Debating the historical perspective of auditing concepts
Auditing has evolved in the capital market economy, particularly over the last century. The original purpose of the audit was to assure that honest and accurate accounting for nmoney and property had been performed in the affairs of state, in the services of governments and other public bodies, and in the affairs of early businessmen. As time has passed, the concept of auditing has enlarged in line with economic and industrial developments. Auditing concepts have also been affected by the expectations of various parties. The scope of auditing has expanded to include more than the practical aspects and technical tools.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Professor Theodore Limperg of the University of Amsterdam developed a theory of replacement cost accounting that has deeply influenced accounting and auditing practices in the Netherlands. At the second International Congress of Accountants in 1926, Limperg also presented a set of auditing concepts, which became known as the theory of inspired confidence. Later, his theory was called the theory of rational expectations (Blokdijk, 1979). Limperg’s theory can be characterized as dynamic. It connects the society’s needs for reliable financial information to the technical possibilities of auditing to meet these needs. It also takes into account the evolution of the needs of the business community and of auditing techniques. According to this theory, changes in the needs of the business community result in changes in the auditor’s function.