The Conceptual Framework
The conceptual Framework of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) was issued in 1989 by the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) to provide a theoretical and non-arbitrary structure to guide the development of accounting standards. The Conceptual Framework was defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) as a ‘coherent system of interrelated objectives and fundamentals that are expected to lead to consistent standards and that prescribe the nature, function, and limits of financial accounting and reporting ’ (Godfrey, Hodgson, Tarca, Hamilton, & Holmes, 2010, p. 94).
The Framework aims to assist in producing a body of standards that is more internally consistent than the informal approach thereby enhancing the credibility of accounting information. In the framework the following elements are found (Lal, 2008):
a. At the first level, the objectives identify the goals and purpose of accounting.
b. At the second level, the fundamentals include the qualitative characteristics of accounting information and the definitions of the elements of financial statements.
c. At the third level, the operational guidelines that the accountants use in establishing and applying accounting standards include the recognition, measurement and recognition concept.
First Level: Its highest theoretical levels
The objectives of financial reporting are that it should provide information about the financial position, performance
Boundless (2015) said that a Conceptual Framework can be defined as a system of concepts and purposes that guide to the creation of a constant set of regulations and standards. Especially in accounting, the rule and standards set by the nature, function and limit of financial accounting and financial statements. IFRS(2015) stated that the purpose of the Conceptual framework is to enhance financial reporting and objective of accounting by offering a more accomplish, clear and updated set of concepts or guidelines. In Conceptual Framework, it will form a basis for define how transactions should be calculated (historical value or market value) and reported in financial report like how they are presented or communicated to internal or external users. To carry out this, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) is establishing on the currently existing Conceptual Framework updating it, enhancing it and padding it in the disparity instead of essentially reconsidering all respects of the Conceptual Framework.
Generally accepted accounting principles allows the accounting profession to follow a recognized organization of objectives, to provide a structure for solving problems, to improve the understanding of financial statement and confidence in financial reporting, and to develop contrast among companies financial statements that can be generally accepted and universally practiced, “generally accepted” means that a reliable accounting organization has developed a standard of reporting that has been accepted because of the universal application (pg. 6, Kieso, Weygandt, & Warfield, 2007). There are four organizations that are evolved in the
Over the last decade, the way in which financial reporting is carried out has seen some significant advancements. One of the most momentous changes has been the introduction of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which have been adopted broadly throughout the world, with one major exception, the United States. Before accounting standards can be considered truly global, this exception has to be resolved. The prospect of such an occurrence took massive strides in 2002, when the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB); responsible for standard-setting in the US, announced their intention to work alongside the IASB in order to converge IFRS with US GAAP. For the first time, a truly global set of accounting standards seemed a
The conceptual framework was established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and is used to help define the boundaries of accounting. It gives definitions of key terms and establishes consistent standards by which fundamental issues are defined. This makes it easier to facilitate discussion and leads to greater efficiency in making accounting judgments.
The concepts in the conceptual framework are being created in an orderly manner which makes the financial reporting consistent and logical. There is also increased comparability of standards from company to company or from year to year. The conceptual framework also ensures that there is consistency internally in the accounting standards. In addition the framework also establishes precise definitions that facilitate discussion of accounting issues and it also helps preparers and auditors in resolving financial problems in the absence of an accounting standard. Since a theory of accounting that can be applied on specific problems is provided in the conceptual framework, the volume of accounting standards is
For decades, countries have designed their individual accounting standards principle-based, rules-based, tax-oriented, or business-oriented. Globalization has led to the greater needs with regards to harmonizing the standards (Kimmel, 2013). By late 1990’s the dominant standards were the IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) and U.S. GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). Thus, both the standard setters namely; FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) and IASB (International Accounting Standards Board) launched a convergence project prior to the IFRS being essentially adopted by several countries. Measures are being taken to reduce likely impacts the frameworks would have on financial statement and reduction of last minute changes (Kimmel, 2013).
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is a seven member board that consists of accounting professionals who establishes and communicates financial accounting and reporting standards known as generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in United States. The standards’ quest is to govern the preparation of the corporate financial reports and hence ensuring transparency, credibility and understandability of the financial statements. To achieve these, there is need to set guidelines that create uniformity in the preparation of the statements across the region. In this paper, we will focus on the
The main objectives of financial statements are to help managers of an organization to determine whether decisions about funding were most appropriate, and thus determine the future of investments. Understand the elements that can be used to compare financial ratios and different analysis techniques that can be applied within a company. Describe some of the measures that should be considered for decision-making and alternative solutions to the various problems affecting the company, and help planning the direction of investments made by the organization. Using the most common reasons to analyze liquidity and activity of a company. Analyze the relationship between debt and financial leverage presenting the financial statements. Assess profitability. Determine the position held by the company in the competitive market in which it operates. Provide employees with enough information they need to keep them informed about the situation under which the company works. Financial statements are very useful to compare the current status of different companies in the market. By
The most common user of general purpose financial reporting is present and potential investors, lenders, and creditors. So the objective of financial reporting is to provide relevant financial information that is useful for users in making decision about buying, selling and providing loans or setting loans. The user needs information about resources of the company as well as also wants to know how efficiently management of the company performs their duties to use resources of the entity. The IFRS framework says that financial reports cannot provide all the information to users that users may need to make decisions. They must need relevant information from other source.
The accounting world is shaped by stringent and clear rules, principles, standards and guidelines. These are all meant to define accounting operations and reporting discipline. With the emergence of International Accounting Standards (IAS), which was later replaced by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the accounting concepts, analysis, disclosures, reporting and presentation became easier and practical. Currently, accountants, managers and related parties find it concrete and consistent in protecting professional boundaries.
The International Accounting Standards Boards (IASB) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) are making an effort to converge to develop International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by gathering accounting standards that can be used in financial reporting whether it is in the home country or in the host country. Both the International Accounting Standards Board and the US FASB have proven to be vital promoters of the globalization of international financial accounting standards (Kirsch, 2012). These efforts have focused on a cohesive setting that will eliminate the controversy that revolves around accounting standards. I will present to you the facts and differences between the two, state the facts and identify
The IASB framework was approved by the IASC Board in April 1989 and adopted by the IASB in April of 2001. They set out the perceptions that underlie the provision and presentation of financial statements. The concepts that underpin the presentation of the statements deal with following;
This report is intended to discuss the significance of the IASB’s Conceptual Framework. It will layout the basis of the Conceptual Framework and then discuss its significance and relevance with regards to previous and future accounting industry standards.
The framework serves as a guide for the standard-setting bodies to develop International Accounting Standards and how to effectively enforce the use of each standard (IAS, 2010). These IASs were first issued by the International Accounting Standards council (IASC) and later on approved and amended by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). These standards are crucial for sustaining high level of financial reporting and also assure that the financial statements are comparable to prior years for the same entity and various other entities around the world. The financial statements must be presented in accordance with the standards and among these standards is the essential IAS 1, that lays down the basis for presenting the financial statements.
The existing Conceptual Framework of IASB’s was developed by its predecessor body IASC (International Accounting Standards Committee) in 1989. The material on the objective of financial reporting was first revised by the IASB in 2010 with the US national standard-setter, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). This ED sets out the proposal for a revised Conceptual framework. It has been developed on the behalf of responses received on (‘the Discussion Paper) which was published in July 2013. (IFRS, May 2015)