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Applying an ethnographic methodology allows the researcher to show how people’s everyday life is manifested in management accounting and control practices. The chapter reflects on two cases. One studied Bangladesh’s microfinance practices where illiterate women produce ‘oral accounts’ as part of alleviating rural poverty, while the other studied the management control practices of a Sri Lankan tea plantation where tea-plucking women exploited the opportunities of neoliberalism to reconstruct the prevailing system of management controls. Validation is achieved by the interaction of theory with the story. A story may act as an illustration of theory, or a theory may illuminate the story.

The editors introduce the book, outlining the motivation for the volume and reflecting on the profiles of the contributors. They explain the rationale for their choice of the four broad themes covered in the book and summarise the key insights from the chapters in each theme. They point in particular to the rich variety of approaches to researching accounting in emerging markets, and the depth of insight provided by contributors. The chapter concludes with the editors’ reflections on the avenues for future research and advice to those developing a research interest in this area.

Syria, prior to the outbreak of extreme violence in 2011, was seeking increased economic liberalisation and aspiring to gain a larger stake in the global economy after a long period of isolation and animosity with the West. The authors elaborate, with critical insight, on how, before the violent events of more recent times, Syrian accountants were mobilising debates and shaping their professional identity vis-à-vis the new role they envisaged for the accountancy profession in this era of globalisation. Future research possibilities are considered, including reflecting in this context on the terrible and tragic events impacting Syria in recent times.