Predecessors of Double-Entry Accounting

The article covers analysis of some historically significant issues of accounting development in the home-country of contemporary accounting made with reference to the archived materials found in Italy. In particular, the issue of purpose and order of taking entries in the book titled 'RICORDANZE' ('Memorials') has been considered. Resulting from the analysis done, the significance has been grounded for keeping accounting records which do not subject to double-entry principle thus being business entity's accounting and additional ('safety') means of control in business management. The correlation (in particular cases) of the above mentioned book entries with double-entry accounting registers has been proved, thus explaining the reasons for consequent separation of RICORDANZE book entries into non-system (paragraph type â?“ for monitoring company's business activity connected with accountant's work) and system ones (which caused the appearance of Accounting Memorials). The role of trade and credit relations in accounting development and appearance of accounts has been highlighted.