The Origin And Progress Of Book Keeping

This work brings together current scholarship on the earliest true writing system in human history. Invented by the Babylonians at the end of the fourth millennium BC, this script, called proto-cuneiform, survives in the form of clay tablets that have until now posed formidable barriers to interpretation. Many tablets, excavated in fragments from ancient dump sites, lack a clear context. In addition, the purpose of the earliest tablets was not to record language but to monitor the administration of local economies by means of a numerical system.

A.D. 1494 - the earliest known writer on bookkeeping

Excerpt from Principles, Rules and Definitions: For Bookkeeping This little book was prepared to place at the disposal of students of bookkeeping, and business people generally, the principles and rules needed to make intelligible the bookkeeping work. A set of books in any business should be planned for a purpose. Knowledge of the end sought is essential to a single-minded effort to attain that end. The business man views a set of books as so much machinery for the collection and classifying of the vital facts of his business, for his guidance. The accountant plans the books so as to meet the business mans requirements. It is hoped that reference to the following pages, during the students progress through the bookkeeping work, may enable him to take the attitude of the accountant, looking beyond the necessary details of entering, posting, and filing, to the general plan and purpose. From the accounting standpoint, all sets of books have a likeness in certain particulars. In other particulars there is dissimilarity. We shall begin by referring to the matters which all ordinary bookkeeping systems have in common. The first record which is similar in every business is the statement of assets and liabilities showing the items comprising the net worth. Such a statement is necessary before opening a set of books, in order that the standing or financial strength may be made a matter of record. After the business operations are under way, at regular intervals of time similar statements are made showing the changed values of the items of assets and liabilities, and the resultant changes in the net worth. These financial statements thus afford a picture of the history and progress of the business through a period of years, with a definite analysis of the condition of the business at the close of any given accounting period. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The Routledge Companion to Accounting History shows how the seemingly innocuous practice of accounting has pervaded human existence in fascinating ways at numerous times and places; from ancient civilisations to the modern day, and from the personal to the political. Placing the history of accounting in context with other fields of study, the collection gives invaluable insights to subjects such as the rise of capitalism, the control of labour, gender and family relationships, racial exploitation, the functioning of the state, and the pursuit of military conflict. An engaging and comprehensive overview also examining geographical differences, this Companion is split into key sections, which explore: changing technologies used to represent financial and other data historical development of accounting theory and practice accounting institutions and those who perform accounting accountancy and the economy accounting, society, and culture the role of accounting in the government, protection and financing of states including chapters on the important role played by accountancy in religious organizations, a review of how the discipline is portrayed in fine art and popular culture, and analysis of sharp practice and corporate scandals. The Routledge Companion to Accounting History has a breadth of coverage that is unmatched in this growing area of study. Bringing together leading writers in the field, this is an essential reference work for any student of accounting, business and management, and history.

This book, first published in 1989, contains reprints of the early periodical on accounting, The Book-Keeper. It dealt with ‘historical reviews of methods and systems in all ages and by all nations. Elucidations of accounts, introducing new and simplified features of accounting. Problems from the counting-room discussed and explained. Instructive notes upon plans and methods of book-keeping in every department of trade, commerce and industry.’ The journal is a primary source for students interested in the history of accounting.