Part I. The system by which American companies compiled and present their financial accounting standards is the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This system is "a common set of principles, procedures and standards" to ensure that there is a high level of consistency in accounting statements in the country (Investopedia, 2013). The IFRS (international financial reporting standards) is a similar set of standards that is widely used internationally, in over 100 countries including most of continental Europe.
The role that the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) plays in financial statements is as one of the primary enforcement bodies. The SEC mandates, for example, that publicly-traded firms must produce financial accounting statements to GAAP standards four times per year, and the SEC has enforcement mechanisms to ensure that these statements accurately reflect the financial condition of the company (SEC.gov, 2007). Within the SEC is another body, the public company accounting oversight board (PCAOB), which is charged with overseeing the activities of the auditors of public company accounting statements. The financial statements that are compiled are presented, along with extensive notes explaining the figures, in the 10-K and 10-Q forms. An annual report is an optional document that a company has no legal obligation to produce, nor is there any guidance for its production. The annual report, however, will almost always be accompanied by the 10-K, which is
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is the US federal agency that holds the primary mandate to enforce federal securities laws and regulations to control the securities industry and the country’s stock exchange and regulation of all activities and organizations including the US electronic securities market. The SEC is committed to promoting a market environment that yields public trust characterized by integrity to attain its mission of protecting investors through maintenance of fair and efficient markets through facilitation of capital information (Basagne, 2010). The SEC financing is a major area of focus since there has been major concern regarding the SEC agency financing and whether they utilize the
There are a number of different reporting requirements that are needed to comply with the SEC. These include the provision of financial statements on a quarterly basis (10-Q) along with an annual report (10-K). These statements must adhere to a specific format that governs how financial statements are prepared, and how the information is presented. There are many sections to these forms that must be included. Moreover, the information must be accurate, and prepared to guidelines laid out in the Generally Accepted
Upon reviewing your post, the insights I gain are the importance of companies following the rules and regulations enforced by The Securities and Exchange commission (SEC). In addition to the (SEC) financial accounting are also monitor by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) regulate the financial statements issued to shareholders. Zimmerman, J. L. (2014). I also realized the importance of companies making certain that the financial information posted, is accurate. By doing so, they help others such as stockholders and investors to make decisions that will be most beneficial to them.
From Willmore (2015) research, a few studies have shown IFRS convergence is a hot issue within the accounting discipline; many people in the accounting and business join in on this topic. Majority agrees that IFRS is a more principles-based approach opposed to U.S. GAAP, a more rules-based approach. A source even stated American
Fosbre, A. B., Kraft, E. M., & Fosbre, P. B. (2009). THE GLOBALIZATION OF ACCOUNTING STANDARDS: IFRS VERSUS US GAAP. Global Journal Of Business Research (GJBR
This research project will inform the reader of the difference between the United States accounting standards and International accounting standards. The United States uses the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) to issue financial reporting procedures. The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). There are proposals for the United States to adopt the International standards. Financial reporting procedures are debated about the United States using the Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP) or following the global procedures. This
The first title of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 relates to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) division. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act provided for the creation of PCAOB as an oversight organization to regulate the methods and procedures for auditors while they are performing an audit on a publically traded company. PCAOB is in charge of registering auditors that will be participating in publically traded company audits in addition to monitoring the quality of the audit work that is produced. PCAOB also establishes guidelines and directives that are applicable to all publically traded company audits. Lastly, PCAOB not only monitors the work and actions of independent audit firms, they sanction and enforce disciplinary measure against firms
There is no universal GAAP standard and the specific vary from one geographic location or industry to another. In the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) mandates that financial reports adhere to GAAP requirements. The financial accounting standards Board (FASB) stipulates GAAP overall and the Governmental accounting standards Board (GAAP) stipulates GAAP for state and local government. Publicly traded companies must comply with both SEC and GAAP requirements. In recent years it also has had the chance to look at the United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and modify the rules to enhance clarity and consistency, intentionally setting itself apart from U.S. GAAP. The convergence of these two accounting frameworks is a must for both foreign and domestic businesses. The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is the accounting framework used by the European Union, Japan, Canada, and other world economic leaders. Companies need an accurate and reliable financial accounting systems not matter if globally or in the United
To start, the agency assigned to oversee the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is the Securities and Exchanged Commission (SEC). It created the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) to monitor and evaluate auditing reports from accounting firms to ensure the quality of financial statements and that full corporate governance is being carried out. It sets a standard that all firms must follow closely. PCAOB is an independent organization whose primary role is to catch and recognize any suspicious and unethical activities in accounting firms and oversee that firms are following the compliances rules of SOX. A typical auditing report created by PCAOB is divided into two parts. According the Nagy (2014), the first part consists of a list of any flaws in compliance and auditing errors and the second part is quality control. The purpose of creating PCAOB is to promise investors and the general public that firms are following the strict compliance policy of SOX and that the SEC is aware of the financial situation of companies because it is keeping a close eye on monitoring business
Over a decade ago, it was believed that the whole world would likely adopt the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). At the point in time, the International Financial reporting Standards (IFRS) was only about ten years old. In the last decade, the IFRS has been adopted in many growing countries. Currently, it is anticipated that the U.S. will converge its GAAP with the international IFRS, leaving behind only a modified IFRS. This may occur as early as 2014.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is an important factor to the principal federal regulatory agency. it is an agency that regulates the securities industry. The main goal of the Securities and Exchange Commission is to protect investors and maintain the integrity of the securities markets. Numerous individuals rely on upon the SEC for regulating government securities laws that ensure speculators. The SEC additionally guarantees that securities markets are reasonable and fair and, if fundamental, authorizes securities laws through the proper approvals. Essentially, the SEC directs the exercises of all members in the securities markets—including freely held enterprises, open utilities, venture organizations and consultants, and securities
The Securities Exchange Commision; also known as the SEC or the watchdogs of wall street, has many purposes to having established its government department. As first time investors turn to the markets seeking to secure their futures or even just financial growth, the SEC’s Investor protection mission becomes fascinating. Ironically, the stock itself isn't the only risky factor in today's marketplace. As the SEC oversees key participants in the securities world; their mission is to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and facilitate capital formation.
There are two sets of accounting standards that are used worldwide. One is the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). There is a huge desire for there to one set of accounting standards worldwide with the increase of companies performing business in many different countries and global expansion.
The mission of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is to protect investors; maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and facilitate capital formation (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, n.d.). In order to protect investors, the SEC mandates certain filings to be made by public companies in order to disclose information relevant to the going concern of the company. These disclosures are pertinent in making investment decisions by the users of these statements. Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K are required fillings of publicly held companies where the 10-K is filed annually with audited financial statements along with a business summary, the financial results, corporate governance issues and exhibits; the 10-Q is a simplified
The US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is a set of international accounting rules which originated from the United States. US GAAP can be defined as a set of accounting principles, standards and procedures that companies use to compile their financial statements (Elliott & Elliott, 2008). The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on the other hand are accounting rules originating from the United Kingdom. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are a set of accounting rules designed with a common global language for business affairs so that financial accounts of companies are understandable and comparable across international boundaries (Devinney, Pedersen & Tihanyi, 2010).