Accounting is not a science like physics as accounting rules are man-made and not the results of natural phenomena. Accounting is also not purely technical and value free discipline like computing as accountants used judgements in their works. Accounting is not merely bookkeeping and only recording of financial transactions as accountants also measures and values assets and liabilities. Accounting process also communicates financial information and interpreted by users of information, who are also human beings.
So what really is accounting?
Accounting, most likely, is a social science. The accounting rules are determined by accountants and regulators. Accountants and regulators are human beings and need to be understood. Accountants used judgements in measuring and valuing assets and liabilities. As human being, accountants are not value free. Accountants will be influenced by their background, education and some time culture. How about the religion or belief of the accountants. Will religion or belief influenced accountants' rules and judgements?
Many past studies have proved that accountants' works and judgements are being influenced by their beliefs, values or/and religion. If you are keen to know this fact you can google some of the past studies including my PhD thesis and my other papers on this subject matter. However, some studies have proven that beliefs, values and religion did not influence accountants. Could it be that human beings including accountants now are more secularised? Could it be that accountants have been trained to follow rules and used less judgements? Are accounting policies today are highly regulated and less opportunities for accountants to reflect?
On another note, in developing Islamic accounting theory, we need to explore many possibilities. One of my PhD student is trying to prove that the religiosity of Muslim accountants influence accountants' judgements. She examined the religiosity using questionnaire survey and examined the intention of accountants in potential fraudulent financial reporting. Let us wait for her findings soon.
Who said Islamic accounting theory development is purely qualitative? We can study using quantitative method on many potential accounting problems to develop Islamic accounting theory. As I mentioned in my earlier posting Islamic accounting theory can be "what it should be" (normative and qualitative) or "what it is" (quantitative and positivist). The study on the impact of religious values and culture can be done qualitatively and as well quantitatively. Methodologies do not matter. What really matter is to find the truth in whatever way possible. Are we ready?
So what really is accounting?
Accounting, most likely, is a social science. The accounting rules are determined by accountants and regulators. Accountants and regulators are human beings and need to be understood. Accountants used judgements in measuring and valuing assets and liabilities. As human being, accountants are not value free. Accountants will be influenced by their background, education and some time culture. How about the religion or belief of the accountants. Will religion or belief influenced accountants' rules and judgements?
Many past studies have proved that accountants' works and judgements are being influenced by their beliefs, values or/and religion. If you are keen to know this fact you can google some of the past studies including my PhD thesis and my other papers on this subject matter. However, some studies have proven that beliefs, values and religion did not influence accountants. Could it be that human beings including accountants now are more secularised? Could it be that accountants have been trained to follow rules and used less judgements? Are accounting policies today are highly regulated and less opportunities for accountants to reflect?
On another note, in developing Islamic accounting theory, we need to explore many possibilities. One of my PhD student is trying to prove that the religiosity of Muslim accountants influence accountants' judgements. She examined the religiosity using questionnaire survey and examined the intention of accountants in potential fraudulent financial reporting. Let us wait for her findings soon.
Who said Islamic accounting theory development is purely qualitative? We can study using quantitative method on many potential accounting problems to develop Islamic accounting theory. As I mentioned in my earlier posting Islamic accounting theory can be "what it should be" (normative and qualitative) or "what it is" (quantitative and positivist). The study on the impact of religious values and culture can be done qualitatively and as well quantitatively. Methodologies do not matter. What really matter is to find the truth in whatever way possible. Are we ready?
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