To define accounting, is the process to identify measure and communicate economic information for the users of the information to come up with an informed judgement. (Association, n.d.). Standing the test of time, this definition defined the very purpose of accounting, which is to provide information to decision makers. As stated by this definition, accounting itself, is a process by which, financial reports are to be provided for the use of decision makers. Actually, Accounting is an information system wherein the key product of which is a set of financial reports. – The document that reports financial information about an entity to decision makers. Personal Planning, education, expenses, loans and payments, income taxes all use this information system that is accounting, (Conrado T. Valix, 2007)
Having been defined as such, it is governed by rules and regulations, ensuring that it will provide a quality financial report enabling its decision makers to create intelligent decisions, these rules and regulations are defined Conceptual Framework – the professional and regulatory framework accounting that are concepts used in the preparation and presentation of financial reports. It covers the Concepts of Capital and Capital Maintenance, the Objective of Financial Statements, the Qualitative Characteristics of the Financial reports , (focusing on the manner of the report’s presentation and content) – or the qualities or attributes that make the reports useful to the users, and the Elements of the Financial Reports itself, the definition, recognition and measurement of financial statements. (Elerie Aranas, 2011)
The Qualitative Characteristics is one of the principles making up the conceptual framework of accounting, established to ensure the report’s quality. Given these concepts pertaining to a report’s content (Relevance and Reliability) – which is the primary