The process of institutionalization in accounting: Developments in England, suggestions for Türkiye

This study aims to examine the process of institutionalization in the accounting profession through a comparative analysis of the England and Türkiye, and to offer concrete recommendations for Türkiye. Due to globalization and changing economic conditions, the increasing importance of transparency, accountability, and reliability necessitates strengthening the institutional structure of the accounting profession. The England has played a leading role in bringing the accounting profession to a rational framework and in setting global standards, developing a simple, differentiated, and flexible model of institutionalization. In Türkiye, however, the process of professional institutionalization has been shaped primarily by legal regulations in line with regulatory interventions by the government. The research employs a qualitative methodology, collecting data through semi-structured interviews with 13 accounting professionals. The obtained data are analyzed using content analysis, and the findings are compared with the England model. The findings reveal that in the England, the accounting profession has a deeply rooted self-regulatory structure facilitated by professional organizations such as ICAEW, ACCA, and CIMA. Professional education is practice-oriented and supported by certification; ethical principles are based on a "principle-based" approach that encourages professional judgment, and there are strong oversight mechanisms like the FRC. The rapid adaptation to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is also seen as a strong reflection of mimetic isomorphism. In Türkiye, it has been observed that frequent legal changes and complexity create gaps in simplicity and stability within the profession. Professional differentiation remains limited compared to the England, the educational system does not fully meet market expectations, and there are vulnerabilities in ethics and accountability mechanisms. It has been noted that the institutionalization process in Turkey is more influenced by coercive isomorphism. The study also shows that directly transferring the England model to Türkiye is not feasible due to existing legal, economic, and cultural differences. However, the core principles and best practices can be adapted to Türkiye's unique conditions. In this context, the findings provide important strategic recommendations to support the institutionalization of the accounting profession in Türkiye.