Accounting and the business economics tradition in Germany

Abstract

From the German point of view, accounting is a very important part of business economics. However, in order to understand the theoretical development of accounting in Germany during the twentieth century, it is necessary to identify the influences of the social, economic and legal environment on business economics in general and accounting in particular. Much business economics has emphasized microeconomic theory, but this ignores the problems of organization, and the institutional aspects of the business world. Financial accounting in particular cannot be understood in Germany without reference to legal rules and tradition. Although theorizing about accounting may have been the main root of the business economics tradition in Germany, other aspects of business economics have developed, and it has not been possible to construct a common theoretical foundation covering all aspects of business economics. Hence, it is necessary to study the development of German accounting theory and practice on its own terms.