Tonya K. Flesher

Managerial accounting in an early 19th century German-American religious commune

Abstract Managerial accounting is a product of its environment. Consequently, different forms of societal organizations will have differnet levels of sophistication in their accounting systems. This is evidenced by the accounting system of the Harmonists, a communistic religious society on the Indiana frontier (1814–1824). Whereas most of American society consisted of individual merchants, craftsmen and farmers, the Harmonists had an integrated economy with everyone working for the common welfare. The Harmony conglomerate necessitated a system with greater sophistication than those in other parts of America.

Tax concepts and their importance in the undergraduate curriculum

Abstract Accounting and tax education groups have stressed the need to teach the undergraduate tax courses in a more conceptual manner. However, no conceptual framework for the taxation system has been developed. This exploratory study was conducted to survey the opinions of tax professionals regarding tax concepts and their general acceptance. The concepts identified in this study should serve as the foundation of an orderly theoretical structure for taxation. Finally, the results revealed that the normative concepts are stressed by tax educators in teaching the basic tax course, although in varying degrees of emphasis.

Library resources for studying accounting history: A research note

The University of Mississippi offers many resources for studying the history of the accounting profession around the world. The accountancy library holdings are the largest of any library in the world, including virtually everything published in English during the past century, and many earlier items. In addition to tens of thousands of books and over 1,000 accounting and finance journal titles, there are tens of thousands of pamphlets, speeches, committee reports, photos, and courtroom documents that exist at no other library in the world. There are also hundreds of archival collections of old business records that serve as primary resources for all kinds of accounting research. The J.D. Williams Library at the University of Mississippi is truly the international center of accounting research, and many of its resources are available on the Internet to anyone within reach of a computer. The purpose of the article is to describe the various accounting library collections with particular emphasis on the research resources available internationally through the Internet.

Lessons for Policy Makers from the History of Consumption Taxes

A consumption-based tax system has attracted a variety of supporters, including proponents of tax simplification and policy makers in search of more or alternative revenue sources. Such a system could involve the use of a value-added tax (VAT) or a sales tax. Policy makers and legislators should consider the history of the background of the VAT. A cursory review of the development of sales taxes is presented as a background for the problems that might be encountered in adopting the VAT. This review of the historical development shows that there are numerous and complex issues requiring careful study.

Bonus depreciation incentives: The impact on general aviation aircraft

The use of corporate aircraft has increased as businesses place more value on ease of mobility. The bonus depreciation incentives of 2002 and 2003 provided growth opportunities for the general aviation market by allowing accelerated depreciation deductions for the purchase of new corporate aircraft. These incentives allowed more than twice the traditional MACRS allowance for depreciation for the first year of operation of an asset, but the present value of the tax savings after the full depreciable life of the corporate aircraft only generated a 3.25 percent reduction in the after-tax-cost. This study documents that the bonus depreciation incentives did not generate significant growth in the general aviation aircraft market via increased production of aircraft. These incentives may have simply slowed the recession that might have taken place in this industry otherwise. However, the incentives in this study did play a significant role in determining which type of aircraft to purchase, piston or turbine.

A STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS ON MAJOR TAX REFORM: AGRICULTURE AND THE 1913 INCOME TAX LAW

Farmers have benefited from unique tax treatment since the beginning of the income tax law. This paper explores agricultural influences on the passage of the income tax in 1913, using both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The results show that agricultural interests were influential in the development and passage of tax/tariff laws. The percentage of congressmen with agricultural ties explains the strong affection for agriculture. Discussion in congressional debates and in agricultural journals was passionate and patriotic in support of equity for farmers. The quantitative analysis reveals that the percentage farm population was a significant predictor of passage of the 16th Amendment by the states and of adoption of state income taxes in the 20th century.

Is Accountancy a Profession? Implications for Education

Publisher Summary This chapter described the importance of accountancy as profession and its implications for education. Accounting education may well be at a critical point in determining its image as the accounting professions image is at a crossroads. Accounting taught as a subset of business would require that a student study the common body of business knowledge, and pursues an MBA degree at the graduate level. The college graduate would enroll in a school of accountancy, and pursue a Master of Accountancy, or Tax degree, or perhaps a professional doctorate like law, or pharmacy. The education base of the business major will be primarily business with various ranges of liberal arts courses required at different institutions. In contrast, a professional school of accountancy would attract students who are not just trained in liberal arts courses because they were required, but students who elected to concentrate on liberal arts studies because of their mindset. Faculty in a professional school of accountancy would have independence in faculty governance, and in setting standards for research, tenure, and promotion.