Narratives of the Numbers: Analyzing Cultural and Political Perspectives on Accounting in America

A plethora of elements have influenced the development of accounting standards and practices, including political, economic, legal, and ethical considerations. Throughout history, these perspectives on accounting have been shaped by the values held at the collective level of each international culture. Geert Hofstede identified four “societal value dimensions” that influence business decisions – individualism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity – and that these value dimensions vary throughout the world. Furthermore, Sidney Gray built upon this framework within the context of accounting values and practices. This paper reviews these theories in relation to major points in the historical timeline of accounting, with an emphasis on the development of the discipline in the United States and a discussion of potential future implications in accounting due to recent political changes. As cultural values impact the values of the accounting industry and thus the overall economy, how do current societal dimensions contribute to the modern political and business realm