Corporate Social Accounting

Over the past century, the degree and nature of social responsibility which the public expects from corporate business enterprises has changed dramatically. One of the results of these changing expectations is the emergence of the field of social accounting. The philosophical basis underlying the concept of corporate social responsibility is first addressed. The field of social accounting is then explored, with emphasis on the development of a comprehensive social accounting information system within a sound theoretical framework. Examples of actual social performance reporting are then given and finally the future prospects of social accounting are considered