Knowledge that Transforms

Abstract Objective examinations in accounting are a subject on which a good many people seem to have very definite and adverse, opinions. Perhaps the objective examination is usually thought of as consisting of a more or less formal list of true-or-false questions; and when the material of an accounting course does not seem to be particularly well adapted to this type of question, the conclusion is easily reached that the objective examination has little place in accounting. The object of this paper is, among other things, to suggest some of the possible forms that the objective examination in accounting may take in order to cure the difficulties of the true-or-false question. It may be that with adequate variety in the testing devices the objective examination may appear feasible as a testing device, if not positively desirable. An objective test in accounting has been defined as a test designed to cover a large amount of material, to have a large number of questions requiring very brief answers, the answers to each unit being the same for every student who answers the questions correctly.

Abstract Reviews the book "Business Statistics," by Martin A. Brumbaugh and Lester S. Kellogg.

Abstract The article focuses on a symposium on various accounting principles underlying corporate financial statement. Those who have been charged with responsibility for activities of the American Accounting Association and its predecessor during the last 15 years frequently have occasion to recall the annual meeting held six years ago. For nearly ten years various members had proposed a restatement of aims and purposes of the association: a broadening of its expressed scope to cover the range of activities in which it seemed actually to be engaging and a more direct participation in practical affairs where national associations up to that date had seemed to be devices for the protection and defense of members, rather than mediums for the clarification and expansion of their fields of endeavor. Among other things, the devising of unequivocal statements of professional principles and policies had been suggested as a major project, notwithstanding that the normal interests of the association had been variously described as belonging to the realm of theory, pure science and academic narrowness.

Abstract In discussing the role of accounts in the administration of the affairs of the United States Government, the author talks about the history and development of accounts and the relation of Federal accounting to business accounting. It is indeed encouraging that the President of the United States and the Director of the U.S. Bureau of the Budget are committed to a comprehensive program of placing the accounts of the Federal Government upon a sound basis, which would compare favorably with those of commerce and industry. It is the author's fervent hope that the program will so commend itself to the U.S. Congress during the coming session that the Legislative branch of the Government will give its support and encouragement to those officers in the Executive branch who are desirous of providing the Congress and the American people with more informative over-all financial statements relating to the operations and condition of the Government. The author commends to readers thoughtful consideration a careful examination of the basic principles prescribed in Executive Order No. 8512, and would welcome their suggestions with respect to their application to the accounting and reporting procedures of the Federal Government.