This book sheds light on the nature of the late nineteenth century audit by reference to the views expressed in 26 legal cases. The treatment of late nineteenth century legal issues which might appear somewhat unbalanced, viewed from today’s stand-point, is shown to be more even handed when seen against the back ground of a vigorous contemporary debate concerning all aspects of the auditors’ duties. This text therefore informs readers of the full breadth of the debate, and discusses a range of issues which may since have been overlooked, such as the Kingston Cotton Mill case, 1895, normally referred to only in the context of stock valuation but which also had a great deal to say about the appropriate method for valuing fixed assets.

This book sheds light on the nature of the late nineteenth century audit by reference to the views expressed in 26 legal cases. The treatment of late nineteenth century legal issues which might appear somewhat unbalanced, viewed from today’s stand-point, is shown to be more even handed when seen against the back ground of a vigorous contemporary debate concerning all aspects of the auditors’ duties. This text therefore informs readers of the full breadth of the debate, and discusses a range of issues which may since have been overlooked, such as the Kingston Cotton Mill case, 1895, normally referred to only in the context of stock valuation but which also had a great deal to say about the appropriate method for valuing fixed assets.

This book gives a flavour of the issues that concerned auditing practitioners more than one hundred years ago and which retain a certain relevance to us today. The material is arranged chronologically and thereby emphasizes the interconnections between the issues as well as conveying the overall depth and flavour of the debate.

The Routledge Companion to Accounting History presents a single-volume synthesis of research in this expanding field, exploring and analysing accounting from ancient civilisations to the modern day. No longer perceived as the narrow study of how a mysterious technique was used in past, the scope of accounting history has widened substantially. This revised and updated volume moves beyond the history of accounting technologies, accounting theories and practices and the accountants who applied them. Expert contributors from around the world explore the interfaces between accounting and the economy, society, culture and the polity. Accounting history is shown to offer important insights into such disparate phenomena as the evolution of capitalism, control of labour, gender and family relationships, racial exploitation, the operation of religious organisations, and the functioning of the state. Illuminating the foundation and development of accounting systems, this updated, classic book opens the field to a new generation of accounting scholars and historians around the world.