Accounting change in Italy: Fresh start or Gattopardo's revolution?

The paper highlights the changes which are occurring in accounting regulation and in the accounting profession in Italy. This 'revolution' is analysed both in its 'technical' terms and in the light of the wider socio-economic context of the country. Some anomalies and contradictions affecting Italian accounting are pointed out and discussed. The concrete significance of those changes is ques tioned with reference to the day-to-day practice and social perception of accounting. In conclusion, drawing on this national situation, some methodolog ical remarks are made concerning the difficulties of an evaluatory perspective in the study of international accounting.