Chinese double-entry bookkeeping before the nineteenth century

Authors

Z. Jun Lin

Publication Date

1992

Abstract

This paper examines the origination and evolution of Chinese double-entry- bookkeeping from the fifteenth century to eighteenth century. It demonstrates that Chinese merchants and bankers invented some types of double-entry spontaneously around the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. Several different versions of Chinese double-entry existed and evolved throughout this period to the nineteenth century. Chinese versions of double-entry are similar to Italian-style bookkeeping, although Chinese experience was independent of the dissemination of the Western methods.

Recommended Citation

Lin, Z. Jun (1992) "Chinese double-entry bookkeeping before the nineteenth century," Accounting Historians Journal: Vol. 19: Iss. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://egrove.olemiss.edu/aah_journal/vol19/iss2/5