Twentieth Century Academic Accounting’s Role in the Failure to Develop a Coherent Theory of Accounting

Abstract

This paper surveys key developments in accounting regulation theory over the twentieth century. The position is advanced that this project remains a work-in-progress that deserves the status of a key objective of accounting theoretical research. The nature of theoretical coherence is addressed, along with a case made for the desirability of a coherent theory of accounting regulation. The postulates of a coherent theory of accounting regulation are described and justified. Some preliminary indications are provided about the potential implications of the described coherent theory of accounting regulation. The undertaking is more circumscribed that Mattesich’s (1995) development of a coherent theory of accounting and, therefore, more achievable.

Keywords: Accounting Regulation Theory, Accounting History, Accounting Theoretical Coherence