Development of Accounting Principles and Professional Practice
Development of Accounting Principles and Professional Practice
2. economic entities to
► lenders, and
► other creditors
LO 5
OBJECTIVE OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
Entity Perspective
► Companies viewed as separate and distinct from their
owners (shareholders).
Decision-Usefulness
► Investors are interested in assessing
1. the company’s ability to generate net cash inflows and
2. management’s ability to protect and enhance the capital
providers’ investments.
LO 5
General Purpose Financial Statements
LO 6
STANDARD-SETTING ORGANIZATIONS
LO 6
STANDARD-SETTING ORGANIZATIONS
LO 6
International Accounting Standards Board
ILLUSTRATION 1-4
International Standard-Setting Structure
LO 6
International Accounting Standards Board
Due Process
The IASB due process has the following elements:
1. Independent standard-setting board;
2. Thorough and systematic process for developing standards;
3. Engagement with investors, regulators, business leaders,
and the global accountancy profession at every stage of
the process; and
4. Collaborative efforts with the worldwide standard-setting
community.
LO 6
International Accounting Standards Board
ILLUSTRATION 1-5
International
Standard-Setting
Structure
LO 6
International Accounting Standards Board
Types of Pronouncements
► International Financial Reporting Standards.
► Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting.
► International Financial Reporting Standards Interpretations.
LO 6
STANDARD-SETTING ORGANIZATIONS
Hierarchy of IFRS
Companies first look to:
1. International Financial Reporting Standards; International
Financial Reporting Standards, International Accounting
Standards (issued by the predecessor to the IASB), and IFRS
interpretations originated by the IFRS Interpretations
Committee (and its predecessor, the IAS Interpretations
Committee);
2. The Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting; and
3. Pronouncements of other standard-setting bodies that use a
similar conceptual framework (e.g., U.S. GAAP).
LO 7
STANDARD-SETTING ORGANIZATIONS
Question
IFRS is comprised of:
a. International Financial Reporting Standards and FASB
financial reporting standards.
b. International Financial Reporting Standards,
International Accounting Standards, and International
Accounting Standards Interpretations.
c. International Accounting Standards and International
Accounting Standards Interpretations.
d. FASB financial reporting standards and International
Accounting Standards.
LO 7
FINANCIAL REPORTING CHALLENGES
ILLUSTRATION 1-6
LO 8
FINANCIAL REPORTING CHALLENGES
LO 8
FINANCIAL REPORTING CHALLENGES
LO 8
FINANCIAL REPORTING CHALLENGES
International Convergence
Examples of how convergence is occurring:
1. China’s goal is to eliminate differences between its standards and
IFRS.
2. Japan now permits the use of IFRS for domestic companies.
3. The IASB and the FASB have spent the last 12 years working to
converge their standards.
4. Malaysia helped amend the accounting for agricultural assets.
5. Italy provided advice and counsel on the accounting for business
combinations under common control.
LO 8
FINANCIAL REPORTING CHALLENGES
Question
The expectations gap is:
a. what financial information management provides and
what users want.
b. what the public thinks accountants should do and
what accountants think they can do.
c. what the governmental agencies want from standard-
setting and what the standard-setters provide.
d. what the users of financial statements want from the
government and what is provided.
LO 8
GLOBAL ACCOUNTING INSIGHTS
Relevant Facts
Following are the key similarities and differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRS
related to the financial reporting environment.
Similarities
• Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for U.S. companies are
developed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). The FASB is a
private organization. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
exercises oversight over the actions of the FASB. The IASB is also a private
organization. Oversight over the actions of the IASB is regulated by IOSCO.
GLOBAL ACCOUNTING INSIGHTS
Relevant Facts
Similarities
• Both the IASB and the FASB have essentially the same governance structure,
that is, a Foundation that provides oversight, a Board, an Advisory Council,
and an Interpretations Committee.
• The FASB relies on the U.S. SEC for regulation and enforcement of its
standards. The IASB relies primarily on IOSCO for regulation and
enforcement of its standards.
• Both the IASB and the FASB are working together to find common grounds
for convergence. A good example is the recent issuance of a new standard on
revenue recognition that both organizations support. Also, the Boards are
working together on other substantial projects such as the measurement
and classification of financial instruments.
GLOBAL ACCOUNTING INSIGHTS
Relevant Facts
Differences
• U.S. GAAP is more detailed or rules-based. IFRS tends to simpler and more
flexible in the accounting and disclosure requirements. The difference in
approach has resulted in a debate about the merits of principles-based
versus rules-based standards.
• Differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRS should not be surprising because
standard-setters have developed standards in response to different user
needs. In some countries, the primary users of financial statements are
private investors. In others, the primary users are tax authorities or central
government planners. In the United States, investors and creditors have
driven accounting-standard formulation.
GLOBAL ACCOUNTING INSIGHTS
On the Horizon
Both the IASB and the FASB are hard at work developing standards that will
lead to the elimination of major differences in the way certain transactions are
accounted for and reported. In fact, beginning in 2010, the IASB (and the FASB
on its joint projects with the IASB) started its policy of phasing in adoption of
new major standards over several years. The major reason for this policy is to
provide companies time to translate and implement international standards
into practice.
Much has happened in a very short period of time in the international
accounting environment. It now appears likely that in a fairly short period of
time, companies around the world will be close to using a single set of high-
quality accounting standards.
Conceptual Framework for Financial Accounting
and Reporting
• Refers to the theoretical basis/foundation for financial
accounting and reporting
• Establishes the concepts that underlie financial
accounting and reporting.
• Provides a logical structure and direction to the
development of accounting standards and principles that
guide the practices of financial accounting and reporting
– The conceptual framework consists of
• objectives of financial reporting
• elements of financial statements
• qualitative characteristics of accounting
information
• recognition and measurement guidelines
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
LO 2
ASSUMPTIONS PRINCIPLES CONSTRAINTS
1. Economic entity 1. Measurement 1. Cost
2. Going concern 2. Revenue recognition
Third level
3. Monetary unit 3. Expense recognition
The "how"—
4. Periodicity 4. Full disclosure implementation
5. Accrual
QUALITATIVE
CHARACTERISTICS ELEMENTS
1. Fundamental 1. Assets
qualities 2. Liabilities Second level
2. Enhancing 3. Equity
Bridge between
qualities 4. Income
5. Expenses levels 1 and 3
ILLUSTRATION 2-7
Conceptual Framework
for Financial Reporting OBJECTIVE
Provide information
about the reporting
entity that is useful
to present and potential First level
equity investors,
lenders, and other
The "why"—purpose
creditors in their of accounting
capacity as capital
providers.
FIRST LEVEL: BASIC OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
“To provide financial information about the reporting entity
that is useful to present and potential equity investors,
lenders, and other creditors in making decisions about
providing resources to the entity.
LO 3
SECOND LEVEL: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
LO 4
SECOND LEVEL: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
ILLUSTRATION 2-2
Hierarchy of Accounting
Qualities
LO 4
Relevance
ILLUSTRATION 2-7
Conceptual Framework
for Financial Reporting
LO 4
SECOND LEVEL: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
Fundamental Quality—Relevance
LO 4
SECOND LEVEL: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
Fundamental Quality—Relevance
LO 4
SECOND LEVEL: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
Fundamental Quality—Relevance
LO 4
Faithful Representation
ILLUSTRATION 2-7
Conceptual Framework
for Financial Reporting
LO 4
SECOND LEVEL: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
LO 4
SECOND LEVEL: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
LO 4
SECOND LEVEL: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
LO 4
SECOND LEVEL: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
LO 4
SECOND LEVEL: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
Enhancing Qualities
LO 4
SECOND LEVEL: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
Enhancing Qualities
LO 4
SECOND LEVEL: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
Enhancing Qualities
LO 4
SECOND LEVEL: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
Enhancing Qualities
LO 4
Basic Elements
ILLUSTRATION 2-7
Conceptual Framework
for Financial Reporting
LO 5
SECOND LEVEL: BASIC ELEMENTS
Elements of Financial Statements
Equity
Income
Expenses
LO 5
SECOND LEVEL: BASIC ELEMENTS
Elements of Financial Statements
Asset
A present obligation of the entity arising
from past events, the settlement of which
Liability
is expected to result in an outflow from
the entity of resources embodying
Equity economic benefits.
Income
Expenses
LO 5
SECOND LEVEL: BASIC ELEMENTS
Elements of Financial Statements
Asset
Liability
Income
Expenses
LO 5
SECOND LEVEL: BASIC ELEMENTS
Elements of Financial Statements
Asset
Liability
LO 5
SECOND LEVEL: BASIC ELEMENTS
Elements of Financial Statements
Asset
Liability
ILLUSTRATION 2-7
Conceptual Framework for
Financial Reporting
LO 6
THIRD LEVEL: ASSUMPTIONS
Basic Assumptions
Economic Entity – company keeps its activity separate from its
owners and other business unit.
LO 6
THIRD LEVEL: ASSUMPTIONS
BE2-8 Identify which basic assumption of accounting is best
described in each item below.
(a) The economic activities of FedEx Corporation
(USA) are divided into 12-month periods for the Periodicity
purpose of issuing annual reports.
(b) Total S.A. (FRA) does not adjust amounts in its Monetary
financial statements for the effects of inflation. Unit
(c) Barclays (GBR) reports current and non-current
classifications in its statement of financial Going Concern
position.
(d) The economic activities of Tokai Rubber
Industries (JPN) and its subsidiaries are merged Economic
for accounting and reporting purposes. Entity
LO 6
THIRD LEVEL: BASIC PRINCIPLES
Measurement Principles
Historical Cost is generally thought to be a faithful
representation of the amount paid for a given item.
IASB has given companies the option to use fair value as the
basis for measurement of financial assets and financial
liabilities.
LO 7
THIRD LEVEL: BASIC PRINCIPLES
Measurement Principles
IASB established a fair value hierarchy that provides insight into the
priority of valuation techniques to use to determine fair value.
ILLUSTRATION 2-4
LO 7
THIRD LEVEL: BASIC PRINCIPLES
Revenue Recognition
When a company agrees to perform a service or sell a product to a
customer, it has a performance obligation.
Requires that companies recognize revenue in the accounting
period in which the performance obligation is satisfied.
LO 7
THIRD LEVEL:
BASIC
PRINCIPLES
ILLUSTRATION 2-5
The Five Steps of
Revenue Recognition
THIRD LEVEL: BASIC PRINCIPLES
LO 7
THIRD LEVEL: BASIC PRINCIPLES
Full Disclosure
Providing information that is of sufficient importance to
influence the judgment and decisions of an informed user.
Provided through:
Financial Statements
Notes to the Financial Statements
Supplementary information
LO 7
THIRD LEVEL: BASIC PRINCIPLES
Cost Constraint
Companies must weigh the costs of providing the information
against the benefits that can be derived from using it.
LO 8
THIRD LEVEL: COST CONSTRAINT
(a) In the current year, Blair Co. reduces its bad debt
expense to ensure another positive earnings Material
year. The impact of this adjustment is equal to
3% of net income.
(b) Damon Co. expenses all capital equipment under
€2,500 on the basis that it is immaterial. The Likely not
material
company has followed this practice for a number
of years.
LO 8
GLOBAL ACCOUNTING INSIGHTS
Relevant Facts
Similarities
• The existing conceptual frameworks underlying U.S. GAAP and IFRS are very
similar. That is, they are organized in a similar manner (objective, elements,
qualitative characteristics, etc.). There is no real need to change many
aspects of the existing frameworks other than to converge different ways of
discussing essentially the same concepts.
• The converged framework should be a single document, unlike the two
conceptual frameworks that presently exist. It is unlikely that the basic
structure related to the concepts will change.
GLOBAL ACCOUNTING INSIGHTS
Relevant Facts
Similarities
• Both the IASB and FASB have similar measurement principles, based on
historical cost and fair value. In 2011, the Boards issued a converged
standard on fair value measurement so that the definition of fair value,
measurement techniques, and disclosures are the same between U.S. GAAP
and IFRS when fair value is used in financial statements.
Differences
• Although both U.S. GAAP and IFRS are increasing the use of fair value to
report assets, at this point IFRS has adopted it more broadly. As examples,
under IFRS, companies can apply fair value to property, plant, and equipment;
natural resources; and, in some cases, intangible assets.
GLOBAL ACCOUNTING INSIGHTS
Relevant Facts
Differences
• U.S. GAAP has a concept statement to guide estimation of fair values when
market-related data is not available (Statement of Financial Accounting
Concepts No. 7, “Using Cash Flow Information and Present Value in
Accounting”). The IASB has not issued a similar concept statement; it has
issued a fair value standard (IFRS 13) that is converged with U.S. GAAP.
• The monetary unit assumption is part of each framework. However, the unit
of measure will vary depending on the currency used in the country in which
the company is incorporated (e.g., Chinese yuan, Japanese yen, and British
pound).
GLOBAL ACCOUNTING INSIGHTS
Relevant Facts
Differences
• The economic entity assumption is also part of each framework although
some cultural differences result in differences in its application. For example,
in Japan many companies have formed alliances that are so strong that they
act similar to related corporate divisions although they are not actually part
of the same company.
GLOBAL ACCOUNTING INSIGHTS
+ unearned rent-beginning
cash collection from other income - unearned rent-ending
= rent income
(e.g. rent)
+ rent receivable-ending
- rent receivable-beginning
+ accounts payable-ending
cash payments to inventory - accounts payable-beginning
= cost of goods sold
suppliers
+ inventory-beginning
- inventory-ending
+ prepaid items-beginning
cash payments for operating - prepaid items-ending
= rent/salary/supplies expenses
expenses (e.g. supplies, rent, salary)
- accrued items-beginning
+ accrued items-ending