The relative reality of accounting for web-based transactions

This paper explores the accounting methods used for web-based sales transactions in multiple cases in South Africa. Exploratory descriptive research is warranted, as little research had been done on the accounting of sales and web-based sales transactions. Information was gathered using structured interviews, transaction trail data collected from web-based transactions and a content analysis of the websites of the cases involved in the study. The relative perceptions of the managers and the reality of the method used to account for web-based transactions was contrasted with the prescriptions of the international accounting standard on revenue. The results were described in the context of the accounting requirements of the international accounting standard on revenue and the influence of the doctrines of relativism and reality.