Development of bookkeeping records: development and use of Threefold Sheet System in Brazil

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ID:	30612
Authors:	Array Array
Journal:	Revista de Contabilidade do Mestrado em Ciências Contábeis da UERJ (Online)
Abstract:	In this paper we analyze the "Threefold Sheet System" a method of accounting developed in 1947 by two Brazilian accountants, Silvino Barbosa and Edmundo Mario Cavallari, that aimed to simplify bookkeeping practices in business. Since its inception, the Brazilian Accounting System has been strongly linked to domestic regulation and taxation norms. This linking imposes certain rigid bookkeeping procedures and accountabilities, making it harder and more arduous accounting tasks. Prior to the development and dissemination of computerized accounting, accountants had four basic options for implementing accounting records: (1) manual bookkeeping, which was lengthy and needed several transcripts, (2) mechanized bookkeeping, whose operation required the use of complex machinery with high acquisition cost for small and medium businesses, (3) electromechanical bookkeeping, that despite being a time saver it was still a new technology and rather costly for smaller companies and, finally, (4) mechanized bookkeeping, operated on typewriters specially adapted for this purpose. At the time, typewriters were relatively expensive and their adaptation to perform accounting tasks made them unsuitable for routine typing operations. The central idea of the Threefold Sheet System was to simplify accounting records, allowing its implementation on any typewriter without additional mechanisms or devices. This in turn allowed more free time to carry out other accounting activities and reduced the need for investing in equipment intended solely for accounting procedures and bookkeeping. We conclude by pointing out that the introduction of microcomputers, fast and versatile, was the main cause for the early demise of the Threefold Sheet System, since rapid technological developments in the area of microcomputers brought significant agility in the accounting workflow and made the typing machine obsolete for business.
Keywords:	Array
ABNT Citation:	COSENZA, J. P.; ROCCHI, C. A. Evolução da escrituração contábil: desenvolvimento e utilização do Sistema Ficha Tríplice no Brasil. Revista de Contabilidade do Mestrado em Ciências Contábeis da UERJ (Online), v. 19, n. 1, p. 2-23, 2014.
APA Citation:	Cosenza, J. P., & Rocchi, C. A. (2014). Evolução da escrituração contábil: desenvolvimento e utilização do Sistema Ficha Tríplice no Brasil. Revista de Contabilidade do Mestrado em Ciências Contábeis da UERJ (Online), 19(1), 2-23.
Volume:	19
Issue:	1
Year:	2014
Initial page:	2
Final page:	23
Number of Pages:	22
Permalink:	https://www.spell.org.br/documentos/ver/30612/development-of-bookkeeping-records--development-and-use-of-threefold-sheet-system-in-brazil/i/en
Document type:	Artigo
Language:	Português
Views:	3851
Downloads:	691