Voluntary Disclosures as a Mechanism for Defining Entity Status in Australian Not-for-Profit Organisations

This study examines managerial efforts to portray an entity's not-for-profit (NFP) status based on voluntary disclosure practices. The annual report text of 61 NFPs are analysed in accordance with--NFP definitional framework. Results indicate a predominant application of the structural-operational definition. Furthermore, the 'organised' attribute of this definition prevails over the 'non-profit-distributing' criterion that has been advocated by various parties. Standard-setting bodies may want to consider: (1) NFP management perspectives in any revised NFP definition; and (2) greater clarity in conceptual framework and standard-setting arrangements to improve overall transparency in NFP reporting practices.