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The Crucial Role of Accounting in Meeting Organisational, Stakeholder, and Societal Needs in Complex Operating Environments

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The accounting function plays a crucial role in supporting decision-making processes within complex operating environments. However, the accounting profession is subject to significant challenges due to the ever-evolving business environment, technological advancements, and increasing incidences of accounting fraud. In recent years, new technology trends such as AI, big data, machine learning, and NLP have revolutionised the accounting profession, enabling accountants to generate insights, uncover trends, and plan effectively (Heller, 2022) . However, the rapid pace of technological advancements also creates challenges for accountants, who must continually update their skills and knowledge to keep up with the latest developments. The fast and unpredictable changes in the business environment also pose a significant challenge for the accounting function. Business models and strategies are constantly evolving, and companies must remain flexible and adaptable to remain competitive. The ac
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The Context and Purpose of Accounting

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The accounting function plays a critical role in meeting the needs and expectations of organisations, stakeholders, and society as a whole. The context and purpose of the accounting function can be understood by considering the various users of accounting information and their information needs. Internal  Management: Accounting information provides significant support to management in the planning, control, and decision-making process. Additionally, management requires accounting information to assess the performance and position of the organisation and implement appropriate measures to enhance business outcomes. Furthermore, accounting information is beneficial in enabling managers to perform their responsibilities effectively (Siddiqui, 2015). Employees: Employees utilise accounting information to evaluate the financial well-being, sales volume, and profitability of the organisation in order to assess their job security, future pay and benefits, and potential for career advancement (
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The Constraints of Regulations and Ethics to the Function of Accounting

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Regulatory requirements in accounting include both accounting laws and regulations as well as accounting standards in order to reduce risks and mistakes. In the UK, The Companies Act 2006 is the primary legislation governing the conduct of companies and the preparation and presentation of their financial statements in the UK (Gov.uk, 2023). The Act outlines the legal framework for the preparation of financial statements, the duties and responsibilities of company directors, and the rules for the conduct of audits of those financial statements. Under the Act, companies must prepare annual financial statements that comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the UK. GAAP provides a set of standards and guidelines that govern the preparation, presentation, and disclosure of financial information. Compliance with GAAP is essential for ensuring that financial statements are reliable, transparent, and comparable. Moreover, The Companies (Audit, Investigations, and Communit
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The Purpose of the Accounting Function within an Organisation

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  Purpose and Scope of Accounting The purpose of accounting is to record, measure, and communicate financial information about an organisation to various stakeholders such as internal (owners, employees, etc) and external (investors, customers, etc), it helps businesses manage their finances, measure performance, make informed decisions, and comply with regulatory requirements (Powell, 2020).  The scope of accounting in organisations is broad and covers a range of activities, including financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, tax accounting, forensic accounting, and accounting information systems (Singh, 2020).  The Branches of Accounting The branches of accounting can be broadly classified into two categories: Financial accounting: This branch of accounting focuses on the preparation and presentation of financial statements for external users, such as investors, creditors, and regulatory bodies. Financial accounting involves the recording of financial transactions, prep
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