Recent accounting scandals challenge academics to refocus the educational process on the theoretical underpinnings of accounting. This is the first in a series of articles designed to facilitate this realignment. Intended as a supplement for the introductory accounting course, the essay series connects each of the primary accounting elements to the essential theoretical constructs, discusses the inherent tradeoffs and measurement dilemmas involved, describes newsworthy examples of "accounting gone bad," and offers a brief bibliography for further investigation should students (or professors) choose to research the element in more depth. Accounting instructors may elect to include the entire series if time permits or may select articles committed only to certain topics; each essay is designed to stand independently, with only the current article as required preparation. (Contains 4 footnotes.)