Management accounting in less developed countries: what is known and needs knowing

<jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</jats:title><jats:p>The purpose of this paper is to evaluate management accounting research in developing countries and formulate suggestions for its progression.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</jats:title><jats:p>This is a desk based study of existing literature analysed through a framework of management control transformation in developing countries derived from the authors' research.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</jats:title><jats:p>Research is growing, especially on accounting in state‐owned and privatised enterprises but more is needed on small and micro enterprises, agriculture, non‐governmental organisations, and transnational institutions.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</jats:title><jats:p>This is the first review of this area and thus should help intending and existing scholars.</jats:p></jats:sec>