ABSTRACT
The managerial accountant's compass supports the managerial accountant moving fluidly between a range of roles and responsibilities, so evaluation should consider its applications, limitations, anticipated criticisms, benefits, and implications for policy planning and directions for future development. The limitations of the managerial compass concern its use as a metaphor; its separation of ethics from its other compass points; its exclusion of knowledge, skills and abilities; and its admixture of normative rules and guidelines. The major benefit of the managerial accountant's compass is its unique orienting and integrating function. Three research directions are proposed using three methods: experiment, self-report and ethnographic field studies. The managerial accountant's compass can be used to both assess what exists as well as what is missing. The managerial accountant's compass provides a guide to how a managerial accountant can plan and undertake their role and responsibilities for career success without stumbling or setbacks.
