This book presents the first non-European and non-North American comprehensive study explaining failures of key merger attempts by Australia’s two leading accounting bodies. It employs two complementary theoretical constructs namely, boundary work and exclusiveness versus market control, to explain the maintenance of professional boundaries in the Australian accounting profession. In doing so, it illustrates key historical developments in Australia’s society, economy and business world towards shaping the present structure and operations of the accounting profession, and the remaining professional bodies at the national level.

• Historical Context: Illustrates how historical developments in Australia’s society, economy, and business landscape have shaped the current structure and operations of the accounting profession.
• Impact on Professional Bodies: Explores the implications of these merger attempts for the remaining professional bodies at the national level.
• Professional Boundaries: Examines the dynamics that contribute to the persistence of boundaries within the Australian accounting profession.
• Significance for Accounting: Provides insights relevant to understanding professional identity and organizational behavior in accounting.
• Contextual Analysis: Integrates a rich historical analysis to contextualize the challenges faced by the accounting profession in Australia.