CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR THE ICPAU 1^ST RESEARCH CONFERENCE, 14 NOVEMBER 2025

• 1.0 Background

  The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) is the national professional accountancy organisation established by the Act of Parliament, Accountants Act, Cap 294. The functions of ICPAU as mandated by the Act are:

  1. To regulate and maintain the standard of accountancy in Uganda, and
  2. To prescribe and regulate the conduct of accountants and practicing accountants in Uganda.

  ICPAU is delighted to announce its inaugural Research Conference (ICPAU-RC 2025), which will be held on 14th November 2025 in Kampala.

  The theme for this year’s conference is: “Strengthening Accountability, Sustainability, and Professionalism through Evidence-Based Research.”

  In line with this theme, the Institute invites researchers, practitioners, and students to submit their abstracts by 30th August 2025. Authors of accepted abstracts will be required to submit their full research papers by 30th September 2025.

• 2.0 Scope of Abstracts

  The abstracts should be based on the following:

  1. Thematic areas of the conference;
  • Sustainability and ESG Reporting
  • Public Finance Management and Accountability
  • Taxation and Economic Policy
  • Future of the Accounting Profession
  • Organizational Financial Sustainability
  • AI and Accountancy profession
  2. All the research indicated in the abstracts must have been finalised after 2020
  3. Abstracts must be submitted by the authors. Abstracts of co-authored papers must be submitted by the Principal Investigator

• 3.0 Objectives of the Conference

  The Conference is a flagship event that will bring together accounting professionals, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss critical issues affecting the accountancy profession and broader economic issues in Uganda and the East African region. Going forward (or from this conference onwards), ICPAU will seek to host high-profile conferences to encourage evidence-based decision-making, research-driven reforms, and innovation within the accountancy and public finance management sectors.

  The conference will serve as a platform for disseminating original research findings, particularly in areas such as: Financial reporting and corporate governance, Public finance management and accountability, Taxation and fiscal policy, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, Digital transformation in finance and audit, and Ethics and professional standards. A conference of this calibre will be held for the first time by ICPAU and there after, it will be organised annually. The conference features research paper presentations, keynote addresses by distinguished experts, panel discussions, and policy dialogues that will bridge academia and practice. The outcomes will inform ICPAU’s technical guidance, regulatory reforms, and training content, contributing significantly to national development goals and the strengthening of Uganda’s financial systems.

  By fostering a culture of research and innovation, the conference will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the accounting profession, promoting transparency, and improving financial accountability across both public and private sectors.

• 4.0 Objectives of the Research Conference

  1. To promote a research culture within the accountancy profession
  2. To provide a platform for dissemination and publication of accountancy research findings
  3. To bridge the gap between academia and practice
  4. To inform national policy and professional standards development
  5. To encourage innovation and thought leadership
  6. To support national development goals and economic transformation
  7. To build capacity among young and emerging researchers

• 5.0 Benefits for Participating Researchers at the Conference

  1. Knowledge sharing and researcher visibility
  2. Peer review and feedback
  3. Networking opportunities
  4. Contribution to policy and practice
  5. Professional recognition and awards
  6. Capacity building in research
  7. Publication opportunities
  8. Inspiration for further research

• 6.0 How will ICPAU Utilize Research Papers Presented at the Conference

  1. To advocate for sound financial, tax, and governance policies by engaging with government agencies, regulators, and development partners.
  2. To contribute to the development and refinement of accounting standards, audit practices, and ethical guidelines tailored to Uganda’s context and aligned with international best practices.
  3. To integrate relevant research findings into its training curricula and continuing professional development (CPD) courses, and to ensure that members are equipped with current knowledge and skills.
  4. Suitable papers will be published in ICPAU’s research journal, bulletins, and other suitable media to enhance access to locally relevant, evidence-based knowledge.
  5. To shape its internal strategies, align its goals with national development priorities (e.g., Uganda Vision 2040, NDP III), and respond proactively to emerging trends in the accounting profession.
  6. To identify knowledge gaps and promote follow-up research as part of the Institute’s research agenda based on conference discussions.
• Link to apply