HUMAN RESOURCE ACCOUNTING AS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF FUTURE BUSINESS RESULTS

The diploma thesis addresses human resource accounting. This is a tendency arising from expectations of greater importance of human factors for long-term profitable business operations of companies. The objectives and methodology of the research are presented, research hypotheses are established, as well as the results of the conducted research. The concluding chapter summarises the fundamental findings and facts of the diploma thesis, which were reached through the study of the issues and the writing of the diploma thesis.

Problem

The diploma thesis addresses human resource accounting. This is a tendency arising from expectations of greater importance of human factors for long-term profitable business operations of companies. The authors of this model expected that the value of human resources would soon be included in the accounting statements of companies.

It is concluded that the fundamental idea is indeed sound, as it stems from the recognition that employees of companies are still conceptualised in accounting terms merely as an expense, although on the other hand their knowledge, abilities, creativity and innovativeness essentially represent an asset of the company, which is not shown anywhere. Thus, for example, investments in education are only an expense on the expenditure balance sheet, whilst the benefits from new knowledge are not valued by companies in terms of revenue, nor do they ever appear in the balance sheet.

This reinforces the view that human resources should be taken into account, emphasised and valued. Following the introductory first chapter, the second chapter describes the emergence of intellectual capital in the so-called knowledge age. The main part of intellectual capital is represented by human capital, whilst the remaining part is likewise connected with human capital, with the difference that it is to some extent owned by the company and not by the employees.

The third chapter presents human resource accounting: its development from the beginnings to the present day. The fourth chapter is devoted to models for valuing human resources or, in the case of more contemporary models, measuring intellectual capital. The characteristics of individual models are briefly described.

The fifth chapter is devoted to the research conducted amongst accountants in Slovenian companies.

Results

The objectives and methodology of the research are presented, research hypotheses are established, as well as the results of the conducted research. The concluding chapter summarises the fundamental findings and facts of the diploma thesis, which were reached through the study of the issues and the writing of the diploma thesis.