The aim of the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) program is to provide research training in a manner that fosters the development of independent research skills in candidates. On completion of the period of research, the student should possess the ability to formulate a significant problem, mastery of appropriate conceptual and methodological frameworks, and the capacity for articulate and critical analysis. The MPhil thesis provides evidence of significant research as the culmination of 1.5-2 years full-time equivalent study and research training. We pride ourselves on hosting some of Australia’s leading accounting researchers who have earned a large number of prestigious awards, competitive research grants and fellowships. With an outstanding reputation, we work closely with industry, commerce and the accounting profession. Information in Capital Markets This area focuses on: The production and use of information in capital markets including the production and dissemination of information by management of firms; Use of information for advanced financial statement analysis with application to areas such as credit and equity analyses and merger and acquisitions; Use of produced information for forecasting and valuation of companies; Corporate governance issues associated with information production and dissemination in capital markets; The efficiency and effectiveness of accounting, and statutory and stock exchange regulations for information production and dissemination in capital markets; Accounting Measurement and Disclosure This area focuses on: Public financial reporting and voluntary disclosure including but not limited to accounting standard setting and disclosure regulation processes; Content and implementation questions associated with accounting standards; Specific expertise in questions relating to IFRS adoption and contracting implications including debt contracting; Specific expertise in accounting measurement and disclosure issues relating to intangible investments and technological innovation processes; Specific expertise in accounting measurement and disclosure issues relating to corporate, environmental and sustainability; Specific expertise in the area of disclosure under the ASX (Australian Stock Exchange) and statutory regulated continuous disclosure regime; Control Systems and Performance This area focuses on understanding the design of management control systems and their relation with performance in organisations. The management control system research encompasses management accounting systems including budgets, planning, variance analyses, and forecasting; but also more broadly all the systems rules, activities and evaluation that managers use to direct the organizational participants to achieve organizational goals. Managerial Incentives and Corporate Governance This area focuses on issues that relate to understanding and improving the efficacy of corporate governance in firms. Specific areas of research include but not limited to: The determinants and consequences of the board of directors' structure and qualifications, ownership structure, the structure and implications of executive remuneration for specific outcomes such as firm performance, investment and financing decisions;