Evolution of management accounting concept in Russia: in a search of identity

In this paper I analyse factors that have shaped and currently influence understanding of management accounting in Russia. I use seven factors, identified by Bhimani (1996) in his study of management accounting practices in European nations. The main findings demonstrate that at an early stage of development of management accounting in Russia it were primarily consultants, who influenced and informed the concept with an increasing role of academics and education as well as cross-border information exchange during the last decade. Specific understanding of management accounting brought in by the first generation of consultants had significantly determined its "own" way of development in Russia, which only currently becomes more converged to the global understanding of the concept. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.