Looking Back at the Future of the Accounting Profession

• In Event: Public Interest 1

Abstract

In a speech given at the First Annual Accountants’ Day at Texas Christian University, Stettler (1968) discussed anticipated changes in professional auditing practice and in the accountant who would provide these services. Stettler (1968) noted that the profession was often criticized for its “crawfish” or backward-looking approach to facing and responding to changing economic and social climates. In light of such criticism, Stettler (1968) made several predictions regarding the state of the profession in the year 2000. The purpose of the paper is to review his predictions as a means of assessing the current state of the accounting profession.

This paper begins with a brief review of the history of the accounting profession to provide a context for Stettler’s comments. The paper continues with a critical analysis of each prediction and concludes with a discussion of implications for the accounting profession as well as a new look ahead.

Authors

• Byron Keith Henry, Bowie State University

• Margaret Hicks, Howard University