1. Accounting Theory & Practice OVERVIEW OF ACCOUNTING THEORY
ATPB 313
Accounting Theory & Practice
Sem /2014
(updated October 2013)
Topic 2:
OVERVIEW OF ACCOUNTING THEORY
REF: 1 & 2 (Godfrey et al 2010)

2. At the end of this lecture, students should be able to:
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lecture, students should be able to:
Discuss an overview of what accounting theory is
Describe the development of accounting theory
Describe how accounting theories are formulated and tested
Describe how accounting theories are constructed and measured

3. 1.0 What is Accounting Theory?
Accounting theory - logical reasoning in the form of a set of broad principles that:
provide a general framework of reference by which accounting practice can be evaluated
guide the development of new practices and procedures

4. 1.0 What is Accounting Theory?
How well it explains and predicts reality
How well it is constructed
How acceptable are the implications of the theory
The acceptance of a theory will depend on:
Explain why & how current accounting practice evolved
Suggest improvements
Provide the basis for development of such practice
Main objectives of accounting theory

5. 2.0 Development of Accounting Theory
Pre-theory period
No theory of accounting was devised
General Scientific Period
Observe what actually happened
Based on empirical analysis i.e. relying on real-world observations not simply on logic
Normative Period
Prescribe what should happen
2 group dominated
Limitation of the theory
Do not involve hypothesis testing
Based on value judgment
1970-present Specific Scientific theory
Describe, explain and predict accounting practice
i.e.: bonus plan hypothesis 3 4 2 1
Positive
accounting
Pragmatic
accounting

6. 2.0 Development of Accounting Theory
Behavioural Research
Current development
Result from the narrow approach of positive theorists
Concerned the broader sociological implications of accounting numbers and the associated actions of ‘key players’
Emerged in 1950s
Corporate collapses e.g. Enron & WorldCom has triggered question on whether a comprehensive theory of the impact of accounting on behaviour had been developed
increase in legislative reporting requirements.
convergence

7. 3.0 Approach to formulation of accounting theory
FORMULATING ACCOUNTING THEORY
Deductive
Inductive
General to specific
Specific to general

8. Approach to formulation of accounting theory
Deductive
Drawing specific conclusion from detailed observations and measurements
A "top-down" approach.
Deduction
P1 all asset accounts have debit balance.
P2 The plant & machinery account is an asset account.
Conclusion the plant & machinery account has a debit balance

9. Approach to formulation of accounting theory
Inductive
From specific observations to a general conclusion
A "bottom-up" approach
Induction
P1 the plant and machinery account is an asset account and has a debit balance.
P2 the motor vehicle account is an asset account and has a debit balance.
P3 the land is an asset account and has a debit balance.
Conclusion all asset accounts have debit balance.

10. Theory development eventually must relate to the real world.
4.0 Parts of a Theory
Theory development eventually must relate to the real world.
Theoretical structure
Syntactic
Pragmatic
Semantic

11. 5.0 Testing a Theory self-evidence Dogmatic Scientific Theory testing
In developing theory using scientific approach, we need to test a theory using criteria of truth.
Theory testing
self-evidence
Dogmatic
Scientific
Syntactic
Induction
Falsification/Popper
Research program /Lakatos
Kuhnian
Feyeraband

12. Testing a Theory SCIENTIFIC Dogmatic basis
Accept the statements made by people who has the authority
Self-evident
The justification of self-evidence as a way to determine truth is the reasonableness, sensibility, or obviousness of a statement based on our general knowledge, experience, or observation
SCIENTIFIC
Syntactic
Statements ascertained as valid or invalid by logic or reasoning alone
Induction
Statements whose truth or falseness can be known only by reference to empirical evidence or its correspondence with observations of real-world phenomena
Falsification (Popper)
the trial and error testing of speculative hypothesis
can never be proven absolutely true, but can be rejected when shown to be false
Research Programs (Lakatos)
hard core of the research program which stipulate the basic assumptions of science
forms a protective belt of hypothesis
Kuhnian paradigms
Revolutionary i.e. involves the abandonment of one theory and replace by another incompatible theory.
Feyerabend’s approach
There is no single scientific way of getting ideas.

13. 6.0 Accounting Theory Construction
A useful way to study & assess accounting theories is to classify them according to the assumptions they rely on, how they are formulated and their approach to explaining & predicting actual events.
Accounting theory classification:
Pragmatic
Syntactic
Semantic
Normative
Positive
Naturalistic

14. Accounting Theory Construction
THEORIES
EXPLANATION
Pragmatic Theories
Descriptive pragmatic approach
Observe behavior of accountants
Psychological pragmatic approach
Observe users’ responses to the accountants outputs i.e. financial reports
THEORIES
EXPLANATION
Normative Theories (1950s and 1960s)
How to derive the ‘true income’ for an accounting period
Type of information useful for economic decisions.
Positive Theories (1970s)
Testing theories back to the experiences or facts of the real world (to find the reasons)
i.e. questionnaires/survey
Alternative Naturalistic approaches
Tries to explain complex & unique situations using an unstructured approach.
Use case studies & individual experiences
Try not to generalize.
Syntactic
rely on logical argument based on a set of premise.
Semantic
how theories correspond to real-world events.

15. Accounting Theory Construction
Syntactic and Semantic Theories
A theory that has both syntactic and semantic element
E.g. historical cost:
Proponents:
Syntactic: Logic in the sense it is the value recorded on the day transaction is made
Semantic: The cost recorded based on real vouchers
Opponents:
Syntactic: Poor as different monetary measures are added
Semantic: Do not consider inflation and no independent empirically observable correspondent to concepts such as profit or assets.

16. Accounting Theory Construction
Issues for auditing theory construction
Development of a theory of accounting
Development of a theory of auditing
(lag in 1960s)
Early writers attempted to document the process of auditing and the duties of expected of auditors.

17. Development of Accounting Theory
Summary: Topic 2
Accounting theory
Definition:
Logical reasoning in the form of a set of broad principles to provide a general framework of reference by which accounting practice can be evaluated & guide the development of new practices and procedures.
Objective:
Explain current accounting practice evolved, suggest improvements & provide the basis for development of such practice.
Formulate:
Deductive: general to specific
Inductive: specific to general
Parts of Theory:
Syntactic .
Semantic
Pragmatic
Testing:
Dogmatic .
Self-evident
Scientific:
Syntactic
Induction
Falsification/Popper
Research program /Lakatos
Kuhnian
Feyeraband
Theory Construction:
Pragmatic – behavior of accountants & users of accounting information
Syntactic – rely on logical argument based on a set of premise.
Semantic – how theories correspond to real-world events.
Normative – rely both on semantic & syntactic approach.
Positive – test hypothesis against actual events.
Naturalistic – consider individual cases & try not to generalize.
Development of Accounting Theory
Pre-theory period ( )
General Scientific Period (1800 – 1955)
Normative Period (1956 – 1970)
Specific scientific theory/Positive Era (1970 –present)

18. TUTORIAL 2 (40 MARKS)
Q1 Useful theories must eventually relate to the real world. Using examples, please discuss THREE distinct relationships of theories which are: syntactic, semantic and pragmatic. [6 marks] Q2. Accounting theorist attempted to established norms for best practice during the normative period. While, specific scientific theory is to explain and predict accounting practice. i. Explain two groups dominated during the normative period. [4 marks] ii. Explain the reasons why the specific scientific theory arises. [6 marks]

19. TUTORIAL 2
Q3 Explain TWO (2) limitations of self evidence. Discuss with example.
[4 marks]
Q4 In your opinion, can accounting theory be constructed as a purely syntactical exercise without involvement by other approaches? Provide your reasoning.
Q5 Is it important to account for the effects of inflation on deriving the ‘true income’ in normative theory? Provide your reasoning [4 marks]
Q6 What role(s) can theory play in relation to accounting? Give an example [4 marks]
Q7 Explain FOUR (4) main differences between normative and positive theories [8 marks]