Author(s)

Mieczysław Dobija, Jurij Renkas

Faculty of Management, Cracow University of Economics, Cracow, Poland.

This paper develops research in order to clarify whether accounting theory belongs to the natural sciences. Three features characterizing these sciences are identified and evaluated. These are the relationships of accounting theory with respect to the fundamental laws of nature, the possible existence of necessary constants, and the abstractness of the categories introduced, which requires the use of mathematics. Studies have shown that these characteristics are fully visible. The second principle of thermodynamics has shown its significant influence leading to the indication of the existence of a constant quantity, necessary in capital accounts. It also turned out to be the basis of the original method of calculating the depreciation of assets. The principle of dualism, fundamental for accounting, revealed that it is, among other things, equivalent to the first principle of thermodynamics. And the principle of minimum action has always stimulated the development of cost accounting and management accounting. The practical significance of the research presented in the second part of the article consists in revealing of the economic constant. This constant determines the actions of nature in economic processes. As a result of the research, the knowledge of the possibilities of the accounting system is being expanded, in particular by incorporating the measurement of human capital of employees and opening the way to financial reporting in this area.

Accounting, Natural Science, Fundamental Principles, Economic Constant

Dobija, M. and Renkas, J. (2020) Accounting among the Natural Sciences. Modern Economy, 11, 2081-2100. doi: 10.4236/me.2020.1112138.