Accounting History Archives

What are the Ishango and Lebombo Bones?

tysllp — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:12:05 +0000

The Ishango and Lebombo bones are ancient artifacts that represent the earliest known evidence of mathematical counting and data storage. These Paleolithic tools suggest that the first use of accounting emerged in Africa tens of thousands of years ago to track vital information. Specifically, they serve as the ancestors to every ledger, spreadsheet, and financial model used by TYS today. ... Read More

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Celebrating Madam C.J. Walker

tysllp — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 11:34:51 +0000

A Pioneer in Beauty and Business – Madam C.J. Walker This Black History Month, we honor Madam C.J. Walker, a trailblazer who transformed the beauty industry and empowered countless women. Born Sarah Breedlove in 1867 to formerly enslaved parents, Madam Walker overcame immense challenges to become America’s first self-made female millionaire. Madam Walker’s journey began with a simple yet revolutionary ... Read More

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The Founding of the NABA:

tysllp — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 17:50:39 +0000

A Story of Perseverance and Unity In the late 1960s, the accounting profession in the United States was overwhelmingly white and male. African Americans faced significant barriers to entry, including racial discrimination, limited access to education, and a lack of mentorship and networking opportunities. Despite these challenges, a group of nine visionary Black accountants came together to create an organization ... Read More

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John Cromwell Jr. First Male Black CPA

tysllp — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 17:08:57 +0000

A Trailblazer in Accounting In the early 20th century, the field of accounting was dominated by white men. Opportunities for African Americans were virtually nonexistent. But John W. Cromwell Jr., born in 1884 in Washington, D.C., was determined to defy the odds and make history by becoming the first Male Black CPA. Cromwell grew up in a family that valued education ... Read More

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The Story of Mary T. Washington:

tysllp — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 16:43:06 +0000

America’s First Black Woman CPA In the bustling city of Chicago during the early 20th century, a young girl named Mary Thelma Morrison grew up with a keen mind for numbers. Born in 1906, Mary was raised by her aunt and uncle after her mother passed away when she was just a child. Despite the challenges of growing up during ... Read More

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