@article{article_325007, title={Features of the State Accounting of the Ottoman State}, journal={Accounting and Financial History Research Journal}, pages={227–233}, year={2014}, author={Güvemli, Oktay}, keywords={Turkey, Accounting Profession, Features of the Profession.}, abstract={While the Ottoman State maintained its existence for centuries through the Middle East’s statist approaches, it is certain that the accounting thought was also improved under statist circumstances as well as most other notions. Inevitably, the accounting profession advanced within the framework of the statist approaches being adopted. The feature that the fiscal structure of the Ottoman State had was that the fiscal order was managed by accountants. Fiscal decisions were made and practiced by accountants. Accountants were responsible for bookkeeping as well. Thus, the accounting profession was enabled to advance effectively through state accounting. Under these circumstances, it is concluded that some specific accounting thought was in place in the state and fiscal activities were conducted by accountants, meaning that an accounting culture was solidly implemented within the state structure. These conditions helped the accounting profession to bear a strong organizational structure and the accountants to have an hierarchical order. This structure was disturbed by Tanzimat (Era of the Reforms, 1839). This is because the Maliye Nezareti (Ministry of Finance) was founded and later on converted to a smaller-sized state accounting establishment entitled Muhasebe-i Umumiye (Public Accounting). This change was undoubtedly in conformity with the then-contemporary practices and was therefore fruitful. However, as the private sector failed to thrive, the accounting profession did not succeed in advancing, thereby laying aside the state establishments. This was the reason why the profession was devoid of organizational structure and hierarchical order. This lack continued until the foundation of the Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants and Sworn–in Certified Public Accountants of Turkey (TURMOB). It would be fair to state that the accounting profession existed without any organizational structure for 150 years between 1839 and 1989.}, number={6}, publisher={Oktay Güvemli Muhasebe ve Finans Tarihi Vakfı (MUFTAV)}