A CONCEPTUAL AND CONTEMPORARY DISCUSSION ON MEASUREMENT THEORY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO ACCOUNTING

This highly theoretical study aims primarily to undertake a conceptual discussion of the Measurement Theory and its relation to accounting. In second place, it analyzes the main focus of research conducted in Brazil as regards accounting measurement and its foundations. The techniques of literature review and documentary research were used on the latest material from the topic of investigation and the measurement articles published in Brazil's major scientific journals of accounting were reviewed for the purpose of establishing whether the foundations of Measurement Theory exists as a common focal point. It was possible to observe that, according to these foundations, the accounting measurement paths should include two essential conditions: (i) knowledge of the different objectives and the needs of users of financial statements; and (ii) the need to investigate the assumptions that these users make when they use the data from the statements in making their decisions. Thus, it is noted that current discussions about measurement methods, especially in the process of international convergence, need to observe these conditions.