Abstract The article discusses the investigation of accounting records. During an investigation of business records preserved in the manuscript section of the Baker Library at Harvard University Graduate School of Business, an early 19th century accounting primer was discovered. Various bookkeeping records and accounting procedures of mercantile companies operating during that period are outlined in the text. The book proved intrinsically interesting and also afforded the writer a useful guide to record keeping methods of early merchants. The purposes of this article are to describe the contents of the primer, to comment upon certain recording procedures of the early 1800's and to gain some insight into accounting methodology in the United States during this period. The value of the primer described in this paper is two-fold. First, the book is a valuable example of accounting instruction in the United States during the early 1800's. As such, it deserves recognition and preservation as an example of the evolution of accounting education and practice in the U.S. Second; students of business history would find the primer a useful preliminary study prior to examination of records of 19th century American businesses.

Abstract The purpose of this article is to discover a theoretically sound model of asset valuation by reference to the basic underlying concept of financial position. It will be shown that several models of asset valuation can be developed from alternative assumptions or definitions of financial position, but that the application of certain metaphysical constraints brings about the rejection of some of these models. The article falls into two parts. Firstly, the financial position assumption and thus the asset valuation model considered theoretically sound and relevant to the environment of accounting will be developed. Secondly, the often-avoided realm of practice will be ventured into in order to subject the model to the constraint of objectivity. These two areas, while complementary to each other, would be seen as quite distinct parts of the development of theory and the application of that theory. It is seen that the need for objectivity in published reports is not a determinant of the theoretical model but rather a constraint on the application of theory. It is anticipated, then, that responses to this article will also be critical of the theoretical laying the model chosen and modification of that model under the constraint of objectivity.

Abstract Focuses on a project by the American Accounting Association's Committees on Professional Examinations which evaluated the professional examinations for accountants. Objectives of the project; Methodology of the projects; Comparison of examinations and accounting curricula; Recommendations.