Introducing a certified economic accountant (CEA) degree or diploma program: Would Nancy and Richard Ruggles approve?

Abstract

This paper is inspired by the work of Nancy and Richard Ruggles promoting national economic accounting in academic and non‐academic areas. They were concerned with both compilation and use of national accounts as well as developmental issues. Now that the subject has matured with the 1993 SNA standards, the compilation, development and understanding of the accounts require special training and experience, but national economic accounting has become a multidisciplinary matter that cannot easily fit into one academic department. Hence we advocate a Certified Economic Accountant (CEA) degree or diploma program to gain enhanced recognition and greater understanding for national economic accountants and their work. The paper includes an annotated list of 50 references, covering the period 1942–2002, that might form a syllabus, and a section outlining the mechanics and problems of organizing such a program.