Has scientific progress in accounting slowed down?

We examine knowledge progression in academic accounting over the past three decades using novel measures of the scientific impact of new research. Among eight reputable accounting journals, we find that the relative scientific impact of new research published in The Accounting Review, Journal of Accounting Research, and Journal of Accounting and Economics declined significantly since the early 2000 s, and new research in the other reputable journals did not counterbalance these major declines. This phenomenon occurred despite the concurrent proliferation of accounting research over this time period. Evidently, the concerns expressed by many prolific researchers have materialized. There is a real need for greater and more urgent introspection by university administrators, doctoral program directors, and journal editors regarding the reasons the high pace of scientific progress achieved in the early part of our study period slowed down significantly by its end.