MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING RESEARCH GROUP (MARG) conference in association with the MANAGEMENT CONTROL ASSOCIATION

The Management Accounting Research Group (MARG) invites submissions for its 40th annual conference, bringing together scholars and practitioners interested in the evolving role of management accounting and control in organisations and society.

Over four decades, the MARG conference has established itself as an important forum for the exchange of innovative research ideas, emerging theoretical perspectives, and practice relevant insights within the management accounting research community. The conference attracts scholars from across the UK, Europe, and internationally, providing an inclusive and collegial environment in which researchers at all career stages can present and develop their work.

Conference Theme: Management accounting in liminality: Innovation, Behaviour, Sustainability and Accountability

For the 2026 conference, we invite extended abstract or full paper submissions aligned with one of the following broad thematic areas. We especially wish to encourage participants to present on one of these themes, with a keynote speaker or panel member chairing a parallel session on each theme:

• Accounting and innovation – may include topics such as accounting for innovation, digitalisation, and role of calculative practices in shaping organisational strategy and value creation
• Behavioural dynamics of management control systems – may include performance management, motivation and incentives and leadership and culture in control systems
• Sustainability, integrated reporting and governance – may include ESG disclosure, sustainability performance measurement, governance mechanisms supporting sustainable organisational practices
• Management control, accountability and organisational complexity – may include performance measurement in complex organisations, accountability structures in professional and hybrid institutions, management control in social housing, healthcare and public services, and control system change in evolving organisational contexts

Plenary Speakers & Panel Members (confirmed so far)

• Dr Kelum Jayasinghe, Professor, Sheffield University Management School
• Dr Jan Pfister, Associate Professor, Turku School of Economics, Finland
• Dr Irma Malafronte, Reader, University of Roehampton, London
• Dr Janet Mack, Reader, Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham

Research in various stages of development may be presented. PhD-students and early career researchers are particularly encouraged to present their work. Business school scholars (whether on research contracts or not) are encouraged to participate in workshop sessions, panel discussions and presentations.

Important Dates

• Submissions open: May 2026
• Extended Abstract / Full paper submission deadline: 15 September 2026
• Review notification: 30 September 2026
• Presenter registration deadline: 15 October 2026
• Final PPT files: 31 October 2026

Please submit to: https://www.conftool.com/marg2026

Sway Information page: https://sway.cloud.microsoft/rwD0d5KPEtSExaPX

Organising Committee

MARG Organising Committee: Professor Teerooven Soobaroyen, Dr Mohit Dar, Dr Salman Ahmed, Richard Kenyon, Dr Carlene Wynter, Dr Christina Neokleous, Dr Melina Manochin (Birmingham), Dr Mahmoud Elmarzouky (St Andrews).

MCA Liaison: Dr Chris Ford (Lancaster University)

Enquiries: marg2026@aston.ac.uk