The perseverance of Pacioli's goods inventory accounting system

Stoner, G. (2011) The perseverance of Pacioli's goods inventory accounting system. Accounting History, 16(3), pp. 313-329. (doi: 10.1177/1032373211405479)

Abstract

This paper details sources of the 'undoubtedly strange' (Yamey, 1994a, p.119) system of goods inventory records described in Pacioli’s 1494 bookkeeping treatise and traces the longevity and widespread use of this early perpetual inventory recording (EPIR) system in English language texts. By doing so and contrasting this system with the bookkeeping treatment of modern texts, it is shown that the EPIR system persisted as the dominant form of goods inventory accounting for between 400 and 500 years and that the reasons for its demise are worthy of further consideration and research.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stoner, Professor Greg
• Authors: Stoner, G.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5601 Accounting
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Accounting and Finance
• Journal Name: Accounting History
• Publisher: Sage Publications
• ISSN: 1032-3732
• ISSN (Online): 1749-3374
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2011 Sage Publications
• First Published: First published in Accounting History 16(3):313-329
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher