Fall Break Planning
• Fall break is October 13th & 14th
• Second exam is scheduled for Wednesday October 15th
• Review session will be Tuesday October 14th at 7:30pm
• Alternative exam time (before fall break) will be Friday
October 10th from 8:00am to 9:20am
CHAPTER 1
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING AND
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Sommers – Intermediate I
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
FASB Codification

Goal in developing the Codification is to provide in one place
all the authoritative literature related to a particular topic.

Creates one level of GAAP, which is considered authoritative.

All other accounting literature is considered non-authoritative.
FASB has developed the Financial Accounting
Standards Board Codification Research
System (CRS). CRS is an online real-time
database that provides easy access to the
Codification.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Illustration 1-5
FASB Codification
Framework
Issues in Financial Reporting
GAAP in a Political Environment
GAAP is as
much a product
of political
action as they
are of careful
logic or
empirical
findings.
Illustration 1-6
User Groups that
Influence the Formulation
of Accounting Standards
Issues in Financial Reporting
International Accounting Standards
Two sets of standards accepted for international use:

U.S. GAAP, issued by the FASB.

International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS), issued by the IASB.
FASB and IASB recognize that global markets will best be
served if only one set of GAAP is used.
IFRS Insights – Relevant Facts
– International standards are referred to as International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS), developed by the International
Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Recent events in the global
capital markets have underscored the importance of financial
disclosure and transparency not only in the United States but in
markets around the world.
– U.S standards, referred to as generally accepted accounting
principles (GAAP), are developed by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board (FASB). The fact that there are differences
between what is in this textbook (which is based on U.S. standards)
and IFRS should not be surprising because the FASB and IASB
have responded 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.
It appears that the United States and the international standardsetting environment are primarily driven by meeting the needs of
investors and creditors.
IFRS Insights – Relevant Facts
– The internal control standards applicable to SarbanesOxley (SOX) apply only to large public companies listed
on U.S. exchanges. There is a continuing debate as to
whether non-U.S. companies should have to comply with
this extra layer of regulation. Debate about international
companies (non-U.S.) adopting SOX-type standards
centers on whether the benefits exceed the costs. The
concern is that the higher costs of SOX compliance are
making the U.S. securities markets less competitive.
– The textbook mentions a number of ethics violations,
such as WorldCom, AIG, and Lehman Brothers. These
problems have also occurred internationally, for example,
at Satyam Computer Services (India), Parmalat (Italy),
and Royal Ahold (the Netherlands).
IFRS Insights – Relevant Facts
– IFRS tends to be simpler in its accounting and disclosure
requirements; some people say more “principles-based.”
GAAP is more detailed; some people say more “rulesbased.” This difference in approach has resulted in a
debate about the merits of “principles-based” versus
“rules-based” standards.
– The SEC allows foreign companies that trade shares in
U.S. markets to file their IFRS financial statements
without reconciliation to GAAP.
Idea of Convergence
• Rules based accounting standards vs.
objectives-oriented approach
US GAAP → IFRS
• Objectives oriented (principles-based) approach
stresses professional judgment
IFRS Insights
ABOUT THE NUMBERS
Illustration IFRS1-1
Global Companies
Will US Move to IFRS?
Accounting Today Article –
“Accounting Convergence Unachievable”
Discussion Question
Q2-1 What is a conceptual framework? Why is a conceptual framework
necessary in financial accounting?
The Conceptual Framework
The Conceptual Framework has been described
as a constitution, a coherent system of
interrelated objectives and fundamental that lead
to consistent accounting standards.
• Maintain consistency among standards.
• Resolve new accounting problems.
• Provide user benefits.
Conceptual Framework
Overview of the Conceptual Framework

First Level = Basic Objectives

Second Level = Qualitative
Characteristics and Elements

Third Level = Recognition,
Measurement, and Disclosure
Concepts.
LO 2 Describe the FASB’s efforts to construct a conceptual framework.
Conceptual Framework
First Level: Basic Objectives
Objective of general-purpose financial reporting is:
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.
Second Level: Fundamental Concepts
Qualitative Characteristics
“The FASB identified the Qualitative Characteristics of
accounting information that distinguish better (more useful)
information from inferior (less useful) information for
decision-making purposes.”
Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Illustration 2-2
Hierarchy of
Accounting Qualities
LO 4 Identify the qualitative characteristics of accounting information.
Discussion Question
Q2-3 What is mean by the term “qualitative
characteristics of accounting information”?
Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Fundamental Quality—Relevance
To be relevant, accounting information must be capable of
making a difference in a decision.
Discussion Question
Q2-5 How is materiality (or immateriality) related to the
proper presentation of financial statements? What factors
and measures should be considered in assessing the
materiality of a misstatement in the presentation of a
financial statement?
Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Fundamental Quality—Faithful Representation
Faithful representation means that the numbers and
descriptions match what really existed or happened.
Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Enhancing Qualities
Articles
In Accounting, Truth Above All