Development of accounting science in the light of economic and social transformations

Abstract

Introduction. One of the integral components of human economic life is economic accounting – a system of creating information about economic activity, which proves the history and genesis of the accounting science development. The study of theoretical and methodological approaches to the functioning of accounting in the past and the assessment of current practices through the prism of the transformation of the social system will predict the development of accounting science and practice in the future.Goal. To identify the impact of economic and social transformations of mankind on the development of accounting as a science and practice. To analyse the historical transformations of the reflection of production and accounting processes in society, to define the concept of «accounting» not only as a phenomenon, but also to understand its deep essence, to identify trends in the development of accounting activities.Research methods.The main research methods were general scientific empirical, logical and historical methods of cognition of socio-economic processes, historical and monographic analysis, logical method, methods of comparison and extrapolation, as well as methods of grouping, generalization and classification, systemic and structural approaches. Collectively, the research methods used allowed to draw reliable conclusions and recommendations. Results. The dependence of the development of accounting practice and methodology on social formations, economic transformations and user needs is proved. There are three stages of change in accounting theory, which are characterized by «accounting revolutions» by analogy with the industrial and scientific revolutions. The genesis of the development of post-industrial society allowed us to conclude that in the middle of the twentieth century. the basic methodological principles of the new formation system are formed, different from the traditional industrialism, which are accompanied by a qualitative change in the place of theoretical knowledge and information in society and economic life. Based on the analysis of trends in the development of accounting knowledge, a forecast of its development in post-industrial society is made.Perspectives. We see the prospects for the development of accounting science and methodology in its reorientation to the internal needs of enterprise management, which requires a creative and innovative approach to creating information resources, obtaining management information and forecasting.