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Activity-based techniques and the death of the beancounter

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  • Andrew L. Friedman
  • Stephen R. Lyne

Abstract

In a study of eleven medium and large sized companies we found clear evidence that management accountants were seen by operational managers as 'beancounters'. This term has become common in the literature in recent years and we define a beancounter as, 'an accountant who produces financial information which is regarded as of little use in efficiently running the business and, as a result, its production has become an end in itself.' Furthermore many management accountants recognized this image. All of the companies had attempted to implement activity-based techniques and this process had led to a substantial improvement in the beancounter image. We propose three scenarios for the future of activity-based techniques and the management accountants' image as a beancounter. These are based on our understanding of the history of management accounting and trends that have been visible in recent years. Further we suggest the most likely contingent variables which may lead to one or other of the scenarios becoming reality. Some of the scenarios are more likely to occur in the short or medium term, whereas others are long term possibilities. We conclude with our own view on the likely future for activity-based techniques, suggesting that there is a promising future for these techniques in the medium term.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew L. Friedman & Stephen R. Lyne, 1997. "Activity-based techniques and the death of the beancounter," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(1), pages 19-44, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:euract:v:6:y:1997:i:1:p:19-44
    DOI: 10.1080/096381897336854
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Janne Järvinen, 2009. "Shifting NPM agendas and management accountants' occupational identities," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 22(8), pages 1187-1210, October.
    2. Toomas Haldma & Kertu Laats, 2002. "Influencing Contingencies On Management Accounting Practices In Estonian Manufacturing Companies," University of Tartu - Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Working Paper Series 13, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Tartu (Estonia).
    3. Marie-Andrée Caron & Hugues Boisvert & Alexander Mersereau, 2008. "La Pratique Du Comptable Professionnel En Organisation : Inertie Du Stéréotype Ou Expérimenter L'Incertain?," Post-Print halshs-00522425, HAL.
    4. Sèna John-Ahyee, 2012. "La stabilité des activités des contrôleurs de gestion est-elle paradoxale?," Post-Print hal-00690976, HAL.
    5. repec:dau:papers:123456789/14570 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. David Emsley & Lai Hong Chung, 2010. "How Management Accountants' Cognitive Style and Role Involvement Combine to Affect the Effort Devoted to Initiating Change," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 46(3), pages 232-257, September.
    7. Pan, Peipei & Perera, Hector, 2012. "Market relevance of university accounting programs: Evidence from Australia," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 91-108.
    8. Sophie Hoozée & Falconer Mitchell, 2018. "Who Influences the Design of Management Accounting Systems? An Exploratory Study," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 28(3), pages 374-390, September.
    9. Anna-Maija Lantto, 2014. "Business Involvement in Accounting: A Case Study of International Financial Reporting Standards Adoption and the Work of Accountants," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(2), pages 335-356, June.
    10. Marc Bollecker, 2009. "Contrôleur de gestion : une fonction en danger ?," Post-Print halshs-00456209, HAL.
    11. Oesterreich, Thuy Duong & Teuteberg, Frank & Bensberg, Frank & Buscher, Gandalf, 2019. "The controlling profession in the digital age: Understanding the impact of digitisation on the controller's job roles, skills and competences," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 35(C).
    12. Alan Graham & Susan Davey‐Evans & Ian Toon, 2012. "The developing role of the financial controller: evidence from the UK," Journal of Applied Accounting Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 13(1), pages 71-88, May.
    13. Robert Rieg, 2018. "Tasks, interaction and role perception of management accountants: evidence from Germany," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 183-220, August.
    14. Lukka, K., 1998. "Total accounting in action: reflections on sten jonsson's accounting for improvement," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 333-342, April.
    15. Aldo Pavan & Isabella Fadda, 2017. "Increasing the value of accounting research: An Italian perspective," FINANCIAL REPORTING, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2017(2), pages 29-42.
    16. Julie Demaret & Jérôme Méric, 2013. "La Constitution De La Legitimite Des Controleurs De Gestion : Une Etude Exploratoire," Post-Print hal-00991887, HAL.
    17. Bo Karlsson & Monika Kurkkio & Anders Hersinger, 2019. "The role of the controller in strategic capital investment projects: bridging the gap of multiple topoi," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 23(3), pages 813-838, September.
    18. Marc Bollecker, 2010. "La Socialisation Des Contrôleurs De Gestion : L'Importance De La Compatibilite Des Cultures Professionnelles," Post-Print hal-00479525, HAL.
    19. Sven Modell, 2002. "Institutional perspectives on cost allocations: integration and extension," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(4), pages 653-679.
    20. Marc Bollecker, 2007. "Les Publications Europeennes Et Americaines Sur Les Contrôleurs De Gestion : Un Essai De Synthese," Post-Print halshs-00522301, HAL.
    21. Samantha Warren & Lee Parker, 2009. "Bean counters or bright young things?," Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 6(4), pages 205-223, October.
    22. Morales, Jérémy & Lambert, Caroline, 2013. "Dirty work and the construction of identity. An ethnographic study of management accounting practices," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 228-244.

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