The REA accounting model: Intellectual heritage and prospects for progress.

Abstract

Abstract Researchers often equate database accounting models in general and the Resources-Events-Agents (REA) accounting model in particular with events accounting as proposed by Sorter (1969). In fact, REA accounting, database accounting and events accounting are very different. Because REA accounting has become a popular topic in AIS research, it is important to agree on exactly what is meant by certain ideas, both in concept and in historical origin. This article clarifies the intellectual heritage of the REA accounting model and highlights the differences between the terms events accounting, database accounting, semantically modeled accounting, and REA accounting. It also discusses potentially productive directions for AIS research.