FINANCIAL REPORTING FOR THE GEORGIA COLONY

Stewardship reporting was an important tool in the establishment and development of the American Colonies. In 1732 the King of England created the Colony of Georgia as a haven for England's “worthy poor.” A corporate trust was established to implement this purpose, and it was necessary for the trustees to account for the many private contributions to the cause as well as the grants from the crown. This article discusses the early history of the Georgia colony, presents a thumbnail sketch of Harman Verelst, the Trust's accountant, and illustrates by example the financial reporting he developed for the Georgia Colony.