Evolving Accounting Systems Research with Business Measurement Practice—A Letter from the Editor

Abstract

Accounting, the science of organization measurement, is at a threshold of change. It either substantially changes or becomes irrelevant as an external corporate measurement. While external reporting has remained rather stationary and consequently has lost much of its relevance, internal reporting with the adoption of ERPs and the substantive computerization of business processes has become dynamic and creative. While instruction in Management Accounting still has some of its traditional cost emphasis, corporate practices related to the measurement of business processes have evolved fundamentally: 1. from the financial area to a wide scope of nonfinancial measurements, 2. in timing from quarterly to very rapid reporting, and 3. in type from manual transaction processing to transaction, business process, and account monitoring. In this wave of change, accounting research has a unique opportunity to lead and guide practice. Many areas have developed to satisfy business needs, but unfortunately there is little conceptual guidance and integrative frameworks. Accounting academics (Alles et al. 2008) have the competitive advantage on this domain and should provide leadership and guidance.