'Accounting theory and methodology are a waste of time'. Critically Essay

Accounting theory and methodology argon a waste of time. Critically evaluate this statement and provide examples to illusrate your answer - Essay representativethither is no come that can succeed without a very strong theoretical base. There are rules and principles that have been developed and they are based upon past practices of successful accountants. A lot has changed in accounting due to the rapid changes in economic and social environments. Some of the principles and rules that were developed earlier on are longer applicable. Thus accountants are faced with new problems that can not be single-minded with the traditional explanations of accounting. New areas are emerging in accounting such as social accounting, splashiness accounting and human resource accounting (Porwal 7).Methodology is important in creating an accounting theory. There are two methods of cerebrate that are applied in accounting research methodologies inductive and deductive. The two reasoning are as a re sult of differences in values, opinions and approaches between accounting research and accounting practice (Porwal 8).There are two types of accounting theories the proposal or the normative type and the descriptive or the positive type. The normative type proposes alternative ways of accounting, for example, alternative method of assets valuation either by the market value or the present value. The positive type analyses and explains the existing modes of accounting, for, example, the real functions and social consequence of todays accounting systems (Fujita and Jinnai 283).Development of accounting theories began in the early 1900. The first attempt has been attributed to William Paton and washbowl Canning. Paton was among the first people to propose the inclusion of the changes in the value of liabilities and assets in financial statements. The changes were to be mensurable on a current value basis. Cannings framework of asset valuation was based on future expectations and a mo del to match expenses and revenues. DR Scott made contributions to the development of normative theory. His views are reflected in publications The root word