This essay is going to discuss the perception that financial accounting appears to be transforming. It demonstrates that why the financial accounting theories appears and the difference between descriptive and prescriptive methods of research; the reason why researches might shift from one method to another and how the accounting theories influence by some famous researchers contribution such as Paton, Littleton and Chambers.
Accounting is a human activity; therefore accounting theories should consider people’s behavior with respect to accounting information. (Deegan, 2009, p.4) Hendriksen (1977, p.1) defends that accounting theory should be logical in the form of broad principles. It provides a general framework of reference by which accounting practices can be evaluated and guides the development of new practices and procedures. According to SAC 1 paragraph 12 (CPA, 2009), user needs accounting information to making resource allocation decisions. In order to provide the high quality and relevant information to achieve user needs, researchers attempt at constructing accounting theory to improve accounting practice and the quality of accounting information. (Gaffikin, 2005, p.3) Consequently, financial accounting theories come into view.
Research and develop the accounting theories fundamentally use “Inductive” or “Deductive” method. Inductive method such as descriptive theories suggests that theory is drawing a conclusion from a set of facts or evidence. (Deegan, 2009, p.8) It is because accounting theories should consider people’s behavior; the observation and conclusion form a set of facts can have extensively adoption. The research is based on careful observing of accounting practice in accountants consistent behavior (H...
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Hermanson, R., Edwards, J., & Maher, M. (2010).Accounting principles: A business perspective. (Vol. 2). Textbook Equity inc. DOI: www.textbookequity.com
During the 1960s, Briloff became a critic in the accounting field by raising alarm on the standards and habits that in his own opinion did not agree with t...
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Accounting is considered to be a Social and institutional practice, one which is constitutive and intrinsic to social relations (Hopwood, 1994, pg1). In case of (MA), internal users like managers are provided with (MA) information (Seal, 2009, pg4). This information focuses on both human performance and product services costs. It also gives the responsibility to managers to take measures according to the planning, directing and motivating and controlling of the business (Young, 2003, chapter5). Modern managerially-run enterprises was first established by Chandler in the United States between ‘1830 to 1860’(Chandler, 1977, pg3).It makes possible the world of oligopolies, which brings imperfect competition and misallocation of resources. It is...
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Accounting provides economic and financial information for investors, creditors, external users, and the general public at large. Financial accounting is an aspect of accounting is the associated with the complexity of preparing financial statements: the Income statement, Retained earnings, Balance sheet and statement of cash flow. Financial accounting is the battlefield in the business world today. It is faced with unprofessional accounting practices that delve its principles. According to Valter W.J (1972), generally accepted accounting principles incorporate the consensus at any time as to which economic resources and obligations should be recorded as assets and liabilities, which changes in them should be recorded, when these changes should be recorded, how the recorded assets and liabilities and changes in them should be measured, what information should be disclosed and how it should be disclosed, and which financial statements should be prepared. Recognizing these issues, identifying the principal element, and alternatives is the rock upon which accounting ethical standard lies.
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Positive accounting theory is arguably an explanatory of accounting practice; economic based theory. RL Watts and JL Zimmerman developed positive accounting theory in 1980s at the William E School of Administration at the Rochester University. People do not know what they want at times. So there are different options available to accountants. There are some logical facts to choose one specific method. On choosing one specific method, accountants will maximize their own benefit first, and then company benefit, shareholder benefit and at last social benefits. A specific method will allow accountants to feel better to do their work as they like them the way they know and they way they are best at doing (Jayne Godfrey). For instance, accountant will write accumulated depreciation on asset value side for big company whereas when a poor balance sheet, it is better to put accumulated depreciation on credit side, so the company will have extra money in their debit (Ken Leo, John Hoggett, 2012). Accountants will use choice of accounting method depending on the situation. Positive accounting theory consists of different types of hypothesis such as bonus plan, political cost and debt hypothesis, which allow the managers to choose one specific method over another. It is accountants’ theory and it is descriptive and accountants will tell what to record.
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The significance of this article stems from the necessity of making the infrastructures of accounting knowledge more scientific. The infrastructures which would be the bases of assumptions, principles, and concepts of accounting knowledge. Only via making these infrastructures scientific, one can promote the status of accounting among other sciences. In addition, without any justification, reasoning, and argumentation, one cannot have scientific claims. The theory of accounting should ultimately enable the standards setters to deduce the standards. Considering the impact of accounting theory on standard setting, this article aims at analyzing the point that whether the type of reasoning applied in developing accounting theory and setting accounting
The history of accounting I feel is important in the learning, understanding, and developing of my foundation for my accounting career. In this report you will learn about the development of accounting. You will learn about the people who influenced accounting the most throughout the years. You will learn how accounting came about and how it was used in the ancient times. You will learn about the invention of the double-entry bookkeeping processes. You will learn how things were done before the birth of the double-entry bookkeeping process. You will learn about Luca Pacioli and the Summa. You will also learn about modern accounting and ACAUS.
Accounting has been a living part of history since the Neolithic period and remains a prevalent and ever-evolving profession still to this day. This essay therefore proposes to look at the significance and role of history specifically related to the accountancy field. In order to substantiate this claim of the importance of accounting history, numerous benefits of accounting history will be presented. Factors such as the use of historical research and its availability thereof to constantly develop accounting policies will be discussed as well as how historical accounting practices can be used to understand current practice and assist in the training of individuals in the accounting field. Lastly, the importance of history in the development