CPA Australia is offering a research grant of up to $10,000 for research into the area of management accounting to academic accounting researchers based in Australian or New Zealand universities.

The grant is named after Professor William P. Birkett (Bill) and has been established in recognition of his contribution to the profession. Bill Birkett FCPA was a thought leader in accounting education and recognised as an international expert in his field of management accounting. His major work on competency-based standards for professional accountants in Australia and New Zealand is highly regarded and still used around the world. He made a significant contribution to the accounting profession both in Australia and overseas.

Eligibility

1. All applicants must be permanent residents of Australia or New Zealand presently employed at an Australian or New Zealand tertiary institution.
2. All applicants must be CPA Australia members.
3. A grant may be held concurrently with another award or grant (such as ARC Linkage) so long as such funding and details of the project are disclosed.
4. The applicant must be able to supply evidence that tenure at the relevant institution will be sufficient to complete any approved project. To this end, project timelines will have to be within the duration of tenure.
5. Research projects that could form the basis of a Ph.D. dissertation are acceptable, provided they are complete projects within themselves.

General rules

1. A progress report must be made to CPA Australia within six months following receipt of the grant.
2. A final research report is required, normally twelve months after receipt of the grant.
3. Funds will not generally be available for teaching relief.
4. The creative research component is expected to be performed by the grant recipient.
5. Any publication resulting from this research should acknowledge CPA Australia’s funding support.
6. All requested information must be provided by the applicant, as explained under the application procedures, otherwise an application will not be considered by the Selection Committee.

Preparation of funding applications

Proposals for research should be provided as being ready to implement. Consequently, each application must contain clearly outlined objectives of the research and all information required to consider the application without further reference to other documentation or written or oral explanations. It is the responsibility of the chief researcher to ensure that all details of the application have been completed and the signatures of any co-researchers or administrators of the institution have been obtained.

Points to remember in developing an application:

1. GST (whether or not included in total)
2. salary on-costs
3. administration overheads for the research institution
4. ethics approval by the research institution
5. health and safety requirements of the research institution

Funding will not be released until approval for these elements has been obtained as required by the institution or company.

How to apply

Download a copy of the application form.

To apply for the William P. Birkett research grant, send:

• one electronic copy of the application form to researchgrant@cpaaustralia.com.au
• one hard copy with appropriate signatures and supporting documentation to the accreditation and research coordinator

Applications close on 31 August annually.

Selection committee

1. The selection committee will comprise four members (at least two representatives of the Board of Directors and the remainder to be academics).
2. Awards will be made in light of the quality of the applications received. In any year the selection committee is not obliged to award any grants.
3. The chairperson of the selection committee will submit a brief report each year to Board of Directors.
4. Decisions of the selection committee will be final. No correspondence or discussion will be entered into concerning any aspect of the awards.

Selection criteria

Primary criteria for selection:

1. the potential for advancing research in management accounting
2. a well-defined topic
3. the feasibility of the project having regard to its scope and methodology, including completion on a timely basis
4. the availability of adequate support within the department
5. the appropriateness of the budget
6. the overall quality of the submission

Use of funds

Funds provided for research will normally be paid to a researcher’s university, institution or company which will disburse funds to the researcher.

Ineligible uses of funds

It is not the policy of CPA Australia to allow use of grants or scholarships or to cover:

1. administration costs associated with the unit disbursing the funds to the researcher
2. costs associated with attending academic or professional conferences or presentations directly or indirectly associated with any research project
3. ongoing subscriptions to academic or professional journals, popular magazines or similar publications
4. publication charges
5. running or maintenance of equipment

Variation of project

CPA Australia provides funding based upon the details provided in the application. Requests for a variation in the project will be considered after the grantee provides a written application for variation outlining the proposed changes, justification for the changes and any alteration to budgeting.

If after consultation with the grantee CPA Australia does not agree to the changes the original grant may be forfeited.

Reporting on project progress

The grantee will be required to provide ongoing reports on the progress of the project, in regard to both the research and research budget according to the milestones agreed within the original contract. Failure to achieve milestones will be discussed with the researcher and appropriate remedial action taken.

Management and negotiation of contracts

CPA Australia is aware that the acceptance of research grants often rests with the institution rather than the chief researcher. CPA Australia requires researchers to conform with the policies and procedures of the individual institution for acceptance of research grants.

It will be the responsibility of the chief researcher to inform the appropriate individuals or groups within the institution to ensure the funding process conforms with the regulations of that institution.

Privacy statement

CPA Australia is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal information which it holds about you.

The personal information which you provide us with in your application will be used by CPA Australia to process and assess your application.

If you do not provide us with this personal information, we will be unable to process your application.

CPA Australia may disclose the personal information which you provide us with to external service providers to whom we have contracted out functions, such as: 

• a selection committee solely for the purposes stated above
• external service providers to whom we have contracted out functions, such as printers and mailing houses, but only for the purposes of processing your application

You have the right to access any personal information which CPA Australia holds about you, subject to exceptions any privacy legislature. You may also request the correction of information which is inaccurate. Access and / or correction requests can be made at any local CPA Australia office.

For further information view CPA Australia's Privacy policy.