to the conference.
Paper submission opens: 1 August, 2025
Paper submission deadline: 20 December, 2025
Emerging Scholars' Colloquium research proposal deadline: 28 February, 2026
Notification of acceptance: 10 March, 2026
Registration opens: 15 March, 2026
Early bird registration ends: 15 April, 2026

Discussion topics

Potential topics to explore include, but are not limited to:

Historical parallels between the introduction of double-entry bookkeeping and modern blockchain
Past resistance to accounting innovations: lessons for adopting new technologies today
Automation in accounting: from mechanisation to digital transformation
Historical accounting failures and their influence on modern standards
Evolution of fraud detection: insights from historical cases for modern forensic accounting
Corporate social reporting through the ages: lessons for current sustainability frameworks
Development of non-financial metrics: historical perspectives on measuring social impact
Evolution of accounting education: historical foundations for future professional development
Gender, diversity, inclusion and equity in accounting: historical barriers and lessons for current challenges
Accounting as a control and surveillance mechanism through history
Colonial influences on accounting systems: implications for modern international standardisation

Call for papers

We invite scholars, practitioners, and researchers to contribute to “Accounting through the ages: Lessons for modern challenges”. While papers will be accepted across the full range of accounting history topics and methodological and theoretical perspectives, authors are encouraged to address topics relevant to the conference theme.

Papers must be written in English, adhere to the Accounting History manuscript style, and be submitted online in Word format by the deadline.

All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer review process. Selected papers aligned with the conference theme will be considered for a special issue of the Accounting History journal.

Submission opens: 1 August 2025
Submission deadline: 20 December 2025
Notification of acceptance: 10 March 2026

Organising Committee

Dr Mona Nikidehaghani

Designated Chair

University of Wollongong

Dr Kevin Huang

Member

University of Wollongong

Professor Lee Moerman

Member

University of Wollongong

Dr Sanja Pupovac

Member

University of Wollongong

Dr Erin Twyford

Member

University of Wollongong

Dr Jenny Wang

Member

University of Wollongong

Conference venue

University of Wollongong

The University of Wollongong (UOW) is situated in the coastal city of Wollongong, just 80km south of Sydney.

Regarded as one of Australia's most beautiful university campuses, UOW Wollongong boasts a stunning location nestled amidst native Australian bushland and offers a vibrant and enriching learning environment.

About the campus

Getting to Wollongong

Sunlit park scene featuring a curved wooden boardwalk beside a tranquil pond, surrounded by lush trees and tropical plants.

Supported by

Host: University of Wollongong

University of Wollongong (UOW) is one of the world's top modern universities, offering excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and an unparalleled student experience.

Accounting History Journal

Accounting History is a specialist, international peer-reviewed journal that encourages critical and interpretative historical research.

Accounting History Special Interest Group

The Accounting History Special Interest Group (AHSIG) of the Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand aims to develop and support accounting history scholars in Australia, New Zealand and beyond who engage in historical accounting research and teaching and to attract new scholars to the field.