Evolution of Accounting

Evolution of Accounting

In the earliest days of civilisation, accounting was done by stewards who managed the properties of wealthy people. They rendered accounts periodically to the owners of property. The stewardship accounting is said to be the root of accounting. Records of debit and credit were found in the 12th century itself.

In 1494, Luca Pacioli an Italian developed double-entry book-keeping system. Due to the industrial revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, large scale operations were carried on and joint stock companies emerged as an important form of organisation which required separation of ownership from management. Hence, to safeguard the interest of owners and investors, the business establishments required detailed information about business which paved the way for development of comprehensive financial accounting information system.

In the 20^th century, the need for analysis of financial information for managerial decision making caused emergence of Management Accounting as a separate branch of accounting.

Though accounting was individual centric in the initial stage of evolution of accounting, it has gradually developed into Social Responsibility Accounting in the 21st century, due to the vast growth in business activities as a result of development in various fields. Thus, accounting has become inevitable in the modern world for business.