The birth of industrial accounting in France: the role of Pierre-Antoine Godard-Desmarest (1767–1850) as strategist, industrialist and accountant at the Baccarat Crystalworks

Abstract

In France, the main effects of the industrial revolution were not felt until the beginning of the nineteenth century. Figuring among these effects was the elaboration of a new accounting technique, industrial accounting, which allowed the integration of cost calculation within the double entry system of bookkeeping. Accounting systems incorporating this technique were introduced by certain large firms in the 1820s in response to the new competitive environment facing them. Several accounting texts were also published which began to spell out these ideas more fully, among which that of Pierre Antoine Godard-Desmarest is singled out as being of special significance in the development of this new accounting technique. This article examines the man, his early career as an army administrator between 1792 and 1821, and thereafter as the principal director of the Baccarat Crystalworks from 1822 to 1839. More particularly we outline the strategy which he implemented to make Baccarat the foremost crystalworks in F...