Question

Explain the philosophical foundations and main arguments of critical accounting research.

Answer 1

This research note is the result of the author's reflections on epistemological issue in respect to the financial accounting field.

From an epistemological perspective , this document attempt to trace the philosophical, historical , sociological and discursive research in the field of financial accounting .

In order to do so, this document explores the distinctions and connections between accounting theory and accounting practices , which we believe is the first step towards understanding accounting as a scientific discipline .

We analyze the theories underpinning financial accounting research , discusses it's purposes historical evolution and scientific method used .

This document also discuss the sociology and discursive context of financial accounting in order to demonstrate that ,like every other social science , accounting research is based upon assumption about the nature of its players or social networks . This document does not have the pretension to cover or close the discussion about all the pitfalls of this complex topic.  

Financial accounting is commonly considered as the process by which a company dicloses information about its financial and economic activities to different users outside the organization . Following this line of reasoning , we may argue that financial accounting theories are responsible for setting the rules and principles that guide current financial accounting practices.