Governmental Accounting in China During the Chou Dynasty (1122 B.C.--256 B.C.).

The article focuses on the governmental accounting achievements in China during the Chou Dynasty. The book "Rites of Chou," by an unknown author, provides an early description of how the Chinese government at that time operated. The Chou rulers recognized the importance of using funds to allocate resources for specific purposes, which would be later known as general revenue funds. The government did have a relief fund for needy people that was supplied with surplus from the government's own store of grain. The calendar that was used during the Hsia dynasty differed from that used by the Chous and influenced how the government ordered its spending. The financial management system used by the Chous is compared to that of modern times, particularly how surpluses and taxes were handled.