Accounting: A Critical View and the Path to the Future

A Critical Look at Traditional Accounting

Traditional accounting practices have long been criticized for their narrow focus on financial reporting and their failure to take into account the broader social and environmental impacts of business activities. This book provides a comprehensive critique of traditional accounting, arguing that it is no longer fit for purpose in the 21st century.

The authors argue that traditional accounting is based on a number of flawed assumptions, including the assumption that businesses are separate from society and the environment, and that the only goal of business is to maximize shareholder value. These assumptions have led to a system of accounting that is biased towards short-term profits and that fails to take into account the long-term consequences of business activities.

The book also highlights the role of accounting in perpetuating social and environmental injustices. For example, traditional accounting practices often fail to account for the unpaid labor of women and minorities, and they can also be used to justify environmental degradation.

The Path to a More Sustainable Accounting System

The book concludes by outlining a path to a more sustainable accounting system. This system would be based on the following principles:

• Sustainability: Accounting should take into account the full range of social and environmental impacts of business activities, not just the financial impacts.
• Transparency: Accounting should be transparent and easy to understand, so that stakeholders can make informed decisions about the companies they invest in or do business with.
• Accountability: Accounting should hold businesses accountable for their social and environmental impacts, and it should provide incentives for businesses to behave in a sustainable manner.

The book argues that a more sustainable accounting system is essential for creating a more just and sustainable economy. By providing a comprehensive critique of traditional accounting and outlining a path to a more sustainable system, this book makes a valuable contribution to the debate about the future of accounting.

Why You Should Read This Book

If you are interested in accounting, sustainability, or the future of business, then this book is a must-read. It provides a comprehensive and thought-provoking critique of traditional accounting, and it offers a clear path to a more sustainable accounting system.

This book is essential reading for:

• Accountants
• Business leaders
• Investors
• Policymakers
• Anyone interested in sustainability

How to Purchase This Book

This book is available for purchase from the following retailers:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• IndieBound
• Your local bookstore

You can also purchase the book directly from the publisher, the Regional Council of Accounting of São Paulo.