Inflation Accounting: An Introduction to the Debate

by Geoffrey Whittington

Overview

This book provides a clear and concise summary of the present state of the theory of inflation accounting for students and practitioners. It describes all of the main alternative methods of inflation accounting and illustrates them, using simple numerical examples. The theoretical and practical aspects of each method are discussed, in order to give the reader the framework within which he can evaluate the relative merits of the various practical solutions to the inflation accounting problem which are now being implemented in the UK, USA and elsewhere throughout the English-speaking world. The emphasis throughout is on a comparison of the relative merits of alternative systems, rather than aiming to give a single 'best' solution. Indeed the latter aim is seen as most probably illusory, because different types of accounting information may be needed for different purposes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521270557
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/03/1983
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Management , #3
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.43(w) x 8.54(h) x 0.67(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; List of abbreviations; 1. An introduction to inflation accounting; 2. Fundamentals; 3. Historical cost accounting; 4. Inflation and the general price level; 5. Current value systems 1: valuation; 6. Current value systems 2: capital maintenance concepts and real terms accounting; 7. Review; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'an excellent introduction to the subject on inflation accounting.' Management Accountancy

'An excellent introduction to the subject, particularly valuable for readers with little or no experience of its analytical study, whether accountants in practice or industry or students in higher education … the book is so well-written that it is surprisingly easy to read … a most valuable contribution to the study of accountancy for price changes.' Accounting and Business Research

'This book is warmly recommended for use by intermediate students and by practitioners who do not yet have a clear understanding of the rationale of the different systems of inflation accounting.' The Accountant's Magazine

'This book has been written with a rare combination of scholarship, clarity and commonsense.' Accountancy

'This book should find a wide market amongst practitioners, in particular those concerned with policy making.' Journal of Industrial Affairs

From the Publisher