The historic results in this week's French elections, which upended the political establishment, got me thinking about accounting’s place in the creation of that republic.
King Louis XIV was known for his extravagance. The palace at Versailles is Exhibit One revealing his belief that cost was no object.
King Louis XIV was known for his extravagance. The palace at Versailles is Exhibit One revealing his belief that cost was no object.
Louis XIV of France ruled for 72 years and 110 days. The longest reign of any European monarch.
Luckily for Louis and his fellow Frenchmen, The Sun King showed great wisdom in selecting an accountant to help him keep the books balanced.
Jean-Baptiste Colbert began his political rise at a very early age and became Councillor of State before turning 30, just six years into Louis' 72-year reign.
Through a series of political appointments, including Controller-General of Finances, Colbert instituted a wide range of tax reform and accountability measures which eventually got the state's finances in order.
His stringent and direct attacks on a number of royals and wealthy commoners earned him a large number of enemies. By the time of Colbert's death in 1683, even the king had grown tired of being held accountable by this meddlesome accountant.
And so it was that, by the end of Louis XIV's reign 32 years later, France's finances were back in disarray, eventually setting the stage for the French Revolution.
The moral of the story? Spendthrift behavior is unsustainable at any level; personal, royal or national.
Oh and, it's no accident that "accountant" and "accountable" are such similar words!
Best regards, Peter
Jean-Baptiste Colbert began his political rise at a very early age and became Councillor of State before turning 30, just six years into Louis' 72-year reign.
Through a series of political appointments, including Controller-General of Finances, Colbert instituted a wide range of tax reform and accountability measures which eventually got the state's finances in order.
His stringent and direct attacks on a number of royals and wealthy commoners earned him a large number of enemies. By the time of Colbert's death in 1683, even the king had grown tired of being held accountable by this meddlesome accountant.
And so it was that, by the end of Louis XIV's reign 32 years later, France's finances were back in disarray, eventually setting the stage for the French Revolution.
The moral of the story? Spendthrift behavior is unsustainable at any level; personal, royal or national.
Oh and, it's no accident that "accountant" and "accountable" are such similar words!
Best regards, Peter
One cannot help but wonder what is the nature of the paper held by Colbert in this portrait.
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