The Formation of Accounting Education in Russia

The purpose of the paper is to research into the characteristic features of the evolution of accounting education in Russia, to identify the main stages of this historical process and their time limits. The formation of accounting education is considered as a purposeful process being the integral part of the reforms of Peter the Great, and in which the tsar himself played a leading role. It is proved that the training was carried out mainly by means of practical study abroad and mentoring. The story of Ivan Thames, who taught accounting to the youth, as well as of Petr Rychkov, who became the author of the first Russian publication concerning accounting, is used as an illustration. The first cases of the use of the adopted in Russia accounting terminology are presented. The forms of accounting books, applied in the 18 th century, are given. The establishment of the first Russian commercial colleges is presented. The characteristic features of the manuals of accounting used in these establishments are discussed. The paper contains historical facts that can be of interest to those who are interested in the history of Russia.