Accounting by the First Public Company

<p>The United Dutch East India Company was the first public company preceding the formation of the English East-India Company by over 40 years. Its fame as the first public company which heralded the transition from feudalism to modern capitalism and its remarkable financial success for nearly two centuries ensure its importance in the history of capitalism. This study examines the contributions of accounting to the remarkable success of the Dutch East-India Company and the influences on these accounting practices. </p>