Call for Manuscripts
The History, Roles, and Development of Public Accounts Committees: A Global Perspective

Over the recent decade, the public sector of most countries has undergone substantial reforms centred on the emergence of new public management ideas, improvement of accountability and governance, efficiency, and effectiveness. Our understanding of how the Public Accounts Committees on government entities function to strengthen public accountability, financial scrutiny and good governance worldwide is limited. This research-based edited collection of chapters explores the rationales for current roles of the Public Accounts Committees using a number of case studies from different nations across the world. It will draw from a wide range of nations from Africa, Asia, Pacific islands, and Europe with both Westminster and non-Westminster models of government. We believe chapters from these countries on the role of the Public Accounts Committees will identify important issues pertinent to those interested in public sector accounting, accountability and governance. The Editor welcomes submission of manuscripts addressing any aspects of public accounts committees and their relationships with other government entities such as the Auditor-General's Office. The idea of this book is to establish a dialogue - a bridge of ideas - between public sector accounting academics and the public sector practitioners and consultants. Consequently submissions from both academics and practitioners/consultants are welcomed.

All submitted manuscript will be peer reviewed on an expedite basis to facilitate prompt publication. Manuscripts currently under consideration by another book or other publisher should not be submitted. The book will be published in 2013 by an international publisher in association with the Centre for Public Sector Governance, Accountability and Performance of La Trobe University, Australia ( http://www.latrobe.edu.au/cpsgap).

MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION: In order to have consistency across all chapters, contributors should note the following guidelines for submitting manuscripts:
- Abstract: Authors must supply an abstract set-out under the following sub-headings: Purpose, Methodology/approach, Findings, Implications/Limitations, and the Originality/Value.
- Keywords: 3-5 keywords which encapsulate the principle topics of the article.
- Introduction: A precise explanation of what this chapter is about and why it is important and interesting should be stated. It should contain (a) a general overview of public sector accountability and governance and the role of public accounts committee therein; (b) Definition of terms (if any); and (c) structure of the chapter.
- Context and background: For a country specific case study, this section briefly outlines the legal, social and political context of the country within which the public accounts committee operates.
- Methodology: What data were collected, when and how they were collected and how did you analyse them to explain your findings. If you use a theory, justify its use by explaining how your chapter fits in.
- Findings: A presentation of your research material. This section should cover PAC authority structure, membership, authority for powers, roles, reporting and follow up, annual report to Parliament on its own performance, PAC Relationships with the Auditor General/Audit Office, PAC resources, PAC Meetings and related issues, etc.
- Discussion and conclusion: An analysis of your findings showing the contribution to knowledge and pointing out any weaknesses/limitations. A description of the main lessons to be learned from your chapter and what future research should be conducted.
- References: A detailed, alphabetical list of the sources from which information has been obtained and which have been cited in the text (see below for style guides).
- Appendices: Detailed data referred to but not shown elsewhere.

PAPER SUBMISSION PROCEDURE: Please submit your proposal with a copy of your CV to Professor Zahirul Hoque via email to z.hoque@latrobe.edu.au. As a guide, article should normally be between 6,000 and 10,000 words in length and should be in MS WORD. The deadline for submission is 15 February 2013 and notifications of acceptance by 25 October 2013. Full contact details of the Editor can be found at: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/cpsgap