This paper reviews the principal candidates for bases of measurement in financial reporting - historical cost, value to the business (also known as deprival value or current cost), fair value, realisable value, and value in use - explains how they work, and discusses their advantages and...

The paper summarises the development of the economic theory of the firm, with particular reference to the work of Knight, Coase and Williamson, and examines its potential relevance to questions of measurement in financial reporting. Based on differences between firms' business models, and...

The report explains why accounting is not a purely mechanical activity, but is affected by the incentives of those involved in the accounting process and by surrounding institutions, which help shape incentives and facilitate and constrain managers' actions. It looks at the principal factors...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a discussion of Brian Rutherford’s paper “Articulating accounting principles: classical accounting theory as the pursuit of ‘explanation by embodiment’”. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on the author’s experience of...