The Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting

The conceptual framework is an attempt to provide a metatheoretical structure for financial accounting. SFAC No.3 defines 10 elements of financial statements. It is obviously a resolution of the definitions presented in the discussion mem for the conceptual framework project. Elements are what accounting professionals measure and the attributes is about how to measure. Definitions can be helpful to the financial statements which have been formulated in order to help professionals to specify the qualification are. Also, the definitions must be expressed in the metatheoretical structure.

In accounting there is much to be learned, about the financial aspects of a business. In the past five weeks I have learned the importance of financial reports and how they relate to the success of an establishment. These reports may include balance sheets and income statements, which help accountants and the public grasp the overall financial condition of a company. The information in these reports is really significant to, managers, owners, employees, and investors. Managers of a business can take and deduce financial

Fraser, L. M., & Ormiston, A. (201). Understanding financial statements (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

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.

financial statements” (Waxman, 2013, p. xiii). It is the purpose of this paper to discuss some of

In May 2008, the AICPA’s Governing Council designated the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as the body authorized to establish international financial accounting and reporting principles under rule 202 and 203 of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. Below is an illustrative Independent Auditor’s Report on financial statements issued in conformity with IFRS.

As the business environment grows and companies find new ways to expand into their respective - or even new – markets, it is important that reporting standards stay up to date with changes and continue to assist companies in providing their users with useful accounting information. Information is labelled as being useful when it meets the

Financial reports consist of a statement of financial position, statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity, statement of cash flows, notes, directors' declaration, directors' report and the auditor's report. The financial statements need to be prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards, making the necessary disclosures in order to be transparent and fully inform readers about the activities and financial situation of the entity.

Among the tools required for every business to survive and thrive, the ability to maintain a regular self-examination holds an indispensable place. The size of the business in question is almost of no consequence, only the potential complexity of the self-examination changes. A prime tool for such self-examinations is the family of related financial reporting that has become nearly universal in western businesses: the income statement, the balance sheet, and the statement of cash flows. This trio of reports enables management and owners to carefully examine the holdings and liabilities of their business so they may make

The purpose of this assignment is to increase your understanding of the information contained in a firm’s financial statements and of the relationship between the statements. As you study financial accounting, we will focus on using financial information in a meaningful way, to understand the firm’s past performance and project its future performance.

IASB. 2010, "The Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting" IFRS, pp. A21- A38, viewed 23 April 2014,

The statement of cash flows is a relatively new statement. Focused on cash-basis accounting rather than accrual-basis, the purpose of this statement is to describe the effects of a company’s cash inflows and outflows. This paper will discuss the current standards for the statement of cash flows, the history of the statement, and if the direct method or indirect method is more advantageous for the users.

The information reflected in the financial statements actually is expected to be of high quality and useful to support the quality decision-making of market stakeholders due to the far-reaching and very costly consequences. It is important in this context to properly identify and discuss the user needs and thereby we refer to the actual requirements of all information users amongst them the management, which uses the financial information to steer, regulate and co-ordinate the business.

FASAB created four objectives to ensure the quality of financial reporting with them being: budgetary integrity, operating performance, stewardship, and systems and controls. Budgetary Integrity would help provide information to determine how budgetary resources had been acquired and if that transaction was properly done through legal processes. Budgetary integrity also presents the status of its resources and if these statuses were consistent with information on assets and liabilities. Operating performance helps users of financial reporting evaluate the reporting entity’s service efforts, costs, and accomplishments. It also evaluates the manner in which their particular efforts and accomplishments had been financed as well as the entity’s handling of its assets and liabilities. The third objective, stewardship, evaluates how the nation is affected by the governments operations and investments while also assessing how the government’s financial condition has changed and how it could change in the future. The systems and controls objective basically sees if the administrative controls are up to par to ensure accurate reporting. All of these objectives were created by the FASAB in an effort to establish a clear sense of what they expected in an entity’s financial reporting.

Regulatory background Generally accepted accounting practice Legal and listing requirements General issues Form and elements of financial statements Statement of recognised gains and losses Statement of cash flows Basis of accounting Consolidation Business combinations Foreign currency translation Prior period adjustments and other accounting changes Events after the balance sheet date Specific balance sheet items General Property, plant and equipment Intangible assets Investment property Investments in associates and joint ventures Financial instruments, including hedging Inventories Biological assets Impairment Equity Provisions Deferred tax Contingent assets and liabilities Specific income statement items General Revenue Government grants Employee benefits Share-based payments Interest expense Income tax Extraordinary and exceptional items