This article deals with the search for the identity of the individual for whom an elaborate late eighteenth-century American account book was prepared. The article is also concerned with how the account book served the needs of this merchant and how the book reflects the socio-economic conditions of the times in which the merchant lived. This book shows his multifaceted activities as a merchant, importer, exporter and banker, highlighting the lack of specie and extensive use of barter at the time.

Historical account books can be impressive for their format, clarity, and detail. Such books are valuable historical documents, telling a story in accounting transactions about the activities of individuals many years ago and shedding light on the way they lived--what they bought, what they sold to whom, and what they received in exchange. An historical account book can be used to teach accounting. From our experience, such a book serves to motivate students to learn about the basic aspects of the accounting process. Using a book of this nature captures and holds the students’ interest and enthusiasm. They are curious about how such a book was prepared, what specific purposes it served to the preparer, and how it is both similar to and different from modern account books. Using this book can also foster interdisciplinary instruction – i.e., accounting and history. Both subject areas relate to an account book. Attempting to explain and understand transactions requires knowledge of the history of the period in which the book was prepared. Many college courses fail to integrate topics from one subject area to another. Using an historical account book to teach accounting can remedy this situation. However, for the student to adequately respond to the questions included in this paper, he/she would have to do some historical library research about this period in American business history. Therefore, considerable effort on the part of both the student and faculty member is required to use this approach.

Historical account books from the 18th and 19th centuries are valuable historical documents reflecting the activities of individuals many years ago and shedding light on the way they lived. Such books can be used to teach accounting. From our experience, these books serve to motivate students to learn about the basic aspects of the accounting process. Students are curious about how a book of this nature was prepared, what specific purposes it served, and how it is similar to and different from modern account books. Using these books can also foster interdisciplinary instruction, i.e. accounting and history. Both subject areas relate to an account book. Attempting to explain and understand transactions requires some knowledge of the history of the period in which the book was prepared. In this study, specifics are given on the instructional approach we recommend. While a book of this kind can be used in different ways and degrees in a variety of accounting courses including introductory financial, intermediate, and advanced at the undergraduate and graduate levels, we focus in this case study on its use in introductory financial accounting.

This paper considers barter accounting as practised in the US during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Different types of barter are described and illustrated. Background on the economic environment during these periods that was conducive to barter arrangements is furnished. Examples are provided of actual barter transactions taken from account books in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Furthermore, contemporary barter accounting and taxation practices are outlined and found to exhibit significant complexity. To understand such accounting, it is necessary to examine any surviving backup records, which underlie the account book transactions.

The most important Chinese philosopher, Confucius, was primarily concerned with improving social welfare and ethical behaviour. He preached enlightened state leadership and conformity to traditions. Believing in equal opportunity education and public service, Confucius trained individuals to become government officials. He emphasized the importance of working with others harmoniously, contending that government should operate on the basis of propriety, morality, and rituals rather than laws and punishment. This paper examines the main tenets of Confucianism and considers Chinese and Japanese accounting principles in light of Confucianism. The influence of Confucius on both Chinese and Japanese accounting is apparent.Keywords: Chinese AccountingConfucianismEast Asian AccountingJapanese Accounting