THE EVOLUTION OF FRENCH ACCOUNTING THOUGHT AS REFLECTED BY THE SUCCESSIVE UNIFORM SYSTEMS (PLANS COMPTABLES GENERAUX) (EEC, FOURTH DIRECTIVE, HARMONIZATION, NATIONAL ECONOMIC PLANNING, PROFESSION)

This study is intended to provide an understanding of the evolution of French accounting thought and of the role played by environmental factors in its development. This understanding constitutes a first step in the quest for harmonization of accounting principles.;The study shows the strong influence that legislation, both company law and tax law, has had on the development of French accounting. Nationalization of firms, economic planning and national accounting have also been determining factors throughout the development of accounting plans. The study indicates how French accounting has developed in a closed circle in the National Council of Accounting. The first accounting plans were designed to meet the needs of management as well as those of government administrative bodies, and to provide an account of the firm's operations and capital to shareholders and creditors. The emphasis was placed on various parties' legal claims concerning the firm's assets, and on the determination of distributable income. The last plan, first approved in 1979 but officially adopted in 1982, is primarily concerned with the needs of external users of financial statements such as national accountants, financial analysts and statisticians. The development of the 1979 Plan took into account harmonization efforts undertaken at the level of the European Economic Community (EEC). The format of the plan's basic financial statements corresponds to the provisions of the EEC fourth directive. In fact, future developments in French accounting will be conditioned by developments at the EEC level.;The study is divided into three time periods corresponding to the development of the three official uniform plans: the 1940 to 1947 period, the 1948 to 1955 period, and the 1966 to 1979 period. Early developments in French accounting are presented in an appendix to the study. A description of the 1983 accounting law incorporating the provisions of the 1979 Plan into French legislation is provided in the conclusion. Insights into the development of the theory of accounts and the development of the French accounting profession are also given throughout the study.