Prepared by Arabella Volkov University of Southern Queensland

1. Prepared by Arabella Volkov University of Southern Queensland

2. References Text – Chapter 3 Accounting theory construction

3. Learning Objectives At the conclusion of this lecture, you should have an appreciation of: • how pragmatic approaches to theory development apply to accounting • criticisms that have been levelled at historical cost accounting as a theoretical model • normative true income theories andthe decision-usefulness approach

4. Learning Objectives At the conclusion of this lecture, you should have an appreciation of: • how positive accounting theories are constructed • alternative naturalistic approaches and the importance of ontology • misconceptions associated with scientific approaches to accounting research, and why they are misconceptions

5. Pragmatic theories • Descriptive pragmatics • observe behaviour of accountants • inductive approach • no logical assessment of actions • does not allow for change • Psychological pragmatics • observe reactions of users

6. Syntactic and semantic theories • Semantic inputs (recorded transactions) • Vouchers • Journals • Ledgers

7. Syntactic and semantic theories • Historical cost criticisms • Poor syntax (different monetary measures added) • Semantic deficiencies • Semantic inputs • Manipulated on the basis of the premises and assumptions of historical cost model

8. Syntactic and semantic theories • No empirical verification of outputs • different acceptable accounting techniques Fixed assets should be carried at cost…in historical accounts, unless such cost is no longer meaningful. (Chambers)

9. Normative theories • 1950s and 1960s ‘golden age’ • policy recommendations • what should be • concentrated on: • true income • decision-usefulness • based on analytic and empirical propositions Financial statements should mean what they say

10. Accounting system of company X Prediction model of user Decision model of user The decision process Normative theories Decision usefulness

11. Positive theories • ‘experiences’ or ‘facts’ of the real world • explaining reasons for current practice • predicting the role of accounting information in decision-making

12. Different perspectives • scientific approach vs. ‘naturalistic’ research CATEGORY ASSUMPTION 1. Reality as a concrete structure 2. Reality as a concrete process 3. Reality as a contextual field of information 4. Reality as a symbolic discourse 5. Reality as a social construction 6. Reality as projection of human imagination

13. Different perspectives

14. Scientific approach applied to accounting Misconceptions of purpose • Scientists out of accounting practitioners? • Researcher v. practitioner • Assumption of ‘absolute truth’ • Scientific method attempts to description, explanation and/or prediction

15. Key terms and concepts • Positive • Normative • Pragmatic • Historical cost • Ontology • Theoretical model

16. Summary • Many different approaches to theory formulation in accounting • Evolution of accounting theory • positive v. normative • scientific v. naturalistic

17. Where to get more information • Other courses • Accounting Handbook • SACs 1-4 • List books • Articles • Electronic sources