University of Canberra Accounting Article Review: Contemporary Issues

This report critically reviews the article "Accounting as Reality Construction: Towards a New Epistemology for Accounting Practice" by Gareth Morgan (1988). The report begins with a brief overview of the article's main argument, which challenges the notion of objectivity in accounting, positing that accountants construct reality in limited and often one-sided ways. The author agrees with Morgan's perspective that accounting is a metaphorical enterprise and that accountants cannot be fully objective. The reflection further explores the article's usefulness in understanding the culture of accounting, highlighting how accounting systems shape and mirror reality. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of the article in understanding how accounting principles are established and developed. The assignment was prepared for the Contemporary Issues in Accounting course at the University of Canberra.

Running head: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN ACCOUNTING 1
Contemporary Issues in Accounting
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CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN ACCOUNTING 2
A Brief Overview of the Article
According to this article, accountants mostly view themselves as being objective in
appraising reality, who seek to represent reality as it is. However, this article takes a view which
is much different. It is argued in this article that accountants often engage in typically
constructing reality in much limited ways which are often one-sided. This research article
explores and highlights out that objectivity in accounting is basically a large myth, and it usually
tends to block future developments in this discipline. In this article, a different perspective on the
nature of the process of accounting is developed, and insights are built with regard to
metaphorical as well as interpretive nature of the profession of accounting. It is argued that
accounting ought not to be viewed as dialogue form via which accountants can engage in
developing, reading and probing situations in varying ways. This article vies accountants as
subjective developers of reality, who present and represent situations in limited ways which are
one-sided (Morgan, 1988).
Critical Reflection on What Is Positive or Negative About the Article from an
Academic Perspective
In this article, there are two statements that are interesting. For instance, I agree with
Morgan’s perspective that accounting profession is a metaphorical enterprise which is framed on
metaphors that encourage reality to be viewed in a numerical manner. Just like early theorists of
organization tried representing organizations as bureaucratic principles which are derived from
the perspective that organizations resemble machines, the practice of accounting attempts
representing organizations as well as their activities by way of using numbers (Jones, &
Ratnatunga, 2012). This perspective on which the discipline is built is very much metaphorical,

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN ACCOUNTING 3
and the reality with regard to the extent at which the numbers relate is not completely
represented. The aspects of reality of organization which can be quantified and incorporated in
the framework of accounting are only highlighted by this numerical view. However,
organizational reality aspects which are unquantifiable are often ignored (Bhimani, 2009).
I also agree with Morgan’s view that it is not possible for accountants to be objective and
be able to present a situation’s reality in a manner which is true and fair. This is because
accountants can do more than just grasping the reality aspects which are related to their schemes
of accounting. Therefore, I agree that accounting profession cannot be totally and truly objective,
since objectivity depends highly on the observer as well as the object being observed (Jones, &
Ratnatunga, 2012). Furthermore, principles of accounting play a significant role in linking
accountants to their observations. Therefore, objectivity in accounting is regarded a myth since it
contributes in disguising the true nature of accounting, thus creating numerous operational
challenges (Rosenfield, 2009).
Whether, How and Why This Article Would or Would Not Be Useful For Answering A
Question about the Culture of Accounting
Morgan (1988) would help me in answering a question regarding accounting and culture.
For instance, I have learnt that accounting being a metaphorical enterprise, is usually based on a
variety of metaphors that enable practitioners to develop competing interpretations regarding
accounting as well as how its various principles are established and developed. Morgan (1988)
has also helped me build an argument about accounting and culture. For instance, it has enabled
me to gain a clear understanding regarding how systems of accounting play a role in monitoring
or mirroring reality in addition to contributing in shaping reality (Morgan, 1988).

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References
Bhimani, A. (2009). Contemporary issues in management accounting. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Jones, S., & Ratnatunga, J. (2012). Contemporary issues in sustainability accounting, assurance
and reporting. Bingley: Emerald Group Pub.
Morgan, G. (1988). Paradigms, Metaphors, and Puzzle Solving in Organization
Theory. Administrative Science Quarterly, 25(4), 605. doi:10.2307/2392283
Rosenfield, P. (2009). Contemporary issues in financial reporting: A user-oriented approach.
London: Routledge.