Accounting education in Britain during the early modern period

British-based studies of the education of aspiring accountants have principally confined attention to developments following the formation of professional bodies. This paper examines educational provision during the early modern period which broadly coincides with the rapid commercial expansion and early industrialisation that took place in Britain between 1550 and1800. It reveals institutional and pedagogic innovations designed to meet the knowledge requirements of aspirant accountants, bookkeepers and others seeking a knowledge of accounting techniques. Also, the gendered male orientation of teaching institutions and instructional texts in accounting is shown not to have entirely excluded women from acquiring knowledge of the accounting craft.