Accounting, art or science? argue?
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Accounting is an art because it depends on TECHNIQUE, whereas a science depends on application of the scientific method (see http://teacher.pas.rochester.edu/phy_labs/AppendixE/AppendixE.html ).\n\nThe central element of accounting (as distinguished from bookkeeping and checkbook entries) is the use of double-entry bookkeeping, the entry of an item twice, once as a debit and once as a credit, to a category of asset, liability, equity, revenue or expense.\n\nDouble entry bookkeeping was invented by an Italian monk, Luca Pacioli (http://acct.tamu.edu/smith/ethics/pacioli.htm ).  But nowhere has it been stated WHY the amount should be entered twice as a balance of left hand side ("debit") and right hand side ("credit") entries.  The basic reason for the double entry principle remains a mystery to this day.\n\nScience doesn't work like that!  A hypothesis is proven or it fails, it doesn't work for an unexplainable reason.\n\nAccounting is a series of classification and bookkeeping techniques which work although they defy explanation.  The basis isn't the scientific method but workable technique.  And the Greek word for art is "techne."\n\nTo convince your lecturers,\n\n--study that link on the scientific method until you can explain it without reference to notes\n\n--study that link on Pacioli until you can rattle off his accomplishments\n\n--consider buying the laminated cram sheet on bookkeeping so you can discuss that and use examples of entries and whey they are "wrong" unless the left side equals the right side.\n\nBut the heart of the argument is that accounting is based on workable TECHNIQUE rather than on the scientific method.\n\nPS: Yes, I'm a CPA.
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Hard to disagree with such logic
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management accounting is concerned with providing internal information for running a company.\n\nfinancial accounting is more for public consumption to convey business results.\n\ntax accounting is, you guessed it, to deal with paying the evil taxes.
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Financial accounting:  Broadly deals with the overall operations of the organization.  It deals with the accounting for all the general ledger accounts.\n\nManagement accounting:  Broadly deals with assigning of costs, such as overhead, direct/indirect labor and materials to cost objects (output).  Here's a link for more information on management accounting: http://www.imanet.org/ima/sec.asp?TRACKID=&CID=5&DID=5\n\nThis is really a basic overview for you, I don't have the time to go in depth of the advantages and disadvantages - they would differ between different people's viewpoints.  You just need to gather hard facts and determine what each field has advantages and disadvantages in the context of your opinion.
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Scientific methodology and evidence.
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Accounting is money on paper.\nFinance is real money.
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I'd say science, but that doesn't seem to need proof, as a logical theory will suffice. We keep revising the age of everything as new evidence is introduced (which we should), but then take that new estimate as gospel truth. Humans need the security of believing that we understand the world around us, whether it be handed down from someone above, or a collection of our own limited observations. Proof, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
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I think it's a good idea for students to see both (I'll call them "theories")  Use a comparison: Are students exposed to the writing style of Shakespeare only? Or, are they exposed to many writers?  If Ford was the only car offered for sale, how would a person know the points of other cars? The saying goes that "competition is healthy." Why not show more than one theory and let the student decide?
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None really - science is a methodology.  The scientists might have faith in all sorts of things -but science itself does not.
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FYI - The accounting profession, even now, is very lacking in ethics.  Even the auditing firm I work for is very unethical - those bastards.  Time to find a new job.
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Accounting deals strictly with what has been done. Doing people's taxes for instance. You may give people some hints as to what they should do in the future but it is on the level of data x means y.\n\nActuarial science on the other hand deals with predictions. You have to look at trends and advise companies as to what they should do to make sure that they are dealing financially ethically with their customers but also not going to go under. \n\nFor example let's say that you would be working for a home insurance place and you notice that most years 1 home burns down. Well then you need to charge enough from your customers to deal with the cost of one of the homes burning down. YOu actually need to charge more than that because there is the chance that 2 homes could burn down and then where would you be? It seems incredibly difficult to me but if you are interested in it you should start by becoming a math major because you will be using a lot of high level statistics and calculus at the very least.
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Forensic accounting is used in court. It provides an accounting analysis that is suitable to the court which will form the basis for discussion, debate and ultimately dispute resolution.
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My only guess would be Edward Teller.  The guy was nuts.  Should one argue that Economics is a science, then one would also certainly mention Milton Friedman.
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Drow,\n\nYou have a spiritual conflict and misaligned ethics.\n\nYou need to decide if you do what you do for the ART of the matter or for making MONEY.\n\nThe greatest artists NEVER became wealthy until near the end of their lives.   \n\nThe wealthiest artists NEVER became artistic until near the end of their lives.\n\nThese are the two extremes on the spectrum of which you must choose your own place.\n\nRemember the golden rule: He who has the gold makes the rules.   You should sell out one of your ideas to raise basic capital so you can then open your own gallery which would then enable you to market other artists in a similar predicament.
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Who wouldn't say "numbers" and whether they add up to be legitimate or not? Mathematics is the fundamental knowledge being applied by an accountant. Most legal entities just want to obey the laws and report a proper mathematical accounting of their operations, whether personnal, corporate or nonprofit organizational in nature.
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Accounting, generally.
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An oxymoron. Science is objective lucidity.  Creationism is subjective magical-thinking.