Cheryl S. McWatters McGILL UNIVERSITY
REVIEW OF BOOKS: A RETROSPECTIVE GLANCE
James Ole Winjum, The Role of Accounting in the
Economic Development of England; 1500-1750 Michael E. Parrish, Securities Regulation and the New
Deal Hanns-Martin W. Schoenfeld, Cost Terminology and
Cost Theory: A Study of its Development and
Present State in Central Europe Doris Langley Moore, Lord Byron Accounts Rendered
What is the role of book reviews in the Internet era? Such was the query of a colleague upon learning of my appointment as Book Review Editor of the Accounting Historians Journal (AHJ). When we are able to download books and journals, as well as create and read online reviews at our favorite Internet bookstore, does the published book review serve any purpose? Not wanting to eliminate my position at its outset, I decided that a useful way to answer this question would be to revisit and re-examine previous book reviews in AHJ.
BOOK REVIEWS IN AHJ
Since its inception in 1977, AHJ has published approximately 300 book reviews of newly published and reprinted works. A quick glance at the w^orks reviewed, their authors and reviewers, indicates the breadth of publishing in accounting history and provides a who’s who of members of the discipline. We find books and reviews by Zeff, Winjum, Schoenfeld, Wells, Kawahara, Katano, and Woolf. Many individuals have contributed to both sides of the ledger, authoring and editing volumes, as well as reviewing them. Themes appear and re-appear, such as double-entry bookkeeping, standard costing, financial reporting, and accounting theory. The reviews demonstrate the global disper-sion of the discipline, with wTorks emanating from Asia and the Pacific Rim, Europe and the U.K., Scandinavia, and North America.
AHJ replaced The Accounting Historian, with its first three volumes reproducing its predecessor. The following section sam-ples the book reviews contained in these three volumes. The selections are a personal choice, not a statistical sample. They cover the broad range of topics and geography contained in the cohort of 22 reviews. After excerpting these reviews, I provide a brief summary of key points. The latter illustrate the continued value of the review vehicle to highlight ever-important topics in accounting history research and historical research more generally.
EXCERPTS FROM AHJ, VOLUME 1, NUMBERS 1-4, 1974
James Ole Winjum, The Role of Accounting in the Economic Development of England; 1500-1750 (Center for International Education and Research in Accounting, 1972, 252 pp.)
reviewed by Marc J. Epstein (pp. 36-37)
Though Yamey, Edey, and Thomson provided an introduction and overview to the development of accountancy in England…, no comprehensive study has been made of the development of accounting in this period in England. Further, though the Sombart thesis is a well accepted notion, a rigorous test of that thesis had not been conducted. James Winjum successfully completes both tasks…Central to the entire study is the test of the Sombart thesis that double-entry bookkeeping was ‘both a manifestation of the spirit of capitalism in its formative decades as well as a propulsive agency furthering a significant economic and cultural development.’ Through an examination of extant accounting treatises and textbooks and merchant accounts of England (1500-1750), Winjum finds the proof necessary to support the thesis…
Over the last few years, discussion has continued on the validity of the Sombart thesis. The contri-bution of this test of the thesis is obvious. It is also important to note the research methodology employed. Winjum’s study provides the results of extensive investigation into both treatises and original records and provides a thorough discussion of the previous support of the thesis by influential scholars. ‘Scissors and paste history’ is clearly not being used here in this carefully researched study…
The book is a major contribution to the literature of accounting history generally and English eco-nomic and accounting history specifically…The book is highly recommended as evidence of quality accounting history research.
Michael K. Parrish, Securities Regulation and the New Deal (Yale University Press, 1970, 270 pp.)
reviewed by Hugh Hughes (pp. 39-40)
The New Deal, broadly perceived as a reform movement, has been the subject of previous comprehensive studies. As Parrish notes in the introduction, he is concerned with illuminating a portion of the larger debate; the relationship between American businessmen and reform.’ He attempts to identify the reformers, their motivations, and the consequences of reform….
This is no Cinderella tale which Parrish relates – it is a study of legislation incessantly attacked by detractors wTho in some instances do manage to dilute or eliminate what appear to have been worthwhile reforms. The personal papers are par-ticularly helpful here in shedding light on the feelings and frustrations of both advocates and foes of these measures and of the philosophies motivating them.
An important feature of the book is that it is not primarily concerned with the accounting profes-sor or accounting practices. Accountants… are but one of a number of parties whom Parrrsh attempts to place in perspective, and it is this perspective that today’s accounting practitioner or professor should find of most benefit… To the accounting historian, the book is significant for this same perspective, for the evolution-ary study of a government institution of primary importance to accountants, and for its methodology
EXCERPTS FROM AHJ, VOLUME 2, NUMBERS 1-4, 1975
Hanns-Martin W. Schoenfeld, Cost Terminology and Cost Theory: A Study of its Development and Present State in Central Europe, Monograph 8 (Center for International Education and Research in Accounting, 1974, 177 pp.)
reviewed by M.C. Wells (pp. 74-76)
This monograph contains a comprehensive and readable account of the development of various theories of production costs by prominent German writers. For those of us who are incompetent in any but our own language, it is a long overdue introduction to a highly developed and rather specialized field…
Of particular interest to accounting historians will be Schoenfeld’s description of the origins of vari-ous cost theories, the background of the German Uniform Chart of Accounts and his evaluation of European theory development. Throughout that development, the close connection between cost accounting and economics is clearly drawn.
Schoenfeld has adopted the role of reporter, not advocate. His monograph is a work to be taken seriously and studied closely by all who profess an interest in cost accounting practices and theories. Although the emphasis on German literature is somewhat narrower than the title implies, the English language literature has been considerably enhanced by this addition.
EXCERPTS FROM AHJ, VOLUME 3, NUMBERS 1-4, 1976
Doris Langley Moore, Lord Byron Accounts Rendered (Harper & Row, Publishers, 1974, 511 pp.)
reviewed by Hans Johnson (pp. 92-94)
Lord Byron is remembered today for his literary genius and controversial life style. Lord Byron Accounts Rendered is the author’s second bio-graphical study of the poet. In her latest effort, Moore has tapped a previously unused wealth of documentary evidence pertaining to Byron’s financial affairs. Antonio Lega Zambelli, Lord Byron’s trusted aide, kept meticulous records of incomes and expenditures…Such is the volume of documentation that author Moore comments, ‘we have Byron’s domestic economy so minutely yet unconsciously reflected that there can scarcely be anything comparable in the annals of famous men…’
Accounting historians interested in the biographi-cal use of personal financial information will find the book beneficial as an example of research technique and synthesis of complex evidential material.
Moore’s approach is chronological with interpretation of important events and personalities based upon her study of the Zambelli records. The author, being very knowledgeable on the life of Byron, carefully weaves personalities, places and events together with monetary exchanges in such a manner as to reveal interesting new insights…
SUMMARY
Although the sample of reviews is small and constrained, these reviews and the source books provide the accounting historian with insights that remain relevant long after their initial publication. The reviews provide glimpses that enable the reader/researcher to determine the overall theme of the original work, its potential relevance to his or her own research, and hopefully motivation for the reader to explore further. Reviews can provide a starting point from which to obtain a form of triangula-tion for research of a similar nature. Finally, the review reveals the reviewer and the perspective that he or she has adopted.
Even if the review does not prompt one to seek out the origi-nal source, certain themes evident in these reviews strike a chord with accounting historians:
•Accounting in its context — the reviews all demonstrate that accounting cannot be studied outside of its context, be it economic, political, social, or cultural.
• Accounting as part of everyday life — the account of Byron is a good example of this feature of accounting, a role and the power of which are increasingly recognized in our accounting history research.
•The linkage of accounting to other disciplines — this linkage is evident, be it economics (as with cost accounting in Germany) or the influence of political economy (as in terms of the New Deal).
•The importance of sound methodology — the reviews all note the careful attention to methodology, sources, documenta-tion, and evidence.
• Perspective — as we write history, we adopt a perspective. Recognizing this point of view is necessary in order to write convincingly.
Whether we write books or launch our research on an Internet site, these points remain a relevant and requisite part of our accounting history craft.
Third Asian Pacific Interdisciplinary Research in Accounting Conference
1517 July, 2001 The University of Adelaide, South Australia
IN ASSOCIATION WITH ACCOUNTING, AUDITING & ACCOUNTABILITY JOURNAL CALL FOR PAPERS
After its first two conferences in Sydney (1995) and Osaka (1998), APIRA now moves to Adelaide in 2001. The premier food and wine city of australia, centre of a thriving arts and film industry, and a toprated convention city in the Asia Pacific, Adelaide is home to the editorial offices of AAAJ. Following the large international contingent at Osaka, we are expecting APIKA Adelaide to be the largest conference of its type ever mounted in Australia.
We seek papers addressing the relationships between accounting, auditing and accountability and their social, economic, institutional and political environments.. Our scope includes:
Social and Environmental Accounting; Accounting and Gender and/or feminist Theories; Accounting and Accountability in the Public Sector; Nonprofit Organizations’ Accountability; Accounting Policy and Standard Setting; Corporate Regulation and Accountability; Accounting Professions; New Forms of Accounting and Auditing; Professional and Business Ethics; Accounting and the Public Interest; Critical, Explanatory, Oral and Visual Approaches to Accounting History1; Critical and Ethnographic Case Studies of Accounting in Action; Accounting and Management Planning and Control; Accounting and Technology; Accounting and Culture; Accounting and the Home; Methodological and theoretical Issues; Accounting Communication
Three paper copies of completed papers must be sent to Professor Lee Parker at the AAAJ editorial office (below) no later than 1 December 2000. All papers will be refereed. Refer to website address above for further submission requirements and details.
EMERGING SCHOLARS’ COLLOQUIUM
A forum for doctoral students, new faculty and emerging researches will be held on 14 July, immediately prior to the conference. Attendance is strictly limited and will be by application. Refer to website for further details
ALL ENQUIRIES TO:
APIRA 2001 website: http://www.commerce.adelaide.edu.au/apira/
Email: aaaj@commcrce.adelaide.edu.au
Postal: APIRA 2001, School of Commerce,
The University of Adelaide, Adelaide,
South Australia 5005
Conference organiser: Ms Gloria Parker Tel 6188303 5524
Conference Chair: Professor Lee D. Parker
Conference Committee:
Professor James Guthrie, Professor Jesse Dillard
Macquarie Graduate School Management University of New Mexico
Professor Richard Laughlin Professor Hiroshi Okana
Kings College, University of London Osaka City University
Accounting and Business Research
Volume 30 Number 4 Autumn 2000
Contents
Articles
The investment opportunity set and the M. Hossain
voluntary use of outside directors: New S.F. Cahan
Zealand evidence M.B. Adams
Performance measurement and the use of league tables: Kevin Keasey Philip
some experimental evidence of dysfunctional consequences Moon Darren Duxbury
Incentives and disincentives for voluntary-disclosure PaulJ.M.Klumpes
by pension funds: international evidence 287
FRS3 earnings, Headline earnings, and accounting-based Stephin Lin Martin Walker
valuation methods
Is true and fair of over-riding importance?: a comment Christopher Nobes
on Alexander’s benchmark
Detecting earnings management K. V. Peasnell P. R
using cross-sectional abnormal accrual models Pope S. Young
Accounting, Business & Financial History
Since the commencement of the 1979 economic reform programmes accounting in China has been subject to many changes. Considerable efforts have been made to advance our understanding of current practice of Chinese accounting. However, the history of accounting thought and practice may be significant in terms of understanding present attitudes exhibited within the profession. Chinese accounting has a long history. It once took the lead in the world in ancient times and made a great contri-bution to the development of world accounting. It is with the intention of extending knowledge in the important field that a special issue of Accounting, Business & Financial History is to b e published on “Accounting history: Chinas Contributions and Challenges.
Economic reforms in China over the past two decades have been accom-panied by structural advances, legislative activities and the provision of institutional and professional guidelines for accounting. These reflect requirements for international recognition of the discipline together with other forces of the modern era. However, patterns of accounting development in China over thousands of years encompassing the dynas-ties, western influences and revolutionary edicts have accommodated the cultural environments in which practice has occurred. The competence of Chinese accountants in this context. The special issue of Accounting Business Financial History will address the subject of Chinese financial history and it’s development, the sub-editors for the issue will be Maxwell Aiken, La Trobe University Melbourne and Wei Lu, Monash University, Melbourne. Papers on all aspects of Chinese accounting history are wel-come. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:
• The influence of Chinese philosophies on accounting
• Government accounting
• Auditing Bookkeeping
• Culture and accounting
• The development of certified public accountants
• Chinese innovations in management accounting
• International influences on accounting
This special issue is to be published in the first quarter of 2002. Papers will be subject to the usual review process. Submissions should be made no later than the 31 January, 2001 to: Dr. Wei Lu, Department of Accounting and Finance, Monash University, Caulfield Campus, PO Box 197, Caulfield East, Victoria 3145, Australia.
