ARJ – the first 25 years

Table I. ARJ editors 1988-2012 From the outset, the ARJ’s objective has been broad and applied, with the overriding aim of providing “[…] a forum for communication between the profession and academics concerning the research and practice of accounting, finance, auditing, commercial law and cognate disciplines” (McGregor-Lowndes, 1988, p. 2). Topics of published articles ranged from accounting standards to option market efficiency, auditing software usage, taxation policy, company law and directors’ duties, and business ethics. The key aims of the new editorial team were to continue to internationalize the journal by encouraging submissions both within and beyond the Asia-Pacific region, to broaden the areas of coverage to include a more eclectic mix of research papers in accounting, finance, and related disciplines, and to increase the appeal of the journal by introducing a special yearly issue based on a topical subject or conference, on subjects ranging from corporate governance to sustainable finance. Since assuming the joint editorship in 2011 we have continued to promote the integrity of the journal through adopting a policy of using at least two anonymous referees in the manuscript review process. In 2012 we established links with the organisers of the annual Conference on Financial Markets and Corporate Governance through ARJ sponsoring the Overall Best Paper award with a $A1,000 prize awarded to the winning author/s.