Name
Financial Reporting, Accountability, and Governance in Vocational Education and Training Organisations: A Review of the Literature
Date & Time
Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 8:30 AM - 8:55 AM
Description

This study provides a comprehensive overview of financial reporting, governance, and accountability in vocational education and training (VET) organisations. Following a systematic review approach this research analyses 72 peer reviewed journal articles published between the 1970s and 2026 across accounting, education, and public administration research domain. The literature indicates that financial reporting has become central to governance and accountability in VET contexts. The review synthesises how prior research conceptualises the purposes, mechanisms, and effects of reporting and accountability in publicly funded and regulated training environments. Three major themes emerge from the existing literature: first concerns financial reporting for funding and regulatory accountability, second focuses on governance and oversight structures that shape reporting practices and third highlights challenges related to compliance burden, transparency, and the usefulness of reported information for stakeholders. The review also identifies existing research gaps in the organisation-level and ownership structure of VET organisations.In particular, there is limited evidence on how reporting operates across different types of VET organisations and how accountability systems interact with their educational roles. Overall, the review consolidates a dispersed body of knowledge and clarifies what is known about financial reporting, governance, and accountability in VET organisations.

Srabonti Ashrafi
Keywords
Vocational education and training (VET); financial reporting; accountability; governance; regulatory oversight; public sector education.
Theme
CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES
Author 1
Srabonti Ashrafi
Author 2
Shawgat S. Kutubi
Author 3
Mai Nguyen