New book celebrates 100 years of Accounting and Commercial Law at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
‘Celebrating one hundred years—Accounting and Commercial Law at Victoria University of Wellington (1912-2011) and beyond’ delves into the history and major changes experienced by the University’s School of Accounting and Commercial Law over more than a century.
The book, which has been three years in the making, was written by Professor Stephen Zeff, Associate Professor Carolyn Fowler, and Professor Carolyn Cordery to document and celebrate the School of Accounting and Commercial Law’s major changes and successes since the teaching of accounting and commercial law began at the University in 1912.
“The prompt for the book came from Professor Tony van Zijl,” says co-author Professor Zeff. “He invited me to spend three weeks at the School in October 2017 to begin the research and drafting, together with Carolyn Fowler.
“I spent nine solid weeks, Monday to Sunday, studying the University’s academic calendars and preparing the initial draft…mainly dealing with the comings and goings of staff, but also providing historical background and other perspectives.”
As the back cover of the book states, the book draws on archival material and interviews to introduce readers to some of the “eclectic characters” who have been staff and students over the years, as well as the major changes that have occurred within the accounting profession and School and the impact they have had on teaching, learning and research. One of these changes was the decision by esteemed academic and practitioner Professor Don Trow to focus on hiring academic staff with PhDs in the 1970s.
“Professor Don Trow’s decision in the 1970s to focus staff recruiting on candidates with PhDs [was a significant change], as well as Don’s Diploma in Accounting, which was so successful in bringing into the accounting profession excellent students who had not taken their earlier degrees in accountancy,” says Professor Zeff. “The latter was run like an honours programme, and the former established the University as the leader in New Zealand and Australia of accountancy departments staffed with PhDs.”
The book also celebrates the success of staff and students who have gone on to have a significant impact on accountancy in New Zealand and around the world—including Professor Whatarangi Winiata, Dame Therese Walsh, Professor Ian Ball, Professor Paul Healy, Lyn Provost, Professor Tony van Zijl, and (as mentioned earlier) Professor Don Trow.
“It says a great deal about the School that it produced so many leaders of such a high calibre,” says Professor Zeff.
Looking forward to the next 100 years the only thing certain is that the next 100 years will be different from the last. As Associate Professor Carolyn Fowler (Head of School and co-author) says “The school has shown it can be nimble and has responded to changes over the last 100 or so years and I see no reason why those that teach and research accounting, commercial law, and taxation will not continue to respond and adapt to whatever the future may hold.”
Celebrating one hundred years—Accounting and Commercial Law at Victoria University of Wellington (1912-2011) and beyond is available at no cost. Contact the School of Accoutning and Commercial Law to order your copy.