The liberal contest for double entry bookkeeping in British Government
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contest Edwards Design/methodology/approach The study draws upon a collection of documents preserved as part of the Grigg Family Papers located in London and the Thomson Papers held in the Mitchell Library in Sydney. It also draws on evidence contained within the British National Archive, the National Maritime Museum and British Parliamentary Papers which has been overlooked by previous studies of the introduction of DEB. Findings Conflict and delays in the adoption of double entry bookkeeping were not primarily the product of "ideological" differences between the influential classes. Instead, this study finds that conflict was the result of a complex amalgam of class interests, ideology, personal antipathy, professional intolerance and ambition. Newly discovered evidence recognises the critical, largely forgotten, work of John Deas Thomson in developing a double entry bookkeeping system for the Royal Navy and the importance of Sir James Graham's determination that matters of economy would be emphasised in the Navy's accounting. Originality/value This study establishes that crucial to the ultimate implementation of double entry bookkeeping was the passionate, determined support of influential champions with strong liberal beliefs, most especially John Deas Thomson and Sir James Graham. Prominence was given to economy in government.