Biography
Professor George Tanewski is a Professor in the Department of Accounting in Deakin Business School. George’s research interests include disclosure matters related to financial reporting and corporate governance with a focus on family-controlled firms and the SME environment, the value relevance of financial reporting, and ownership structure issues associated with both public and private companies.
The impact of George’s published works on family ownership and proprietary companies has highlighted the need to better understand the objectives of the firm’s owners and how these objectives and incentives impact on decision-making, which in turn impact on the quality of financial disclosures and other corporate governance mechanisms.
As part of a research team commissioned by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB), George examined the application of the reporting entity concept and adoption of special purpose financial reporting by large proprietary companies not operating in the capital markets (unlisted private entities) and not-for-profit organisations. The research report, released in June 2014, raises some fundamental questions about the adequacy of Australian financial reporting by entities that do not have ‘public accountability’ (as defined in AASB 1053 Application of Tiers of Australian Accounting Standards). The findings from this report brought about legislative changes in November 2015 to how consolidated general purpose reports are prepared by companies in Australia as a way of reducing the number of special-purpose reports that are prepared.
Another example of George’s experience in policy formulation and thought leadership is his development and co-authorship of the Australian Small Business White Paper in 2015, a policy document commissioned by the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). The White Paper recommends that government and small business focus on three key pillars - human capital (people), financial capital (investment) and technological change (innovation) – to improve the productivity of the SME sector. The report was presented to the former Federal Minister for Small Business, Bruce Billson, at Parliament House in August 2015.
Read more on George's profileResearch interests
- Ownership Structure
- Corporate Governance
- Voluntary Disclosure
- Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMES)
- Panel Data Methods
Affiliations
- Member, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand (AFAANZ).
- Member, Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).
Teaching interests
- Research Design and Methods
- Quantitative Methods
Media appearances
- 'Timid SMEs missing their chance in China', The Australian, 6 July 2018.
Projects
- Development of the second edition of the Australian Small Business White Paper to be released later in 2018.
Publications
R&D investment, innovation, and export performance: An analysis of SME and large firms
M Zaman, G Tanewski
(2024), pp. 1-34, Journal of Small Business Management, London, Eng., C1
E Johansson, P Carey, G Tanewski, I Yusoff
(2022), Vol. 62, pp. 1851-1886, Accounting and Finance, London, Eng., C1
L Saxon, S Bromfield, S Leow-Taylor, C Vega, M Berk, A LaMontagne, A Martin, M Mohebbi, K Nielsen, N Reavley, A Walker, A Conway, A de Silva, K Memish, A Rossetto, G Tanewski, A Noblet
(2022), Vol. 22, pp. 1-12, BMC Psychiatry, London, Eng., C1
I Abu Bakar, A Khan, P Mather, G Tanewski
(2020), Vol. 60, pp. 661-692, Accounting and Finance, C1
On the productive efficiency of Australian businesses: firm size and age class effects
M Cowling, G Tanewski
(2019), Vol. 53, pp. 739-752, Small business economics, 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature, C1
Keeping it private: financial reporting by large proprietary companies in Australia
B Potter, M Pinnuck, G Tanewski, S Wright
(2019), Vol. 59, pp. 87-113, Accounting and finance, Chichester, Eng., C1
H Aman, W Beekes, H Berkman, M Bohmann, M Bradbury, L Chapple, M Chang, V Clout, R Faff, J Han, D Hillier, A Hodgson, B Howieson, J Jona, M Linnenluecke, T Loncan, B McCredie, D Michayluk, N Mroczkowski, Z Pan, V Patel, E Podolski, N Soderstrom, T Smith, G Tanewski, K Walsh, M Wee, S Wright
(2019), Vol. 56, pp. 129-150, Pacific Basin finance journal, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
CFO tenure, CFO board membership and accounting conservatism
M Muttakin, A Khan, G Tanewski
(2019), Vol. 15, Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, C1
Corporate boards and performance pricing in private debt contracts
I Bakar, A Khan, P Mather, G Tanewski
(2018), Vol. 50, pp. 144-162, Pacific Basin Finance Journal, C1
Business advice by accountants to SMEs: relationships and trust
R Blackburn, P Carey, G Tanewski
(2018), Vol. 15, pp. 358-384, Qualitative research in accounting and management, Bingley, Eng., C1
Institutional investors in Australia: Do they play a homogenous monitoring role?
P Muniandy, G Tanewski, S Johl
(2016), Vol. 40, pp. 266-288, Pacific Basin Finance Journal, C1
The provision of business advice to SMEs by external accountants
P Carey, G Tanewski
(2016), Vol. 31, pp. 290-313, Managerial auditing journal, Bingley, Eng., C1
L Mitrione, G Tanewski, J Birt
(2014), Vol. 39, pp. 425-452, Australian journal of management, London, England, C1
Application of the reporting entity concept in Australia
Peter Carey, Brad Potter, George Tanewski
(2014), Vol. 50, pp. 460-489, Abacus, Melbourne, Vic., C1
P Carey, W Knechel, G Tanewski
(2013), Vol. 23, pp. 43-53, Australian accounting review, Richmond, Vic., C1
Voluntary demand for auditing by farm businesses: an Australian perspective
P Carey, G Tanewski
(2013), Vol. 12, pp. 213-234, Accounting and management information systems, Bucharest, Romania, C1
The role of board independence in mitigating agency problem II in Australian family firms
L Setia-Atmaja, J Haman, G Tanewski
(2011), Vol. 43, pp. 230-246, British accounting review, London, England, C1-1
N Mroczkowski, G Tanewski
(2009), Vol. 1, pp. 228-261, International journal of critical accounting, Olney, Eng., C1-1
The role of dividends, debt and board structure in the governance of family controlled firms
L Setia-Atmaja, G Tanewski, M Skully
(2009), Vol. 36, pp. 863-898, Journal of business finance and accounting, Chichester, Eng., C1-1
N Mroczkowski, G Tanewski
(2007), Vol. 45, pp. 320-332, Journal of small business management, London, Eng., C1-1
The relationship between family firms and corporate governance
S Bartholomeusz, G Tanewski
(2006), Vol. 44, pp. 245-267, Journal of small business management, Hoboken, N.J., C1-1
Understanding leadership and employee attitudes in fast-growth family businesses
Y Ho, G Tanewski
(2005), pp. 39-66, Managing the family business, Heidelberg, Vic, B1
Work-family conflict: a study of American and Australian family businesses
K Smyrnios, C Romano, G Tanewski, P Karofsky, R Millen, M Yilmaz
(2003), Vol. 16, pp. 35-51, Family business review, London, Eng., C1-1
Capital structure decision making: a model for family business
C Romano, G Tanewski, K Smyrnios
(2001), Vol. 16, pp. 285-310, Journal of business venturing, New York, N.Y., C1-1
Student progress in distance education: Kember's model re-visited
A Woodley, P De Lange, G Tanewski
(2001), Vol. 16, pp. 113-131, Open learning: the journal of open, distance and e-learning, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
Voluntary demand for internal and external auditing by family businesses
P Carey, R Simnett, G Tanewski
(2000), Vol. 19, pp. 37-51, Auditing: journal of practice and theory, [Sarasota, Fla.], C1-1
Characteristics of organisations using an audit for interim financial statements
A Baines, G Tanewski, G Gay
(2000), Vol. 10, pp. 52-61, Australian accounting review, Chichester, Eng., C1-1
Development of a measure of the characteristics of family business
K Smyrnios, G Tanewski, C Romano
(1998), Vol. 11, pp. 49-60, Family business review, London, Eng., C1-1
The academic dean: a position in need of a compass and clock
J Sarros, W Gmelch, G Tanewski
(1998), Vol. 17, pp. 65-88, Higher education research and development, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
The role of department head in Australian universities: tasks and stresses
J Sarros, W Gmelch, G Tanewski
(1997), Vol. 16, pp. 283-292, Higher education research and development, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
The role of department head in Australian universities: changes and challenges
J Sarros, W Gmelch, G Tanewski
(1997), Vol. 16, pp. 9-24, Higher education research and development, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
Protecting the mental health of small-medium enterprise owners: Evaluating real-world approaches to mental health first aid and client-relationship building training for small business advisers
Prof Andrew Noblet, Prof George Tanewski, Prof Michael Berk, A/Prof Arlene Walker, Prof Tony LaMontagne, Dr Nicola Reavley, Prof Karina Nielsen
NHMRC - Partnership Project
- 2023: $66,429
- 2022: $142,076
- 2021: $217,420
- 2020: $150,174
Other Public Sector Funding
Financial Statement Reporting Practices of Entities Lodging Under the Corporations Act / Differential Reporting Research Project
Prof George Tanewski, Prof Peter Carey
Australian Accounting Standards Board - commissioned research
- 2013: $50,000
- 2012: $13,636
Post Implementation Review of Reduced Disclosure Reporting: Examining Reports Lodged by Private Companies in Australia
Prof Matt Pinnuck, A/Prof Brad Potter, Prof George Tanewski
Centre of Excellence for International Finance and Regulation
- 2016: $45,000
Conceptual Framework Research Project
Prof George Tanewski
Australian Accounting Standards Board
- 2019: $10,000
- 2018: $10,000
Protecting the mental health of small-medium enterprise owners: Evaluating real-world approaches to mental health first aid and client-relationship building training for small business advisers
Prof Andrew Noblet, Prof George Tanewski, Prof Michael Berk, A/Prof Arlene Walker, Prof Tony LaMontagne, Dr Nicola Reavley, Prof Karina Nielsen
Victorian Workcover Authority (WorkSafe Vic) - Partnership
- 2022: $30,000
- 2021: $30,000
- 2020: $30,000
Counting on U: Supporting SME advisors & owners towards better mental health
Prof Andrew Noblet, Prof George Tanewski, Prof Michael Berk, A/Prof Arlene Walker, Prof Tony LaMontagne
DISER - BusinessBalance ad hoc grant
- 2021: $2,238,000
Development of a definition (measure) of sustainability suitable for the small business sector in Australia.
Prof George Tanewski, Dr Miethy Zaman, Ms Gimhani Yasanthika Ekanayake
International Education Resilience Fund
- 2022: $9,000
Industry and Other Funding
The Future of Small Accounting Practices: Developing Capabilities and Expertise
Prof Peter Carey, Prof George Tanewski
Institute of Chartered Accounts in Australia Grant - Research
- 2013: $10,000
IPA-Deakin SME Research Partnership
Prof Peter Carey, Prof George Tanewski, Prof Barry Cooper
Institute of Public Accountants
- 2015: $66,666
- 2014: $66,666
- 2013: $66,666
IPA - Deakin SME Research Centre
Prof Anne Wyatt, Prof Barry Cooper, Prof Peter Carey, Prof George Tanewski
Institute of Public Accountants
- 2023: $481,800
- 2021: $240,900
- 2020: $219,000
- 2019: $219,000
- 2018: $219,000
- 2017: $167,000
- 2016: $167,000
Protecting the mental health of small-medium enterprise owners: Evaluating real-world approaches to mental health first aid and client-relationship building training for small business advisers
Prof Andrew Noblet, Prof George Tanewski, Prof Michael Berk, A/Prof Arlene Walker, Prof Tony LaMontagne, Dr Nicola Reavley, Prof Karina Nielsen
Institute of Public Accountants, Beyondblue Grant - Research, Mental Health First Aid Australia
- 2022: $75,000
- 2021: $75,000
- 2020: $120,450
SME Ecosystem Research Program
Prof Anne Wyatt, Prof George Tanewski
Institute of Public Accountants
- 2022: $11,719
- 2021: $107,228
Supervisions
Kaddijatou Manneh
Thesis entitled: Equity Crowdfunding and Financial performance of United Kingdom Firms
Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Accounting
Amirul Hafiz Bin Mohd Nasir
Thesis entitled: Auditing, financial reporting quality and investment decisions of small private companies at different life-�cycle stages
Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Accounting
Puspalila Muniandy
Thesis entitled: Heterogeneity of Institutional Investor Ownership and CEO Power on Firm Outcomes
Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Accounting
Elka Lucia Johansson
Thesis entitled: The Determinants of Reporting Financial and Non-Financial Information by Charities
Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Accounting
Wen Hua Sharpe
Thesis entitled: Determinants of Corporate Capital Structure: A Comparison of Public and Private Firms
Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Accounting
Azlina Abdul Jalil
Thesis entitled: FINANCIAL REPORTING BEHAVIOUR AND INVESTMENT EFFICIENCY: EVIDENCE FROM PRIVATE FAMILY FIRMS
Doctor of Philosophy, School of Accounting, Economics & Finance
Gimhani Yasanthika Ekanayake
Thesis entitled: Three Essays on the Role of Corporate Governance in Efficient Debt Contracting
Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Accounting