The development of accountancy profession in a centralised state: the case of Brazil
The development of accountancy profession in a centralised state: the case of Brazil
The political history of Brazil includes a period of colonization by the Portuguese, the establishment of an imperial court, a period of rule by various military juntas, dictatorship and democracy. Drawing on archival based research conducted in Brazil, this study focuses on the forces that transformed the modus operandi of accountants in this country within this changing context, at times constraining and at times and providing opportunities in their quest for professional status. Perceived as a low-status occupation since colonial times, the pursuit of professional status was driven by those with superior educational qualifications as a mean of differentiating themselves from those with only practical experience. Such activity peaked between 1900 and 1946, a period of dictatorship and centralisation, and was only successful because some of the key protagonists were in positions of power within the centralised state. Unlike professional projects in the Anglo-American mode, here the emphasis was on legislating for improved educational qualifications which then provided a platform for professional organisation. Emerging as the product of such legislation, a national accounting body was created in 1946, although issues pertaining to the dedicated functions of accounting professionals and their perceived status remained unresolved.
University of Southampton
Agrizzi, D.
bf4dd7b5-e685-45ca-90d8-a3e00a232401
2010
Agrizzi, D.
bf4dd7b5-e685-45ca-90d8-a3e00a232401
Agrizzi, D.
(2010)
The development of accountancy profession in a centralised state: the case of Brazil
(Discussion Papers in Accounting & Finance, CRAAG-10-02)
Southampton, UK.
University of Southampton
Record type:
Monograph
(Working Paper)
Abstract
The political history of Brazil includes a period of colonization by the Portuguese, the establishment of an imperial court, a period of rule by various military juntas, dictatorship and democracy. Drawing on archival based research conducted in Brazil, this study focuses on the forces that transformed the modus operandi of accountants in this country within this changing context, at times constraining and at times and providing opportunities in their quest for professional status. Perceived as a low-status occupation since colonial times, the pursuit of professional status was driven by those with superior educational qualifications as a mean of differentiating themselves from those with only practical experience. Such activity peaked between 1900 and 1946, a period of dictatorship and centralisation, and was only successful because some of the key protagonists were in positions of power within the centralised state. Unlike professional projects in the Anglo-American mode, here the emphasis was on legislating for improved educational qualifications which then provided a platform for professional organisation. Emerging as the product of such legislation, a national accounting body was created in 1946, although issues pertaining to the dedicated functions of accounting professionals and their perceived status remained unresolved.
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Published date: 2010
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 79270
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/79270
PURE UUID: 84c03dbc-2cad-474b-9c88-5d92eafe7d25
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 11 Mar 2010
Last modified: 10 Dec 2021 17:33
Export record
Contributors
Author:
D. Agrizzi
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics