Further Thoughts on Mega-Accounting and the Need for Standards

This paper continues previous research (Mathews 1984, 1997b, 2000a, 2000b, 2003) into developing a proposal for a system of comprehensive reporting based on a concept called megaaccounting. The ideas in mega- accounting are similar to those behind GRI (2002) and triple bottom line (TBL) reporting (E...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: M. R. Mathews
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sebelas Maret University 2008-12-01
Series:Issues in Social and Environmental Accounting
Subjects:
Online Access:http://isea.icseard.uns.ac.id/index.php/isea/article/view/30
_version_ 1811192247873437696
author M. R. Mathews
author_facet M. R. Mathews
author_sort M. R. Mathews
collection DOAJ
description This paper continues previous research (Mathews 1984, 1997b, 2000a, 2000b, 2003) into developing a proposal for a system of comprehensive reporting based on a concept called megaaccounting. The ideas in mega- accounting are similar to those behind GRI (2002) and triple bottom line (TBL) reporting (Elkington 1997), but with a different underlying  philosophy, a social contract approach compared to one based on organisational legitimacy or the need for management to drive sustainability and sustainable capitalism which is sometimes called ‗the business case‘. The paper attempts to develop the concept of mega- accounting by identifying the purpose underlying the reports, identifying the basis of a conceptual framework and providing an indication of the content that social and environmental accounting reports may include in the future. Of necessity the research perspective is normative and deductive, as is much of the process of developing accounting standards, the model upon which it is argued social and environmental accounting should be based. The paper concludes by reiterating that the way forward for social and environmental accounting and reporting is for a conceptual framework to be agreed and standards developed via a normative-pragmatic process that will provide the basis for comprehensive, audited, corporate reports encompassing the social, environmental and economic dimension.  Furthermore, additional work is needed on the areas of macro-social accounting and externalities in order to develop a comprehensive framework.
first_indexed 2024-04-11T23:49:24Z
format Article
id doaj.art-101e35b30c8d40eb82deafe1fac0e1ff
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1978-0591
2460-6081
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-11T23:49:24Z
publishDate 2008-12-01
publisher Sebelas Maret University
record_format Article
series Issues in Social and Environmental Accounting
spelling doaj.art-101e35b30c8d40eb82deafe1fac0e1ff2022-12-22T03:56:31ZengSebelas Maret UniversityIssues in Social and Environmental Accounting1978-05912460-60812008-12-012215817510.22164/isea.v2i2.3030Further Thoughts on Mega-Accounting and the Need for StandardsM. R. Mathews0Faculty of Business Charles Sturt UniversityThis paper continues previous research (Mathews 1984, 1997b, 2000a, 2000b, 2003) into developing a proposal for a system of comprehensive reporting based on a concept called megaaccounting. The ideas in mega- accounting are similar to those behind GRI (2002) and triple bottom line (TBL) reporting (Elkington 1997), but with a different underlying  philosophy, a social contract approach compared to one based on organisational legitimacy or the need for management to drive sustainability and sustainable capitalism which is sometimes called ‗the business case‘. The paper attempts to develop the concept of mega- accounting by identifying the purpose underlying the reports, identifying the basis of a conceptual framework and providing an indication of the content that social and environmental accounting reports may include in the future. Of necessity the research perspective is normative and deductive, as is much of the process of developing accounting standards, the model upon which it is argued social and environmental accounting should be based. The paper concludes by reiterating that the way forward for social and environmental accounting and reporting is for a conceptual framework to be agreed and standards developed via a normative-pragmatic process that will provide the basis for comprehensive, audited, corporate reports encompassing the social, environmental and economic dimension.  Furthermore, additional work is needed on the areas of macro-social accounting and externalities in order to develop a comprehensive framework.http://isea.icseard.uns.ac.id/index.php/isea/article/view/30Mega accounting, social and environmental accounting and reporting, standards for disclosure, Triple Bottom Line (TBL), GRI Guideline.
spellingShingle M. R. Mathews
Further Thoughts on Mega-Accounting and the Need for Standards
Issues in Social and Environmental Accounting
Mega accounting, social and environmental accounting and reporting, standards for disclosure, Triple Bottom Line (TBL), GRI Guideline.
title Further Thoughts on Mega-Accounting and the Need for Standards
title_full Further Thoughts on Mega-Accounting and the Need for Standards
title_fullStr Further Thoughts on Mega-Accounting and the Need for Standards
title_full_unstemmed Further Thoughts on Mega-Accounting and the Need for Standards
title_short Further Thoughts on Mega-Accounting and the Need for Standards
title_sort further thoughts on mega accounting and the need for standards
topic Mega accounting, social and environmental accounting and reporting, standards for disclosure, Triple Bottom Line (TBL), GRI Guideline.
url http://isea.icseard.uns.ac.id/index.php/isea/article/view/30
work_keys_str_mv AT mrmathews furtherthoughtsonmegaaccountingandtheneedforstandards