2015-10-07 Accounting Standards Accountants throughout the world follow sets of rules or standards. Historically, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) has established the standards for Canadian accountants. Why is it important to have these rules? Accounting Standards GAAP Accounting standards are made available in the CICA handbook. The most important sections of the handbook contained the Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (CANADIAN GAAP) In 2006 the AcSB announced a process to replace the Canadian GAAP with the International Financial Reporting Standards. (IFRS) 1 2015-10-07 Accounting Standards GAAP Moving to international standards will help Canadian businesses communicate globally. The start date for switching to IFRS was January 1, 2011. This requirement was for public companies only. Private businesses can use IFRS or a set of guidelines called the Accounting Standards for Private Enterprise (ASPE) Accounting Standard (ASPE & IFRS) Business Entity Concept Accounting done for a business organization must be separate from that of the owner’s personal accounting or from that of any other business or organization. Separation between personal and business assets. 2 2015-10-07 Accounting Standard (ASPE) Cost Principle For ASPE (Accounting Standards for Private Enterprise) Accountants record the value of assets at their historical cost price. Accounting Standard (ASPE) Continuing Concern Concept Assumption that the business will continue to operate normally unless it is known that it will not. Allows the reader of a balance sheet to assume assets will be used in the normal course of business and debts will be paid. Accounting Standard (IFRS) Revaluation Model Allows for modifications to the cost principle. It outlines an accounting procedure that allows accountants to change the value of particular assets based on market conditions. If a business revalued an asset that was originally worth $30,000 to $50,000 what else would have to change in order to make the Fundamental Accounting Equation still work? 3