A Proposed Framework to Enhance Management Accounting Practice in Schools Management

Abstract

This conceptual paper develops a theoretically grounded framework to strengthen Management Accounting Practices (MAPs) in schools. Although management accounting is widely applied in the corporate sector, its adoption in educational settings remains limited, resulting in weak analytical decision-making, inadequate financial transparency, and inefficient budgeting. Drawing on Contingency Theory, Dynamic Capabilities Theory, and principles of public-sector accountability, this study conceptualises how contextual conditions shape the design and quality of Management Accounting Information (MAI), and how decision-making capability and financial innovation mediate the relationship between MAI and school performance. The proposed framework integrates budgeting cycles, cost measurement tools, reporting systems, and performance indicators to offer a more systematic and evidence-based approach to school financial governance. It also provides a foundation for future empirical validation through pilot studies, qualitative interviews, and quantitative modelling. By positioning MAPs as strategic enablers rather than administrative routines, the model offers practical guidance for school leaders and policymakers seeking to enhance transparency, resource optimisation, and data-driven decision-making in alignment with Malaysia’s education transformation agenda.