...Comparing IFRS to GAAP Donald Cleveland University of Phoenix Kurt Meyer ACC/290 Author Note [Include any grant/funding information and a complete correspondence address.] Abstract [The abstract should be one paragraph of between 150 and 250 words. It is not indented. Section titles, such as the word Abstract above, are not considered headings so they don’t use bold heading format. Instead, use the Section Title style. This style automatically starts your section on a new page, so you don’t have to add page breaks. Note that all of the styles for this template are available on the Home tab of the ribbon, in the Styles gallery.] Keywords: [Click here to add keywords.] Comparing IFRS to GAAP In the financial industry there is a well-known difference between how the United States operates, and how the rest of the world conducts accounting practices. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is the accounting standard practiced in the US. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is the accounting standard used around the world. GAAP is known to have more rules, while IFRS is based more on principle and general acceptance. In this paper GAAP and IFRS will be compared and contrasted in a brief overview. IFRS 2-1 The main difference between the formatting of IFRS and GAAP statement of financial of position and a GAAP balance sheet is the ordering of liquidity. IFRS does not require a particular order or any classification of accounts. It is common for companies...
Words: 967 - Pages: 4
...whether it be private or public. IFRS and GAAP are two major accounting instruments that play a huge role in the accounting industry. IFRS stands for International Financial Reporting Standards. IFRS defines the accounting standards that are developed and approved by an independent, not-for-profit organization called the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The IASB is a private sector that was established in the year of 2011 and currently has 16 members. While GAAP, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, is a combination of authoritative standards and simply the commonly accepted ways of recording and reporting accounting information. Both remain of high importance and hold differences as to why they are each valuable to the accounting process. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL The format of a statement of financial or position under IFRS often differs from a balance sheet presented under Generally Accepted Accounting Principals. (Wiley, 2015, "The Accounting Information System") The reason being is that GAAP requires that the assets be listed in order depending of the measurement of liquidity. It is mandatory that GAAP's particular accounts be listed in a specific order depending on its hierarchy. The shareholders equity will be the last item recorded. In order to make things easier when recording future reports, cash must always be listed first. By listing the cash first, it will be considered the highest asset. On the other hand, IFRS does not give a specific order for...
Words: 835 - Pages: 4
...Comparing IFRS to GAAP Essay ACC/291 10/12/15 James Ferguson Comparing IFRS to GAAP Essay The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) have some similarities and differences when it comes to accounting for liabilities. There are steps that are taken by both the FASB and IASB to move to fair value measurement for financial instruments. There are some differences between these approaches. IFRS 8-1 What are some steps taken by both the FASB and IASB to move to fair value measurement for financial instruments? In what ways have some approaches differed? It doesn’t matter if the FASB or IASB is followed; the steps taken to move to fair value measurement for financial instruments are to be noted in the financial statements regarding fair value measurement practices. Under each system, a company must report the assets at book value or fair value situational depending. Every asset in the same class of assets must get the same valuation. When valuing receivables, the IFRS operates under a two-tiered method that will analyze individual receivables first then takes a look at receivables as a whole to see if there is any impairment. IFRS 9-1 What component depreciation, and when must it be used? Component depreciation should be used when parts of the assets are fundamentally different. It is when the asset has different components with varying lifespans. Under IFRS, companies are required to use component depreciation...
Words: 804 - Pages: 4
...Ricky Green ACC/290 Comparing IFRS to GAAP Essay 9- 21-15 Sherrick Johnson Introduction Comparing IFRS and GAAP, and understanding how the fair value measurement help organizations keep accurate reporting of the company’s assets. Organizations under GAAP and IFRS have different requirements when using Component depreciation methods. The revaluation of plant assets changes when the economic market changes. Explaining the difference between development cost and development expenses, and how the GAAP and IFRS report the accounts on the finical statements. The understand organizations Contingency liabilities accounts are reported, and the principals of accounting for liabilities amongst the GAAP and IFRS. IFRS 8-1 The fair value measurements give people who use finical statements with an accurate picture of the value in a company’s assets. ISAB and FASB require organizations to provide truthful information concerning fair value practices in their financial statement notes. GAAP and IFRS both require organizations to state assets at book value or fair value, depending on the situation. Both systems have a disciplinary action in place if violations of fair value measurements occur. IFRS 9-1: Component depreciation is when an asset has different components that are depreciated with different treatment. Under IFRS organizations are obligatory to use component depreciation if the components of the asset are varying different patterns of benefits. This method...
Words: 744 - Pages: 3
...Comparing IFRS to GAAP Paper ACC/291 Comparing IFRS to GAAP Essay RECONCILING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Different assets, liabilities, and equity instruments are measured at fair value. The standards in U.S. GAAP and IFRS that require or permit fair value measurements are different. As a consequence, an asset, liability, or equity instrument that is measured at fair value in U.S. GAAP might not be measured at fair value in IFRS and vice versa. The Boards have separate projects to address the measurement basis in other standards (for example, the projects to address the accounting for financial instruments and leases). There will be different accounting requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS for measuring the fair value of investments in investment company entities. Some the disclosures about fair value measurements will be different for U.S. GAAP and IFRS. For example, IFRS do not distinguish between recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. In addition, because IFRS generally do not allow net presentation for derivatives, the amounts disclosed for fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy might differ. COMPONENT DEPRECIATION Component depreciation happens when an asset has fundamentally different parts that should be depreciated...
Words: 762 - Pages: 4
...Comparing GAAP and IFRS Essay Sharelle Lee ACC/291 - PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING II Monday, July 4, 2016 BRIAN FRIEDEL Introduction Generally Accepted Accounting Principles other known as GAAP is an accounting standard used in the United States and the International Financial Reporting Standards better known as IFRS is an accounting standard in countries all around the world. The biggest difference between the two is GAAP is rules based and IFRS is more principle based. GAAP and IFRS strive to give accurate information to users but, GAAP gives different objectives for business entities and non-business entities unlike IFRS who only uses one objective for all entities. A balance sheet, income statement, statement of comprehensive income, changes in equity, cash flow statement, and footnotes are all required with GAAP. IFRS requires a balance sheet, income statement, changes in equity, cash flow statement, footnotes and a current and noncurrent report of assets and liabilities. FASB and IASB fair market value Those who use fair value measurements have the ability to see financial statements that show a more precise view of a company and its assets. IFRS and GAAP require businesses to include data in regards to fair value measurements in a financial statement. Businesses are required to report fair value depending on the circumstances. Component Depreciation Component Depreciation occurs...
Words: 721 - Pages: 3
...Comparing IFRS to GAAP Essay Bruce Liddy 8/11/15 ACC/291 IFRS 8-1: What are some steps taken by both the FASB and IASB to move to fair value measurement for financial instruments? In what ways have some of the approaches differed? Fair value measurements have the power to provide users of financial statements with an accurate depiction of the value of the company’s assets. IFRS and GAAP are strict in the fact that they require the firms to include information regarding fair value measurement practices in the notes of financial statements. When following either system, the companies will be required to report assets at either book value or fair value. The outcome really just depends on the situation. All assets in the same class must receive the same valuation treatment. When it comes to the value of receivables, the IRFS uses a two-tiered method that analyzes individual receivables, as well as, looks at receivables as a whole to determine if there is any impairment. IFRS 9-1: What is component depreciation, and when must it be used? Component depreciation happens when an asset has fundamentally different parts that should be depreciated with different treatment. Under IFRS, firms are required to use component depreciation if the parts of the asset offer varying patterns of benefit. The reasoning behind this is that it provides a clearing of the asset’s book value. This method is also permitted under GAAP, but U.S. companies rarely use it in practice (Ernst & Young...
Words: 797 - Pages: 4
...Comparing IFRS to GAAP Essay In the Accounting industry, there are various principles and guidelines by which financial accountants, analysts, and organizations need to abide by. The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issues standards (IFRS) that have been adopted by the United States and several countries outside of the U.S. (University of Phoenix, 2013). The IFRS along with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), professionals in the accounting industry use these guidelines as a baseline on which accounting practices are built upon. These standards are governed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which ultimately oversees U.S. financial markets and accounting standard-setting bodies. Moving forward, the elements of IFRS and GAAP will be discussed to illustrate the similarities and differences and how it relates to Accounting and used in business practice. IFRS 8-1: Fair-Value Measurement Fair value measurements provide users of financial statements with an accurate picture of the value of a company’s assets. Both IFRS and GAAP require firms to include information regarding fair value measurements practices in the notes of financial statements. Under either system, companies will be required to report assets at either book value or fair value, depending on the situation. As a general rule of thumb, all assets in the same class must receive the same valuation treatment. In regards to the value of receivables, IFRS uses a two-tiered method...
Words: 856 - Pages: 4
...Comparing IFRS to GAAP In financial reporting the U.S uses the generally accepted accounting principles, to record and report. The international financial reporting standards have been used in over 110 countries all over the world. The have similarities but are very different in structure as well, the GAAP is rules based and the IFRS is more principle based when it comes to financial reporting. I will cover some of these difference and similarities in this essay. In what ways does the format of a statement of financial position under the IFRS often differ from a balance sheet presented under GAAP? The IFRS does not require that the statement of financial position be put into a specific order, when reporting financial information. However most under companies IFRS will report their assets in reverse order of liquidity. Under the GAAP companies are required, to report all accounts in specific order by liquidity. Do the IFRS and GAAP conceptual frameworks differ in terms of the objective of financial reporting? No the objectives are both the same for the GAAP and IFRS, they have very similar ways of reporting financial information. They both want companies to keep the information they report up to date, and data needs to be reported in an honest manner. All data reported should also be useful, to an investor, creditor, or regulator. When information is reported correctly, companies are abiding by the industry standard set forth. What terms commonly used under IFRS are synonymous...
Words: 970 - Pages: 4
...which they can hope to receive important investments. The process of Harmony around the world seems to be a challenge, however in 2006, Canada’s accounting board, AcSB, made a strategic move in giving the option for firms in the public sector the choice of presenting their financial statement in accordance with IFRS which would be in effect as of January 2011. This essay seeks to establish the influential factors that shaped the accounting standards in Canada, and to distinguish any key differences in relation to the UK accounting system using the Canadian private enterprise, Good Group. This paper will primarily focus on the Private sector that choose to present under the ASPE system, as both Canada and UK use different accounting standards for which they implement in this sector. Canada’s Accounting System Like many other countries around the world, Canada has multiple accounting standards to meet the needs of different segments within their accounting environment. The system is categorized into three sections: Public Companies: IFRS or US GAAP (Only SEC registrants can apply US GAAP) Private Businesses: IFRS or ASPE Not for Profit Organizations: IFRS or MIC (Made in Canada) The reason for the multiple standards is because as the AcSB stated, “One size does not necessarily fit all” (NotforProfit). Culturally it’s a...
Words: 1057 - Pages: 5
...concerns about the discussion of fair value measurement under both the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) and US national standard-setter, the Financial Accounting Standards Accounting (FASB). So far, IASB and FASB have created a uniform framework for how to measure fair value for entities around the world. By publishing IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement, the IASB established a single source of guidance under IFRS for all fair value measurements. After searching relevant sources from financial books and economic websites, some of the issues about fair value accounting have been clarified and analysed. This assignment provides a better understanding of the joint work between IASB and FASB, the definition of fair value under both standards, the relevant issue about IFRS 13 and why accounting differences exist. A. Explain the purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding between the IASB and the US national standard-setter, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Theoretically, A Memorandum of Understanding is a document that involved a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties (Wikipedia 2011). In this particular research essay, the Memorandum of Understanding is a convergence process that both the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) and US national standard-setter, the Financial Accounting Standards Accounting (FASB) would take steps to balanced the reciprocal structural changes (Aicpa 2006). The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding...
Words: 3705 - Pages: 15
...Summary Comparing different companies under different rules, or comparing one company in different time period can be complicating and often misleading when differences in accounting methods are not captured. In this essay, I will start the analysis by examining each firm’s change in accounting methods compared to their previous year. Then I will move on to comparing the three companies’ ratios to conduct analysis of each company based on the DuPont Method. In addition, I will also look at how changes in accounting methods affected Seven and I holdings’ results in 2013 when compared to 2012. Finally, I will conclude my analysis on how comparable it was under different accounting methods based on above analysis. _____ Three Companies Chosen for Analysis For this ratio analysis assignment, I chose three companies from the UK, US and Japan: Walmart Country: US Industry: Supermarket Retail Accounting Standard: GAAP TESCO Country: UK Industry: Supermarket Retail Accounting Standard: IFRS Seven and I Holdings Country: Japan Industry: Supermarket Retail Accounting Standard: Japan Standard _____ Change/Amendments in Accounting Methods Walmart Even though there is a mention about recent accounting pronouncements and future adoption of those policies, there is and will be no effect in the firm’s net income, financial position or cash flows. Sainsbury Although there were two amendments effective from this annual reports, the firm has concluded...
Words: 1255 - Pages: 6
...Exercise 2-3 To: Jim Kakes From: Zhenqun Huang Subject: Suggestion about CMA Date: Sep. 10 2012 This memo is in response to your questions hiring a CMA. This memo will first explain Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and then discuss the value of CMA to the company. After you know the designation of CMA, you will be better able to decide whether the extra amount salary is worth. What Is Certified Management Accountant (CMA)? The title Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is used by various professional bodies around the world to designate their different professional certifications. CMA is also called as The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) in the United State. IMA is a collective voice of accountants and financial professionals around the world who work in business, with job responsibilities distinct from those in public accounting. The Value of CMA to the Company IMA raises awareness of management accounting, which includes jobs in decision support, plan, and control positions. Some common job titles for management accountants include: Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Treasurer, Vice President of Finance, Controller, Treasurer, Finance Manager, Internal Auditor, Corporate or Division Planner, Cost Accountant, and Staff Accountant. The four-part CMA exam covers a wider body of knowledge, including Business Analysis, Management Accounting and Reporting, Strategic Management, and Business Applications which give the accounting staff a broader background...
Words: 2176 - Pages: 9
...Accounting Horizons Vol. 24, No. 3 2010 pp. 355–394 American Accounting Association DOI: 10.2308/acch.2010.24.3.355 Global Accounting Convergence and the Potential Adoption of IFRS by the U.S. (Part I): Conceptual Underpinnings and Economic Analysis Luzi Hail, Christian Leuz, and Peter Wysocki SYNOPSIS: This article is Part I of a two-part series analyzing the economic and policy factors related to the potential adoption of IFRS by the United States. In this part, we develop the conceptual framework for our analysis of potential costs and benefits from IFRS adoption in the United States. Drawing on the academic literature in accounting, finance, and economics, we assess the potential impact of IFRS adoption on the quality and comparability of U.S. reporting practices, the ensuing capital market effects, and the potential costs of switching from U.S. GAAP to IFRS. We also discuss the compatibility of IFRS with the current U.S. regulatory and legal environment, as well as the possible macroeconomic effects of IFRS adoption. Our analysis shows that the decision to adopt IFRS mainly involves a cost-benefit trade-off between ͑1͒ recurring, albeit modest, comparability benefits for investors; ͑2͒ recurring future cost savings that will largely accrue to multinational companies; and ͑3͒ one-time transition costs borne by all firms and the U.S. economy as a whole, including those from adjustments to U.S. institutions. In Part II of the series ͑see Hail et al. 2010͒, we provide an analysis...
Words: 26892 - Pages: 108
...IFRS adoption and analysts’ earnings forecasts: Australian evidence Julie Cottera University of Southern Queensland Ann Tarcab University of Western Australia Marvin Weeb University of Western Australia a b University of Southern Queensland. University of Western Australia. Address for correspondence: Ann Tarca, UWA Business School, M250, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009. Email: Ann.Tarca@uwa.edu.au Tel: +61 8 6488 3868. Version 24 August 2009 ____________________________________________________________ _____________ We thank Wendy Hsu, Tasha Grieve, Dessalegn Mihret, Lalith Seelanatha and Anthony Vu for data collection assistance. We also acknowledge the financial support of the Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand (AFAANZ), UWA Business School and the University of Southern Queensland. We thank Millicent Chang, John Holland, Izan and seminar participants at Monash University and the University of Queensland for their helpful comments. We particularly acknowledge the assistance of Philip Brown and John Preiato in the preparation of this paper. IFRS adoption and analysts’ earnings forecasts: Australian evidence Abstract We study 145 large listed Australian firms to explore the impact of IFRS adoption on the properties of analysts’ forecasts and the role of firm disclosure about IFRS impact. We find that analyst forecast accuracy improves and there is no significant change in dispersion in the adoption year, suggesting...
Words: 13253 - Pages: 54
