Proceedings

century when the economic life starts developing, accounting hadn’t been a necessity
in the Romanian economic life (Dobroteanu, 2004). The main factors which
influenced directly the economy of Romanian provinces in the 19th century are: the
degree of industrial development, the trade development, the degree of economic
autonomy, capital availability, national independence, etc. (Ionascu, 1997).
2.2. The early beginning of Transylvanian trade and accounting school
Prior to the late 1800s, the terms bookkeeping and accounting were often used
interchangeably because the recording/posting process was central to both activities.
There was little need for financial statements (e.g., income statements) because most
owners had direct knowledge of their businesses and, therefore, could rely on
elementary bookkeeping procedures for information.
For example, in 14th century during the time of crafting organizations, we can find
proof that incomes and expenses accounts were kept, registers and exchanges
document were used, different „stories” of economic activities ( Hrisoave) were found
in towns like Sibiu, Brasov, Rasnov, giving evidence that accounting in its primary
form was quite developed (CECCAR).
Double-entry accounting manifested certainly in the 17th century, in factories in
Sibiu, Brasov and Bucharest (Demetrescu et al., 1979, cited in Ionascu, 1997: 176).
Althought there were proofs that forms of accounting were used in the Romanian
territories long before, considering the registers and accounting books found for
several very old estates of the time, but a significant development was only visible
starting the second half of the 18th century, when commerce began developing.
There were some towns from Transylvania: Sibiu, Brasov and Rasnov, that were
situated in the eastern border of Habsburgic Empire, and had the majority of the
citizens Saxons. These people were brought in by the Hungarian king to repel the
Turks and they came in the area with their habits, traditions, knowledge and
mentalities. The cities flourished with trade, being coveted by its neighbors. These
towns were important trading centers, acting as intermediaries in the long-distance
trade between Western and Central Europe and the Ottoman Empire.
For this reason at the beginning of XIX century Transylvania, the eastern part of
Habsburgic Empire had an economy more developed if we compare with other parts
of Romanian territories (Moldavia and Wallachia).
The Transylvania economy was characterized by a developed structure of trade and
industry, and have bequeathed to us accounting records.
The fact that accounting has invariably been associated with societies where business
has flourished was to Hatfield "so obvious that I offend by explanation. Wherever
trade flourished, the practice of double-entry could be found, lending color to the
views that trade followed double entry, or that double-entry followed trade.”
(Hatfield, 1950)
~ 921 ~