Privatization and international convergence seem obvious developments in the business world. But how true is this observation? This book takes a look at the world of accounting and finds that the story is much more intricate. The state does not really disappear: it transforms its role by involving private actors, by reaching out into the international arena, or by setting up new institutions that counteract privatization and internationalization.
This book compares the accounting regulations in Germany, the UK and the US to provide evidence that privatization and convergence must be used with caution, at least in the world of accounting.

PART ONE: TRANSFORMATION OF STATEHOOD IN ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACCOUNTING: THE FRAMEWORK
Accounting: A Socio-Economic View
Transformation of Role Models: Germany, the UK and the US
PART TWO: NEW GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS IN DISCLOSURE
Rise and Fall of the 'Golden Age' Nation State Model
The New Accounting Procedures in Europe: Combining Transnational Standard-Setting and Supranational Rule-Making
The Struggle Between Private and Public: The Case of Stock Exchanges
PART THREE: THE ROLE OF THE NATION STATE IN ENFORCEMENT
The Nation State Interlude in Auditing: From Private Arrangements to Transnational Governance
The Stronghold of the Nation State: Enforcement Agencies
PART FOUR: FORCES OF TRANSFORMATION AND CONVERGENCE: POTENCY AND IMPOTENCE OF THE NATION STATE
The Weakened Nation State: Economic Globalization and Regime Convergence
The Powerful Nation State: Sarbanes-Oxley and the Global Reach of Regulation
PART FIVE: ANALYTICAL SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Convergence Towards Stable Public-Private Collaborations? Summary and Conclusion

JOCHEN ZIMMERMANN is Professor of Accounting at Bremen University, Germany. His research focuses on comparative accounting, studying the institutions and regulation of accounting, accounting practice, the effects of European integration on accounting practice and procedures, and corporate governance.

JÖRG WERNER is Assistant Professor in the Department of Accounting, Bremen, Germany. His work covers corporate governance and international accounting research.

PHILIPP VOLMER is a Research assistant at the Department of Accounting, University of Bremen, Germany. He works in Transaction Services at KPMG, Germany.