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Researching the absence of professional organisation in Victorian England

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  • John Richard Edwards

Abstract

Professionalisation is a major research focus of accounting historians, with particular attention paid to circumstances attending the formation and spread of accounting associations. This paper adds a new dimension to such research by examining the failure of public accountants to create a professional body in circumstances that appear conducive to organisational formation whether viewed from a functionalist or critical perspective. It is argued that strategies adopted by Bristol's leading public accountants enabled them to achieve economic and social advance in the absence of organisational formation. Of importance was how they positioned themselves in Bristol society through geographical location, the political, philanthropic and religious networks that connected them to the governing elite, and devices employed for publicising their services. Also relevant was their association with key venues where professionals and businessmen met to discuss commercial affairs. No inconsistency is revealed between the failure of Bristol's leading accountants to form a professional association in the 1870s and their enthusiastic embrace of chartered status following formation of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales in 1880.

Suggested Citation

  • John Richard Edwards, 2010. "Researching the absence of professional organisation in Victorian England," Accounting History Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(2), pages 177-208.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:acbsfi:v:20:y:2010:i:2:p:177-208
    DOI: 10.1080/09585206.2010.485748
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    Cited by:

    1. Poullaos, Chris, 2016. "Canada vs Britain in the imperial accountancy arena, 1908–1912: Symbolic capital, symbolic violence," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 47-63.
    2. Ramirez, Carlos & Zicari, Adrián, 2024. "Between a corporatist past and a globalised future: Argentina's accounting profession and the social balance sheet," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    3. O'Regan, Philip & Killian, Sheila, 2021. "Beyond professional closure: Uncovering the hidden history of plain accountants," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).

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