20^th XBRL International Conference:  “XBRL:  Linking Businesses, Public Regulators & Citizens” hosted by XBRL Italy

Academic Track:  “Celebrating a Decade of Contributions to XBRL by Academics around the world: Where do we go from here?”

The academic community has been involved in the XBRL initiative since the inception of the standard, a decade ago. Academics have contributed to the development of the standard and to the study of its implementation, adoption and to the study of a variety of technical and socio-technical aspects of XBRL. Areas studied by academics include taxonomy quality, assurance, adoption issues, enterprise systems integration, corporate governance and XBRL, and the use of XBRL data to improve decision making in the information value chain.

Nevertheless, there are still many unanswered research questions/hypotheses such as exploring channels where XBRL could be leveraged to illustrate the value proposition to both preparers and users of business information, thereby speeding adoption worldwide.

At its early stages of development XBRL promised faster, better, cheaper and more reliable business reporting, and now we are about to have enough XBRL data to evaluate these propositions. Although unavailability of XBRL data has been a major challenge for academic researchers to engage in empirical research evaluating contributions of XBRL, XBRL data is now becoming more available around the world as we see more volunteer and mandatory regulatory filings, XBRL GL applications for internal reporting, and adoption of Standard Business Reporting.

Goals for the Academic Track

1.         One major goal of this track is to explore research opportunities with XBRL data and examine the extent to which XBRL has achieved its initial goals.

2.         Secondly, an equally interesting aim is to explore what are new or unintended uses of XBRL reporting that have benefited (will benefit) users of business information supply chain, for example: sustainability reporting, corporate governance, and risk assessment and internal controls, just to name a few.

3.         Last but not least, another objective of the track is to explore the prospects of XBRL in the public sector: as we can foresee that the implementation of the new language could represent a giant leap for the financial reporting of public bodies, especially in terms of a better awareness of public expenditure and a timely way to evaluate and control both the effectiveness and efficiency of government agencies.

Why should you  participate?

The academic track at the 20^th XBRL International Conference provides a platform for academics from around the world to present their established research projects and new research ideas. The academic track allows academics to receive feedback from the professional XBRL community and, in turn, inform the broader XBRL community.

How can you participate?
Papers and extended abstracts are sought for this academic track. Papers are welcome on ANY aspect of XBRL technology, adoption, and application. Outlines of proposed research projects and early stage research are particularly welcome. Proposals should be submitted to one of the following track co-chairs, Professor Saeed Roohani, sroohani@bryant.edu or Professor Andrea Fradeani a.fradeani@unimc.it by January 31, 2010.

Where and When will the Conference be held?
Sheraton Conference Centre - Rome, Italy
20-22 April 2010

Full details of the 20^th XBRL International Conference will be available soon at http://conference.xbrl.org/.

Track Chairs:

Saeed Roohani is Professor of Accounting at Bryant University, teaches Corporate Governance in the 21^st Century, Accounting Information Systems, and Financial Accounting courses. He has published over 30 articles, he is on Editorial Board of three journals, Guest Editor of International Journal of E-Business Research 2010 issue, edited a research monograph funded by PricewaterhouseCoopers Trust and Data Assurances in Capital Markets: The Role of Technology Solutions; Program Administrator of annual Global XBRL Academic Competition, Moderated XBRL Research Opportunity Forum that is sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers. His research area includes financial reporting supply chain; corporate governance; synergy between IT and accounting and auditing; XBRL and International Financial Reporting Standards, and forensic accounting. He has been consultant to Financial Accounting Foundation- SEC US GAAP Taxonomy project, engaged in initial AACSB accreditation and reaccreditations at Bryant University, and founding Director of PricewaterhouseCoopers Accounting Careers Leadership Institute at Bryant University. He often supervises PhD students working on XBRL research from other countries.

Andrea Fradeani is Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Macerata, he teaches courses on Business Administration, Financial Accounting, and International Financial Reporting Standards. He has published two monographs and several articles related to XBRL. His research area includes: Financial Accounting and Corporate Reporting; International Financial Reporting Standards; Internal and External Audit; XBRL and Reporting Information Systems. He is the Italian member of Fédération des Experts Comptables Européens (FEE) XBRL Task Force and one of the promoters of the Working Group on XBRL and Continuous Audit of the Italian Academy of Business Administration and Management (AIDEA).