William Andrew PatonWilliam Andrew Paton (July 19, 1889 - April 26, 1991 was a founder of the American Accounting Association

American Accounting Association

The American Accounting Association is an "organization of persons interested in accounting education and research". It was formed in 1916. Its main publication, The Accounting Review, was first published in 1926. It is the principal professional association of accounting academics in the United...

 in 1916, and was founder and first editor of its flagship journal The Accounting Review.

He published more than 150 articles and numerous books, on his own or with co-authors, including:

• Principles of Accounting, in 1918
• Accounting Theory, in 1922
• Essentials of Accounting in 1938
• Advanced Accounting, in 1941

He received the AICPA's Gold Medal Award in 1944 and was inducted into the Accounting Hall of Fame

Accounting Hall of Fame

The Accounting Hall of Fame is an award "recognizing accountants who are making or have made a significant contribution to the advancement of accounting" since the beginning of the 20th century. Inductees are from both accounting academia and practice...

 in its first year, 1950.

He was the recipient of a one-time prize of being honored as the Outstanding Educator of the Century by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Founded in 1887, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is the national professional organization of Certified Public Accountants in the United States, with more than 370,000 CPA members in 128 countries in business and industry, public practice, government, education, student...

, at the AICPA's 100th annual meeting in 1987. He died at the age of 101 in 1991.