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The rise and fall of William Bassett Chinnery

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  • Michael E. Scorgie

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explain how William Bassett Chinnery, who was appointed Agent for New South Wales on 1 May 1787, was enabled to embezzle more than £80,000 of Treasury funds prior to his dismissal on 17 March 1812. In this chronicle attention is concentrated on Chinnery's duties and peculation rather than his private life and his love of music which has been exposed elsewhere (Yim, 2004). Attention is paid to accounting and control systems used at the British Treasury and the function and operation of the Audit Office which was established in 1785. In conclusion, it is argued that Chinnery was able to avoid detection because contemporary charge and discharge reporting, cash control and auditing were inadequate.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael E. Scorgie, 2007. "The rise and fall of William Bassett Chinnery," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 43(1), pages 76-93, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:abacus:v:43:y:2007:i:1:p:76-93
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6281.2007.00218.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Phillip Cobbin & Graeme Dean & Cameron Esslemont & Patrick Ferguson & Monica Keneley & Brad Potter & Brian West, 2013. "Enhancing the Accessibility of Accounting and Business Archives: The Role of Technology in Informing Research in Accounting and Business," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 49(3), pages 396-422, September.

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