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evolution of accounting thought
evolution of accounting theory
history and development of accounting
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Lucas Pacioli was the first to describe a system of debts and credits in accord with journals and ledgers in 1494. These basics came together to be the concoction for what is known as accounting. Since the formal establishment of accounting in 1494, the field has expanded as the demands of the ever-changing economy became greater. The industrial revolution created the first jump in the field forcing the creation of sectors within. Since this first creation of sectors, accounting as a field has been creating more specific sects to accommodate a large variety of areas. The most common and large sects created this far include public and private accounting. Although both sects carry the same basis for their work, the variation between the two lies in their demographic, demands, and decoration. The stereotypical image correlated to the account mirrors that of a public accountant. An individual working as a public accountant can expect to work as an independent third party to a multitude of companies. As this third party it is their duty to oversee financial transactions to ensure that the statements of not only the company, but also its’ supporting companies, correctly correspond and match up to the position, results and cash-flow of the clientele. This general quota outlining a public accountants job description is not the same for a private accountant. The main difference between a public and private accountant is that unlike the public and its handle on a multitude of accounts, a private accountant specializes with a certain company or field. With this specialization, a private accountant tackles setting up a system that records the transactions within the business. The recordation of the transactions is then generated into statem... ... middle of paper ... ...can provide security if anything was to ever diminish. In the case of a private accountant the end of climbing the professional pyramid is at becoming the chief financial officer (CFO). Within a company, this is the most prominent position for a person of an accounting background and field. Prior to becoming a CFO, the private accountant must tackle the positions of control such as assistant controller and controlee. At the achievement of becoming a CFO, the accountant would take on the same responsibilities it once held but to a higher level. It is expected to take control of the companies’ entirety of accounting functions. For a private accountant to reach the level of CFO is quite an accomplishment, but this position bestowed by a small, low-key company does not appear as well on paper as the accomplishment of a public accountant who made a name for themselves.
Accounting is very important to the world, both public and private accounting firms have one goal: financial stability. There are differences between both firms, however, it can be proven that public firms are better than private firms. The Big 4 is a good example of how public firms are more beneficial than private firms. All of these accountants have worked hard by getting there CPA degree. People should choose a public accounting firm over a private firm because a public firm deals with more than one business.
Although the author contends that modern accounting was first developed by the Muslim world in 622 AD, the history of accounting is as old as civilization itself. It was key to critical stage of history and was among the most important professions involving economics and business. It is hard to imagine that the Roman Empire, Greeks before them, and multiple other civilizations could have flourished without a system for tracking their financial resources. According to Gary Giroux, “It took archaeologists to dig up the early history and scholars from many fields to demonstrate the importance of accounting to so many aspects of economics and culture. The role of accountants in the ancient world is coming into clearer focus with new archaeological discoveries and innovative interpretations of the artifacts” (Giroux 1). This is further supported by John Alexander’s, History of Accounting, in which he states five thousand years before the appearance of the double entry accounting system in Italy in the late 1300’s, the Assyrian, Chaldaean-Babylonian, and Sumerian civilizations were thriving in the Mesopota...
Managerial accounting has changed over the years. Managerial accounting focuses on more than the financial aspect. We will be looking at how managerial accounting affects the business world today. Business also look to the economy, federal taxes, and the financial market so it can make the best decisions for their business.
Private and public accounting has long been discussed and disputed in regards to financial reporting. Since the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) was created in 1973, accountants have called for different accounting regulations for private and public accounting sectors, as private companies do not have the resources to meet the complex requirements of public companies. Private companies currently are not required by law to issue annual or quarterly financial statements (James, 2012). Private companies do, however, have the option to apply the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), cash basis, or accrual accounting to their financial statements (James, 2012).
Independent certified public accountants (CPAs)/auditors performing auditing and attestation engagements play a very important role in the economy. Auditing services can assist businesses with (1) transparency, (2) ensuring they are following proper policies and procedures, (3) ensure internal controls are functioning properly and (4) detect fraud and errors. Auditors provide the necessary checks and balances.
One of the foremost problems facing the accounting profession today is the loss of respect that faces accountants in light of recent accounting scandals. In order to regain lost respect in the accounting profession an accountant must have integrity and ethics that are above and beyond the norm. This fact is true whether the accountant works for a business entity or for a government entity. In either situation the accountant is responsible for remaining steadfast, not only in professional behavior, but in personal behavior as well. In recent years, accountants have come under fire by the general public for unethical decisions, a reputation that, although only a few individual accountants were guilty, the entire profession was found guilty of, in the court of public opinion. Now, the accounting profession must be far more diligent in governing themselves, and in assuring those dependent upon their decisions, that they are above reproach. This is especially true of those accountants responsible for government funds, which can be scrutinized by the public. The public seem to have set more rigorous standards than business investors, of what is proper use of the funds available. They will not tolerate waste or misappropriation of funds and demand complete accountability. Accountants must stand ready, willing, and able to answer any and all questions that may be put forth, and be able to prove that the decisions that have been made were correct and proper. This includes not only following the letter of the law, but avoiding any decisions that, while being legal, would not be totally ethical and above board. An accountant is trusted with confidential information which must remain confidential, unless it has led or could possibly lead to illegal activity, in which case, of course, the information, must be reported immediately to the proper authority.
“Behind every good business is a great accountant.” Considered by many to be language of business, accounting in all reality is a vague term. They are many types of accounting each with its own certifications and requirements. They are three main types of accountants first is the public accountant or CPA. This is a person who works for a public accounting firm, whose job is to go and evaluate the status of a company through auditing financial statements. Next, is a cooperate accountant. In cooperate accounting an accountant works inside a major cooperation, for example Ford or Chevy, and evaluates the status of the company through creation and analysis of the financial statements. Finally are tax accountants, who focus on studying the tax code
Chapter 1 - Introduction: ‘In the view of this committee, a single universally accepted basic accounting theory does not exist at this time.’(p.1). This is because that ‘the existence of basic differences in the way various theories view users and the preparer-user environments.’(p.3). Therefore, what the Committee tries to seek is ‘a theory that is general enough to cope with this variety and specific enough to offer assistance to accounting policy makers.’(p.3) However, none of the available theories is acceptable to all accountants.
In this task I am going to describe the purpose of accounting, why is it compulsory for businesses and organisations to keep a record of all accounts such as “profit/loss,” the amount of cash spent on “stock”, “bills”, “wages” and numerous other things related to the business that money is spent on . Accounting also covers the cash situation, sales levels, stock levels and credit given to customers as well as their bad debts.
Once you entered the world of accounting there are lots of responsibilities and difficulties you may face and encounter. In this case, there are times where we can't avoid malpractices in accounting which may affect an individual and an organization. The researchers chose this topic because they wanted to know more regarding this topic and being an accounting student they may encounter some related situations in the future. The researchers know that this topic must be considered for the good of the people involves in the field of accounting. If this topic will been studied it can give the people in the business some information that can help them to avoid and prevent accounting malpractices.
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 remainder of this paper will address the findings of a study outlined in the noted case. It includes a discussion of the restrictions placed on the accounting profession and whether these restrictions eliminate any ethical concerns. This is followed by an examination of h...
An accountant makes sure that the Nation’s firms are run efficiently, the public records are kept accurately, and that taxes are paid properly and on time (“Accountants and Auditors”). Accounting is the study of how a business tracks their income, assets, expenses, and many other things for a period of time. They also do many other things like quality management, tax strategy, and health care benefits management (“Welcome to Careers in Accounting”). An accountant is crucial to the success of a business, without one the business tends to fail.
T. A. Lee’s (1990) article, ‘A Systematic View of the History of the World of Accounting’ provides comprehensive evidence that is consistent with the premise that accounting has been significantly influenced by changes in history. The four coinciding stages of accounting history will be briefly dealt with to observe such premise. Earliest times (8000BC-1000AD),
Accounting is so important in our modern society. It serves a variety range of place in our society. It serves a variety range of place in our soceity, from school to hospital, from business firm to government agencies. It's also the main force in regulation of taxation and industrial activity. It serves a great aspects on the development of mass-production systems, any way, it's a very important term in our modern soceity.