The early development of accounting dates back to ancient Mesopotamia and is closely related to development in writing, counting and money and early auditing systems by the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians. By the time of the Roman empire, the government had access to detailed financial information.

In India, Chanakya wrote a manuscript similar to a financial management book, during the period of the Mauryan empire. His book Ártgashaasthra'containsa few details aspects of maintaining books of accounts of a sovereign State.