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The Origins of the Spanish Railroad Accounting Model: A Qualitative Study of the MZA's Operating Account (1856-1874)

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  • Santos-Cabalgante, Beatriz
  • Fidalgo-Cerviño, Esther
  • Santos-Cebrian, Mónica

Abstract

The lack of external regulation about the form and substance of the financial statements that railroad companies had to report during the implementation phase of the Spanish railway, meant that each company developed its own accounting model. In this study we have described, analysed and interpreted the more relevant changes in the accounting information in relation to the business result. Using the analysis of an historical case, we developed an ad-hoc research tool, for recording all the changes of the operating account. The results of the study prove that MZA’s operating account reflected the particularities of the railway business although subject to limitations, and the reported information improved during the study period in terms of relevance and reliability.

Suggested Citation

  • Santos-Cabalgante, Beatriz & Fidalgo-Cerviño, Esther & Santos-Cebrian, Mónica, 2013. "The Origins of the Spanish Railroad Accounting Model: A Qualitative Study of the MZA's Operating Account (1856-1874)," MPRA Paper 66109, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:66109
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hernández Esteve, Esteban, 2010. "La Historia de la Contabilidad, vía privilegiada de aproximación a la investigación histórica: Cuentas de los fondos recibidos por la Factoría General de los Reinos de España para financiar la guerra ," De Computis "Revista Española de Historia de la Contabilidad". De Computis "Spanish Journal of Accounting History"., Asociación Española de Contabilidad y Administración de Empresas (AECA). Spanish Accounting and Business Administration Association., issue 13, pages 278-557, December.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Railway Accounting; MZA Railway; Operating Account; Railway Productive Process;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • N73 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Europe: Pre-1913

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