Hsiao, Pei-Chi KellyDe Villiers, Charl JohannesHorner, ClaireOosthuizen, Hein2022-08-102022-12Hsiao, P.-C.K., de Villiers, C., Horner, C. & Oosthuizen, H. (2022) A review and synthesis of contemporary sustainability accounting research and the development of a research agenda. Accounting & Finance, 62(4): 4453-4483, 1–31. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/acfi.12936.0810-5391 (print)1467-629X (online)10.1111/acfi.12936https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/86753The study provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary sustainability accounting research, comprising 1,283 academic articles published in 54 journals (2014–2020). Sustainability disclosure is the most frequently researched topic and a substantial proportion of publications analyse a national setting, examine a European context, investigate listed firms, adopt an empirical archival research method, apply social and political theories, or focus broadly on sustainability. Based on this analysis, we develop a conceptual framework of sustainability accounting influences. We discuss prevalent themes, empirical findings and apparent inconsistencies, reflecting on recent trends and the state of sustainability accounting knowledge, developing an agenda for future research.en© 2022 Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand. This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article : A review and synthesis of contemporary sustainability accounting research and the development of a research agenda. Accounting & Finance, vol. 62, no. 4, pp. 4453-4483, 2022, doi : 10.1111/acfi.12936. The definite version is available at : http://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/acfi.AccountabilityLegitimacyStakeholder engagementSustainability accountingSustainable developmentPostprint Article