How we define accounting today and what defines accounting tomorrow are fundamental to the purpose, value and identity of the accountancy profession. In a recent article we review current definitions of accounting and propose a dialogue to develop a definition that is representative of accounting today and fit for purpose.  We are following other calls to define the accountant of tomorrow^[1] and propose that accounting can play a major role in answering the planet’s “big questions” and solving its “wicked problems”.  We argue this is crucial to the future of our profession.

Why is a definition necessary?

A good definition is concise, coherent and complete.  It conveys the fundamental meaning or state of something. A definition is a formal statement expressing the essential nature of something, as are the definitions of accounting, auditing and financial reporting.  The application of authoritative pronouncements of the independent standard setting boards related to the accountancy profession (IASB, IAASB, IPSASB and IESBA) for instance, depends fundamentally on the definitions provided for the common and clear use of words or terms in accounting, such as the definition of assets, liabilities, income, expenses, substance over form, professional judgement, scepticism and post-balance-date events.

The absence of meaningful, accurate and accepted definitions would have unfavourable implications for the effective application of accounting, auditing, ethical and accounting education pronouncements globally.  Accounting students of today and the future professional accountants, are educated in the fundamental facets of accounting as a professional discipline with strong reliance on suitable meaningful definitions, that are appropriate and current.

What is accounting today? 

We searched for common definitions of accounting developed by accounting educators and professional accountancy organisations (Carnegie et al, 2020).^[2] Our objective was to evaluate existing definitions and consider their appropriateness.   We found that they do not reflect the essential nature of accounting.  We proposed discussion and debate in order to develop a meaningful and suitable definition of accounting for the 21^st century and suggested a working definition to start the process.  We did not set out to define the “practice of accounting”, such as in terms of what professional accountants actually do, an endeavour that has been pursued by others. Like the Institute of Management Accountants^[3], we suggest that the behaviours of professional accountants and their evaluation should be based on the definition of accounting.

Underpinning most of key definitions of accounting is that delivered long ago by the American Institute of Accountants (now the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants): defining accounting as “… the art of recording, classifying, and summarizing in a significant manner and in terms of money, transactions and events which are, in part at least, of a financial character, and interpreting the results thereof” (American Institute of Accountants, 1953, p. 9). 

Another longstanding definition of accounting by the American Accounting Association (1966) is premised on the notion of “decision-usefulness” of the accounting process: “Accounting is the process of identifying, measuring and communicating economic information to permit informed judgments and decisions by users of information”.

Today, the definition of accounting on Wikipedia is “the measurement, processing, and communication of financial and non-financial information about economic entities such as businesses and corporations”.^[4]  This definition also focusses attention on the use and reporting of non-financial information primarily for “businesses and corporations”.

Specialist institutes of management accountants, such as the IMA and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), have focused on defining management accounting.  The IMA, for example, defines management accounting as “a profession that involves partnering in management decision making, devising planning and performance management systems, and providing expertise in financial reporting and control to assist management in the formulation and implementation of an organization’s strategy.”^[5] However, given management accounting is a key part of the accountancy profession, its definition should also be aligned with its overall purpose and objectives. 

We are long overdue for a review and revision of the definition of accounting to answer the question “What defines accounting of tomorrow?”.  Like Prinsloo (2020), we agree that the accountancy profession can “build on its strong foundations [and its long history], evolve the skills of its members and become even more central to a high-functioning society” (third para).  Compared to the typical definitions of accounting, the profession needs to understand and present accounting as much more than mere technical practice.^[6] Accounting is more than the “means of accounting” or “the doing of accounting”, these already being “hyper-developed” (Carnegie, Parker and Tsahuridu, 2020).   

Key conceptions of accounting

Conceptions of accounting have broadened as its impacts and implications have been addressed by contemporary and historical accounting researchers since the 1980s.  In addition to the abovementioned technical practice definitions, accounting is now recognised as a “social practice” (i.e., what does accounting do?)  and a “moral practice” (i.e., what should accounting do?) (see, for instance, Tsahuridu and Carnegie, 2018, Carnegie and Tsahuridu, 2019^[7] and Carnegie et al (2020). A technical practice (i.e., how to do accounting?) approach to defining and perceiving accounting fails to recognise accounting’s impacts on organisational and social functioning and sustainable development.  

At accounting’s core, ethics should be reflected in the definition of accounting.  Accounting shapes and affects lives and is exercised by moral agents. It is an ethical and social practice.  While few within, or outside the profession appear to disagree, the definition of accounting has not shifted to reflect this proposition. Our proposition follows. .

What defines accounting of the future?

Current or new definitions of accounting, in our perspective, need to recognise and reflect the multi-faceted conception of accounting as a technical, social and moral practice more proactively.  We agree that this is a key starting point if accounting is to help shape and create a better world for all forms of life on planet earth. Importantly, this step will also support attempts to depict “what defines the accountant of tomorrow?” (Prinsloo, 2020).  Therefore, our position is consistent with that of Prinsloo.

We have endeavoured to focus the proposed definition of accounting on its place in the world and broaden its boundaries to reflect its responsibilities and influence, including sustainability and sustainable development, and all stakeholders, including the natural environment, rather than a prime or sole focus on shareholders.

 For discussion and debate, we propose a potential definition of accounting for consideration:

Accounting is a technical, social and moral practice concerned with the sustainable utilisation of resources and proper accountability to stakeholders to enable the flourishing of organisations, people and nature (Carnegie et al, 2020).

While other proposed definitions in future may also prove suitable, we put forward a definition of accounting that takes us beyond historical limitations, brings us into the 21^st century, includes nature and the environment among stakeholders, and engages with the full dimensions of accounting as an enabling, disenabling and pervasive practice as has emerged in recent decades and reflects the discipline’s growing interdisciplinary orientation.

We look forward to this topic gathering more attention and thought leadership contributions during the remainder of 2021 and building on the example set by Prinsloo (2020).  Such contributions can only assist in focusing attention on ensuring that “today’s accountant will be ready to lead tomorrow” and for the profession to help create a better world, or being even more ambitious, for our profession to help save the world^[8].  Definitions are important. It is only right that we get this sorted for the future of the accountancy profession and its professionals. Tolerating tired or outdated technicist definitions of accounting does not project a vibrant, forward-looking profession operating in the difficult early 2020s global conditions.