Abstract
We draw on archival resources and maritime and accounting history literature to explore the role of Royal Navy pursers between 1665 and 1832. Through an agency theory lens, we investigate accounting-related practices pursers used to control consumable rations, including the ‘Purser’s [short] measure.’ The records pursers were required to keep suggest that the Royal Navy was at the forefront of the development of cost and materials accounting, and in the keeping of detailed accounting records. We provide fresh insights to the purser’s role and his association with the gestation of materials waste controls, standard costing, and audit and accountability processes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 925-946 |
Journal | Business History |
Volume | 58 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 2 Mar 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2016 |
Keywords
- accounting
- auditing
- costing
- standard
- measure
- purser
- Royal Navy
- history