An analysis of the factors influencing the formation and policies of professional accounting bodies in Scotland, 1850-1900
Several writers on the development of accountancy in the nineteenth century, such as Jones, have stated that the accounting profession developed as a result of the Industrial Revolution. Another claim, which is made by writers such as Stacey, is that it was the increase in company legislation that was responsible for the formation of the profession; in particular he identifies the 1862 Companies Act as being a major factor. However, the first accounting bodies in the UK were formed in Scotland in 1853, well before Stacey's date of 1862, and, although the Industrial Revolution led to an increase in the number of accountants in Scotland, it was not these accountants who formed and joined the early accounting societies. The purpose of this thesis is, first. to identify the factors that were responsible for the formation of the first Scottish accounting bodies and the social background of the early members, and to examine the matters which were of major concern to those bodies during their early years. Since very few secondary sources are available in this area, it was necessary to use primary sources at the Scottish Records Office, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, British Parliamentary Papers
Kedslie, Moyra J. McI.
Accounting
An analysis of the factors influencing the formation and policies of professional accounting bodies in Scotland, 1850-1900. Several writers on the development of accountancy in the nineteenth century, such as Jones, have stated that the accounting profession developed as a result of the Industrial Revolution. Another claim, which is made by writers such as Stacey, is that it was the increase in company legislation that was responsible for the formation of the profession; in particular he identifies the 1862 Companies Act as being a major factor. However, the first accounting bodies in the UK were formed in Scotland in 1853, well before Stacey's date of 1862, and, although the Industrial Revolution led to an increase in the number of accountants in Scotland, it was not these accountants who formed and joined the early accounting societies. The purpose of this thesis is, first. to identify the factors that were responsible for the formation of the first Scottish accounting bodies and the social background of the early members, and to examine the matters which were of major concern to those bodies during their early years. Since very few secondary sources are available in this area, it was necessary to use primary sources at the Scottish Records Office, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, British Parliamentary Papers
analysis factor_influence formation policy professional accounting body scotland several writer development jones state accounting profession develop industrial_revolution another claim_make writer increase company legislation responsible formation profession particular identifies companies act major_factor however first accounting body form scotland well although industrial_revolution lead_increase number accountant scotland accountant form join early accounting society purpose first identify_factor responsible formation first scottish accounting body social_background early member examine matter major_concern body since secondary_source available area necessary use primary_source scottish records office institute scotland british parliamentary papers