New Journal of Finance Referee Honorarium Policy (Effective April 1, 2026): Referees who submit reports certified by the Editor as both on-time and high-quality are eligible for a $250 honorarium.
To simplify administration and ensure timely processing, reviewers are required to select their preferred compensation method at the time they accept an invitation to review.
- Selection Window: Elections must be made via the secure AFA portal within 60 days of accepting the review invitation.
- Default Treatment: If no election is made within this 60-day window, the honorarium will be automatically allocated to the Association to support its mission-based activities, including early-career researcher prizes and open-access subsidies.
The official honorarium policy can be found here.
Resolution of Legacy Referee Credits: The American Finance Association (AFA) has amended the Journal of Finance Referee Credit Policy to resolve all outstanding legacy credits accrued under the previous system.
On April 1, 2026, all reviewers with accrued credits will be notified directly via email with specific instructions for the final disposition of their balances. Available options include:
- Payment: A cash payout via PayPal (subject to standard tax documentation requirements).
- Philanthropic Donation: A contribution to the AFA APC Support Fund or the Rick Green Prize Fund.
- Retirement: Per the policy amendment, any credits not claimed or allocated by the May 31, 2026, deadline will be permanently retired and removed from the AFA’s financial records.