Peer Review Process

Articles submitted to  Scientia Accounting and Finance Journal (SAFIJ) will undergo a systematic editorial and peer review process to ensure the quality, originality, academic relevance, and conformity of each manuscript with the journal's focus and scope.

SAFIJ applies a double-blind peer review system in which the identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the review process. Each manuscript is evaluated based on its academic contribution, originality, methodological rigor, relevance, and conformity with the journal's publication standards.

Peer Review Stages

1. Initial Editorial Assessment
Every submitted manuscript is initially evaluated by the Editorial Board to determine its conformity with the journal's focus and scope, manuscript template, academic standards, originality, and methodology. Manuscripts that do not meet the basic requirements or fall outside the journal's scope may be rejected at this stage.
2. Plagiarism and Similarity Check
All submitted manuscripts must be free from plagiarism and unacceptable levels of textual similarity. The maximum permitted similarity index is 20%. Manuscripts with excessive similarity may be rejected. Where the similarity level is relatively low but potentially problematic matches are identified, the authors may be asked to provide clarification or make appropriate revisions.
3. Double-Blind Peer Review
Manuscripts that pass the initial editorial assessment and similarity check are sent to at least two peer reviewers. SAFIJ applies a double-blind peer review system, whereby reviewers do not know the identity of the authors and authors do not know the identity of the reviewers. Reviewers assess the manuscript based on its novelty and originality, theoretical foundation, research methodology, results and discussion, conclusions, academic contribution, relevance, and overall quality.
4. Editorial Decision
Reviewer reports are evaluated and discussed by the editors to determine the appropriate editorial decision. The possible decisions are accept, minor revision, major revision, or reject. The editorial decision is based on the reviewers' recommendations and the independent assessment of the Editorial Board.
5. Author Revision
When revisions are required, the authors will be asked to revise the manuscript in accordance with the comments and recommendations provided by the editors and reviewers. The revised manuscript must be returned to the journal within the specified timeframe.
6. Extension of Revision Period
Authors who are unable to submit the revised manuscript within the specified timeframe should contact the editor as soon as possible to request an extension. Requests for an extension are subject to editorial consideration.
7. Failure to Submit Revision
Manuscripts for which the authors fail to submit the required revision within the original or approved extended deadline may be considered withdrawn or rejected by the editorial team.
8. Final Editorial Decision
After the revised manuscript has been returned, the editor evaluates the revisions and determines the final editorial decision. Additional review or clarification may be requested when necessary before the manuscript is formally accepted for publication.

Review Criteria

The peer review process evaluates manuscripts from both substantive and technical perspectives. Reviewers are expected to assess the following aspects:

  • Originality and novelty of the manuscript;
  • Relevance and contribution to accounting and finance;
  • Clarity and adequacy of the theoretical framework;
  • Appropriateness and rigor of the research methodology;
  • Quality and validity of the results and discussion;
  • Consistency between research objectives, findings, and conclusions;
  • Academic and practical contribution of the research;
  • Quality of references and academic writing; and
  • Technical conformity with the journal's manuscript requirements.

Review Duration

Submitted manuscripts are evaluated through the double-blind peer review process with consideration of their contribution, originality, relevance, methodological rigor, and academic quality.

The peer review stage normally requires approximately 3 weeks. However, the actual duration may vary depending on reviewer availability, manuscript complexity, the number of review rounds required, and the timeliness of author revisions.

Estimated Timeline for the Article Publication Process

The overall editorial and publication process generally requires approximately 10 weeks, depending on manuscript complexity, reviewer responsiveness, the quality and timeliness of revisions submitted by the authors, and the journal's editorial workflow.

Scientia Accounting and Finance Journal (SAFIJ) publishes three issues annually, scheduled for April, August, and December. Manuscripts are processed on a rolling basis. Authors are encouraged to submit manuscripts sufficiently in advance of the intended publication issue. Completion of the editorial process within the estimated timeframe does not automatically guarantee publication in the nearest issue, as publication is subject to the journal's production schedule and availability.

1. Basic Review (Initial Editorial Assessment)
The manuscript undergoes an initial editorial evaluation to assess its suitability with the journal's focus and scope, formatting requirements, originality, and overall academic quality. This stage normally takes approximately 1 week.
2. Author Revision Following the Basic Review
Authors are invited to revise the manuscript based on the comments and recommendations provided during the initial editorial assessment. The standard timeframe allocated for this revision is 1 week.
3. Peer Review Process
Revised manuscripts proceed to the substantive peer review stage, during which at least two qualified reviewers assess the scientific and academic merit of the work. The peer review process normally takes approximately 3 weeks.
4. Revision Based on Reviewer Comments
Authors are required to revise the manuscript in response to the reviewers' substantive comments and recommendations. The typical timeframe provided for this revision is 2 weeks.
5. Discussion and Reviewer Response Evaluation
If necessary, additional discussion may be conducted regarding the revised manuscript and the authors' responses to reviewer comments. This stage generally requires approximately 1 week.
6. Layout Editing and Proofreading
Once the manuscript has been substantively accepted, it proceeds to the layout editing and proofreading stage to ensure consistency, accuracy, formatting quality, and publication readiness. This process normally takes approximately 1 week.
7. Author Confirmation of the Final Manuscript
Authors are given an opportunity to review and approve the final version of the manuscript before publication. The standard timeframe for final confirmation is approximately 3–4 days.
8. Finalization and Publication
The final stage includes administrative processing, final editorial checks, assignment of the manuscript to the appropriate journal issue, and publication. This process normally requires approximately 3–4 days.
Publication Schedule
SAFIJ publishes three issues annually according to the following schedule:
  • April — First Issue
  • August — Second Issue
  • December — Third Issue
Overall Estimated Publication Timeline
The estimated editorial and publication process takes approximately 10 weeks from initial submission to final publication. The actual duration may vary depending on the outcome of the editorial assessment, reviewer availability, revision requirements, and the author's response time.