Evidence on the relationship between controller profiles and controlling practices based on the Global Management Accounting Principles
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5380/rcc.18.101144Keywords:
Controllership, Global Management Acoounting Principles, Upper Echelon Theory, Profire ControllerAbstract
This study aims to analyze the profile of professionals working as controllers and the use of management accounting practices in organizations in light of the Global Management Accounting Principles (GMAP). The applied research collected data through an electronic questionnaire with 54 questions, administered to a sample of 97 controllers from Brazilian companies. The results show that regarding the professional profile, the majority are male, aged between 31 and 41 years. Most respondents (59.78%) have more than 11 years of experience in the role, 52.06% hold a degree in accounting, and 80.39% have completed postgraduate studies. Additionally, 70.10% are fluent in English, and 39.18% are fluent in Spanish. Among the management accounting practices, the most prevalent were the dissemination of strategic reports to stakeholders (88.65%) and open communication regarding organizational performance (84.60%). The controllers’ skills were predominantly technical (65.95%), and the most applied principle was that “information is relevant” (96,89%). From the perspective of Upper Echelons Theory (UET), it was found that although the controllers’ profiles are experienced and qualified (age, education, experience), their practices are predominantly focused on control and processing functions, with less emphasis on strategic activities.
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