Reviewed by Lloyd Seaton, Jr. University of Arkansas
This work, a collage of essays and addresses written by Charles Waldo Haskins at the turn of the century, should make especially interesting reading for academicians and practitioners interested in the role of professional education, i.e., professional schools and programs, in today’s university setting. Professor Haskins, one of the founding partners of the firm bearing his name, held the Chair of Auditing and Accounting History and was the first Dean of New York University’s School of Commerce, Accounts, and Finance, established July 28, 1900. As Dean, Professor Haskins’
“. . . first aim was to bring together in the School a corps of trained educators and practicing accountants as would meet the educational requirements of the State Board of Examiners under the [State of New York] law of 1896.” The reflections contained in the first six chapters deal specifically with the place and role of the university in preparing individuals for careers in business. The introductory chapter, written by Mr. Cleveland six months following Professor Haskins’ death, refers to the work as
“. . . the most advanced thought of those not actively engaged in the teaching profession on the subject of business training and the possibility of raising high professional standards in what may be called business special-ties
. . . .” (That is, Accountancy, Finance, and Business Administration.) The recurring theme that
“. . . education has not kept pace with the demands of the time” is explored in some detail as is the schismatic distinction between the “theoretical,” and the “scientific.” Considerable effort is made to generalize that these professional specializations are a logical outgrowth of the development of commerce and business.
Following a rather interesting biographical sketch of Professor Haskins, Chapter II deals with the specifics of what the author calls “prejudices of the educated against business, prejudice of businessmen against education” as well as arguments concerning the legitimacy and benefits of business education. Chapter Ill, entitled “The Scope of Banking Education,” addresses issues as they relate to what is being done in the way of higher commercial and financial training—the Department of Commerce, Accounts, and Finance of New York University is offered as the case in point. Chapter IV is taken from an address to the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants delivered on June 11, 1980 entitled “The Possibilities of the Profession of Accounting as a Moral and Educational Force.” The work overflows with Professor Haskins’ view of the importance of the profession of accountancy and of business education to the profession.
Chapters V and VI present Professor Haskins’ views on “The Growing Need for Higher Accounting” and “The Place of the Science of Accounts in Collegiate Commercial Education.” The first work is from an address before the Pennsylvania Institute of Certi-fied Public Accountants, Philadelphia, April 15, 1902. In this speech, Professor Haskins suggests that it is “. . . evident that we are dealing with an experimental, progressive and adaptive science of which we know as yet little of the boundless possibilities rather than the expert book-keeper” model commonly associated with the field by the lay community. Professor Haskins discusses the opportunities for the accountant to perform “missionary work” in helping businessmen improve their accounting systems and reduce such “rascalities” as having one’s “pockets picked” in public.
Two movements are discussed. First, legislation establishing and “safeguarding” the practice of professional accountancy in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and California; and secondly, the educational movement as evidenced by the establishment of New York University’s School of Commerce, Accounting, and Finance.
The thrust of this speech was to inform the Pennsylvania audience of his views concerning recent developments impacting on the profession of “higher accountancy.”
The second piece in this section deals with the place of the science of accounts in collegiate commercial education. This short paper was prepared for the Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Economic Association held at Ann Arbor, Michigan, December 28, 1900. This paper presents a brief description of the historical setting of commercial and accounting education. It also discusses events leading to the establishment of the New York University School. Some effort is expended to provide some curricula detail as well as to offer support for the notion that the science of accountancy provides a framework for “a recognizable profession—Public Accountancy—on a plane with that of Medicine, Theology, or the Law.”
The last three chapters consist of two essays on the history of accounting and one essay dealing with the author’s experience with the municipal accounts of Chicago. The first work in this section, Chapter VII, “History of Accountancy,” is a lecture delivered by Professor Haskins at the opening of the School of Commerce, Accounts, and Finance of New York University, October 2, 1900.
Chapter VIII, “Accountancy in Babylonia and Assyria,” is drawn from the literature of the time and represents a portion of Professor Haskins’ unpublished efforts to provide prospective to the field. References in earlier speeches and essays were undoubtedly based upon this personal review of the literature concerning accountancy in Babylonia and Assyria. Chapter Vlll is more detailed than earlier chapters.
Chapter IX, “The Municipal Accounts of Chicago,” was taken from a paper that was read at the Seventh Annual Meeting of the National Municipal League, May 10, 1901. The connection between this last chapter and the earlier work, although interesting, is at best obscure.
As stated in the reviewer’s opening remarks, this work should be of interest to both practitioners and educators. The perspectives provided are well worth the effort.
