Joint Annual Conference of the CF&AP SIG and NAG 2026

The Corporate Finance and Asset Pricing SIG and the Northern Area Group are holding a joint annual conference on 14 September 2026 at the University of Bradford Management School, Contributions from all areas of finance are invited for the conference. The conference's overarching theme is: ‘Sustainable Accounting and Finance in the Age of AI’.

This conference seeks to bring together scholars, doctoral researchers and practitioners in the fields of accounting and finance to share innovative research and ideas on how our disciplines can address pressing global challenges. With the world facing unprecedented issues such as digital innovation, climate change, economic inequality, geopolitical instability, and technological disruption, we hold pivotal roles in creating sustainable solutions. We welcome theoretical, empirical, and interdisciplinary contributions from all areas of accounting and finance. Submissions from doctoral researchers and early career academics are particularly encouraged. Submissions may encompass a broad range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Sustainability, ESG, and accountability: sustainability reporting and disclosure; ESG measurement and assurance; carbon accounting and climate reporting; transparency and accountability; related governance and institutional issues.
• Artificial intelligence and digital transformation in accounting and finance: AI, machine learning, and big data in accounting and finance; Applications in reporting, auditing, forecasting, and decision-making; automation and human–AI interaction; data governance and transparency.
• Financial markets and asset pricing: climate risk and asset pricing; Information processing and market efficiency; behavioural and institutional perspectives; AI-driven trading and analytics.
• Market microstructure and liquidity dynamics: the effects of emerging technologies and regulatory changes on market liquidity.
• Corporate finance, Behavioural finance and decision-making: investment and financing decisions; innovation and resource allocation; the impact of behavioural factors on sustainability decision-making; data-driven and AI-enabled decision-making.
• Auditing, assurance, and financial integrity: audit quality and assurance; financial reporting integrity; fraud detection and risk assessment; digital audit processes and emerging technologies.
• Governance, ethics, and accountability: corporate governance and oversight; ethical challenges in accounting and finance; algorithmic bias and transparency; responsible use of AI and data.
• Interdisciplinary and critical perspectives: social/organisational implications of accounting and finance; inequality and inclusion; critical perspectives on ESG and digitalisation; cross-disciplinary research.
• Global crises and financial accountability: impact of geopolitical conflicts and global crises on financial systems and accounting practice.

The conference is featured by a keynote speech, parallel sessions, poster sessions, and a meet-the-editor session. Each paper will be assigned a dedicated discussant to ensure authors receive constructive feedback.

Keynote Speaker

Noel O'Sullivan, Professor of Accounting, University of Loughborough Noel will talk on: “Modern Boards: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Future of Governance”.

Meet-the-Editor Session

• Charlie Cai, Joint Editor, British Accounting Review
• Jia Liu, Editor, International Journal of Finance and Economics
• Andrew Stark, Senior Editor, Journal of Business Finance and Accounting

Parallel Sessions and Discussants

Each accepted paper will be assigned a dedicated discussant to ensure authors receive constructive feedback. We consider this feedback an integral aspect of the conference, aimed at supporting authors in enhancing the quality and impact of their research. To promote this collaborative learning environment, presenters will be expected to take on the role of discussants for other submissions.

Paper Submission Procedure

Deadline: 25 August 2026 6 September 2026

We welcome submissions at various stages of development, including extended abstracts, early stage working papers and fully developed papers. We offer scholars the chance to showcase their work during a poster session (A3).

Please follow the link to submit your paper: Paper Submission

Review and Acceptance

Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a prompt decision on your submission within one week of your submission to facilitate timely participation. We encourage early submissions to secure your spot in the programme and benefit from constructive feedback on your presentation.

Key Dates

• Registration opens: 30 June 2026
• Extended Deadline for submission: 25 August 2026  6 September 2026
• Notification of acceptance: 31 August 2026
• Registration deadline: 10 September 2026

Further Submission Information

Once accepted and not later than 5 September 2026, full papers should be sent to the local conference organiser: S.Akbar10@bradford.ac.uk. These will be distributed to the discussant(s) for review prior to the conference. Discussants will present their comments to the authors during the conference session.

Registration

FEES

Academics and practitioners: £80,
PhD Students (full time): £50
Conference Dinner: £35

The conference fee is inclusive of buffet lunches and tea, coffee and refreshments. The conference dinner will take place at 18:00 in MyLahore in Bradford.

Registration is via your BAFA Membership Account:

Please note: You must be a member of BAFA to attend this event. You are able to register as a member via the link: https://www.bafa.ac.uk/membership/

PhD Grants

The organising committee offers a number of grants to support PhD students attending the conference. Applicants are required to submit proof of full-time student status by 31 August 2026. Each awarded grant will cover £50 of the registration fee.

Enquiries and Contacts

For enquiries about conference-related matters, please contact Professor Saeed Akbar at: S.Akbar10@bradford.ac.uk

For enquiries about BAFA please contact Professor Jia Liu at: cfap-sig@bafa.ac.uk.

Travel and accommodation information

Th University of Bradford postal address and post code is: Richmond Road, Bradford, BD7 1DP, United Kingdom. This address can be used in navigation.

Travel by Car: University of Bradford is 7 miles from M62.

Travel by Train: Delegates can travel by train to Bradford interchange from any train station in the UK. University of Bradford is about 1.2 miles.

Travel by Air: The closest Airport is Bradford-Leeds Airport which is about 8 miles from the University of Bradford. Delegates can also travel through Manchester Airport which is about 50 miles away from the University of Bradford.

Travel by Coach: Delegates can travel in National Express Coach Service which is based in the Bradford Interchange Bus Station.

Some nearby Hotels are:

1. Leonardo Hotel Bradford (0.7 miles)

2 Thornton Road, Bradford, BD1 2DH, United Kingdom.

2. Midland Hotel Bradford (0.9 miles) Forster Square, Bradford, BD1 4HU, United Kingdom

3. Great Victoria Hotel (1.2 miles) Bridge Street, Bradford, BD1 1JX, United

4. Holiday Inn Express Bradford City Centre by IHG (1.2 miles) The Leisure Exchange, Vicar Lane, Bradford, BD1 5LD, United Kingdom

5. Cambridge Hotel Bradford Central (1.3 miles) Prince Court, Canal Road, Bradford, BD1 4SJ, United Kingdom

Conference Organising Committee

Jia Liu, University of Portsmouth

Saeed Akbar, University of Bradford

Andrew Stark, University of Manchester

Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, University of Huddersfield

Charlie Cai, University of Liverpool

Zhangfan Cao, University of Nottingham Ningbo China

Jing Li, University of Bradford

Giray Gozgor, University of Bradford

Hamid Uddin, University of Bradford

Rexford Attah-Boakye, University of Bradford

Irfan Saleem, University of Bradford

Thang Ho, University of Bradford

Muhammad Asad, University of Bradford

Syed Zubair Shah, University of Bradford

Qi Zhu, Central China University