The Social Function of Accounts argues that accountancy, as currently organized and practised, is failing society, both in Britain and in the world as a whole. Examining the current problems afflicting the world: financial crises and instability, global warming, degradation of the environment, growing inequality, this book asks the question - what contribution does accountancy make to the solution of these problems?

John Flower, now retired, was formerly Professor of Accounting at the University of Bristol and Director of the Centre for Research in European Accounting, Brussels.

1. Capitalism in Crisis

2. Accountancy: Capitalism's Handmaiden

3. The Deplorable State of Accountancy Practice

4. The Reform of Capitalism: The Stakeholder Theory of the Firm

5. The Reform of Accountancy: Stakeholder Reporting

6. Sustainability Reporting: the GRI's Initiative

7. Integrated Reporting: A Disappointing Failure

8. Conclusions