TY -  JOUR
PY -  2019
SN -  2283-7337
T1 -  The correction of double entry bookkeeping errors in the late 14th century
JO -  CONTABILITÀ E CULTURA AZIENDALE
DA -  7/15/2019 12:00:00 AM
DO -  10.3280/CCA2019-001002
UR -  http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/Scheda_rivista.aspx?idArticolo=64289
AU -  Kuter, Mikhail
AU -  Gurskaya, Marina
AU -  Bagdasaryan, Ripsime
SP -  7
EP -  30
IS -  1
VL -  XIX
LA -  EN
AB -  There have been several studies of medieval bookkeeping practices. This paper adds to that literature by focusing on the treatment of errors in the ledger of the Medieval Italian merchant, Francesco di Marco Datini, most of which were for the years 1395-6. The analysis shows that, contrary to the perception in the literature, accountants of that period not only detected errors, but also devised methods to address them that ensured that the overall financial result reflected a fair presentation of what had occurred, and that they did not simply use the account for Profits and losses as an easy outlet in which to record an amount that balanced the books. In addition, the accuracy of individual ledger accounts was not deemed important once they had been balanced, even after errors were detected.
PB -  FrancoAngeli
ER -