Reflections on Current Brazilian Accounting Research

Abstract

This text argues that Brazilian accounting research has shifted from the extreme normativism of the past to the extreme positivism that characterizes the present. Propositional studies have virtually disappeared, and research now focuses almost exclusively on testing what already exists, with little or no creation directed toward the standardization of corporate accounting. This raises a fundamental question: Who, exactly, is creating? What we observe is that regulatory bodies—not academia—have become the main agents of accounting innovation. Even more concerning is the growing volume of positivist studies and publications that add little value to accounting theory and practice. In this context, it is essential to bring both approaches together, establishing a virtuous circle: create to discuss, test (normativism), practice, test again, refine (positivism), debate, and create again—completing the cycle. Finally, the text also calls for great caution regarding the specialization driven by taxonomy, which often leads us to lose sight of the broader picture.