2007 in Retrospect at the Journal

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• “Why haven’t you published an article recently on (fill in the blank)?”
• “How long should an article be?”
• “What topics are you interested in?”
• “What criteria do you use when deciding whether to publish a manuscript?”
• “Does the Journal publish articles authored only by Society members?”

The following overview of the Journal’s submission process answers these and other common questions.

Overview

Now completing its 77th year of publication, The CPA Journal is a submission-based, double-blind peer-reviewed publication that is published monthly with special themes during the year on technology and personal financial planning. Articles may include technical analysis, policy analysis, and informed commentary. The content and length of an article determine whether it will appear as an In Focus article, or in the Perspectives or Essentials sections. In Focus articles address areas of general interest. Articles in the Essentials sections cover specific technical topics. The Perspectives section includes news and opinion pieces on matters of importance to CPAs and are usually between 250 and 2,500 words.

The primary areas of interest covered in the Journal are accounting and auditing, taxation, finance, management, responsibilities and leadership, and technology. The editors attempt to balance practical information and conceptual analysis to provide readers with opportunities to enhance their understanding of key issues. We depend on a large cadre of individuals from a diverse cross-section of the profession, including practitioners and academics, NYSSCPA members and non-members, to assist us in providing the best material available for our readers. These individuals may author or review manuscripts. When we ask a reviewer to evaluate a manuscript for possible publication, we use six criteria to ensure quality control: technical accuracy, readability, practicality, relevance of topic, timeliness, and comprehensiveness.

During the Society’s fiscal year between June 1, 2006, and May 31, 2007, the Journal received a total of 297 submissions, as compared to 357 during the previous year. Of those, 162 were eventually accepted, 88 were ultimately rejected, and 10 were withdrawn without a decision being made. Of the 116 submissions returned to authors for revision, 37 are still pending revision at this time. The comparable numbers for the previous year were: 202 accepted, 91 rejected, and 122 returned to authors for revision. The average length of time a manuscript spent in the review process was 55 days (49 last year). The average article took approximately 128 days from acceptance to be published (143 last year).

The overall acceptance rate was 55% (57% last year). Sixty-two percent of the total submissions received were from academic authors, and 38% were from non-academics. While academic authors were responsible for 65% of the accepted manuscripts, non-academics represented 35% of that total.

Acknowledgements

Every year at this time, we take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to the Journal by developing topics, soliciting authors, reviewing submissions, and participating in judging for the annual Max Block Distinguished Article Award program. The editorial board, editors, and production staff are named each month on the masthead. The Editorial Board includes individuals who contribute and review submissions, solicit and develop submissions by others, and advise the editors as we continue to develop the mission and future direction of the magazine. In addition to those hard-working and dedicated individuals, the Journal has also benefited over the past year from the efforts of many members of the Editorial Review Board, upon whom the editors frequently rely for evaluating manuscripts; and ad hoc reviewers, experts whom the editors occasionally ask to review individual manuscripts on a particular subject. The names of Editorial Review Board members and ad hoc reviewers who evaluated manuscripts over the past year are listed in Perspectives on page 10.

The editors would also like to thank the Society’s committee members, many of whom contribute their time and energy to authoring manuscripts for the Journal. Their efforts have assisted other accounting and financial professionals by unselfishly sharing their knowledge in many technical areas.

Finally, I would like to thank the members of the editorial and production staffs, who are instrumental in making The CPA Journal a quality publication. Without their dedication and hard work, this monthly endeavor would not be possible.

As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions, and encourage your support of The CPA Journal’s mission for the profession.

Mary-Jo Kranacher, MBA, CPA, CFE
Editor-in-Chief
mkranacher@nysscpa.org

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