...Deal or No Deal: Should the United States of America Adopt the International Financial Reporting Standards? Since 1936, accountants in the United States have been following a set of generally accepted guidelines, historically set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, for their practices. These guidelines have come to be known as the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP. Since their creation, these principles have protected companies and investors from fraud, as accounting practices can sometimes be questionable. The GAAP holds companies accountable for their financial reporting activities and includes rules accountants must follow regarding recording transactions and preparing financial statements. Recently, there have been questions regarding the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States as opposed to the International Financial Recording Standards, or IFRS ; and whether or not the United States should adopt these new accounting standards. There are a number of pros and cons to the International Financial Recording Standards as well as the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; however, I do not think that the United States should fully adopt the IFRS considering the history of the GAAP and the reason for the creation of its principles. As previously mentioned, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) has been responsible for setting accounting standards. In 1973, the Financial Accounting Standards...
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...as “to establish and improve standards of financial accounting and reporting that foster financial reporting by nongovernmental entities that provides decision-useful information to investor and other users of financial reports.” The International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) is an independent, privately funded accounting standard-setter based out of England. It replaces the International Accounting Standard Committee and was founded April 1, 2001. International Accounting Standard Board is responsible for development and publication of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS). The International Accounting Standard Board mission is to converged global accounting standard; develop a single set of high quality, understandable, and enforceable global accounting standards; provide high quality transparent and comparable information in financial statement and help the world’s capital market and other financial statement user make sound economic decision. Since more companies are doing business and seeking financing from outside their home countries, investors from other countries are now reading their financial statement. Hence, other countries has develop their own accounting standard which differ from the general accepted accounting principle therefore, it has led to confusion and misunderstanding. This has created a need for global accounting standards such as the international financial reporting standard, which is already used by more than one hundred and fifteen...
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...IFAC International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board October 2002 Exposure Draft Response Due Date January 15, 2003 Reporting on Compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards Proposed International Auditing Practice Statement Issued for Comment by: The International Federation of Accountants This International Auditing Practice Statement (IAPS) of the International Federation of Accountants has been prepared by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. It was approved for publication in September 2002. The exposure draft may be modified in the light of comments received before being issued in the form of an International Auditing Practice Statement The approved text of this Exposure Draft of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board is that published in the English language. Comments should be submitted so as to be received by January 15, 2003, preferably by e-mail, or on a computer disk or in writing. All comments will be considered a matter of public record. Comments should be addressed to: Technical Director International Federation of Accountants 535 Fifth Avenue, 26th Floor New York, New York 10017 USA E-mail responses should be sent to: EDComments@ifac.org Copyright © October 2002 by the International Federation of Accountants. All rights reserved. In order to achieve maximum exposure and feedback, IFAC encourages the reproduction of this publication in any format. International Federation of Accountants 535 Fifth...
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...statements is what the person preparing them intends to convey. However, different countries adopt different accounting treatments and disclosure patterns with respect to the same economic event. This may create confusion among the users while interpreting the financial statements. Financial statements that are based on a single, universally accepted and used GAAP will enable the world to exchange financial information in a meaningful and trustworthy manner. This will accelerate the globalisation of finance. Adoption of IFRS worldwide and in India The use of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as a universal financial reporting language is gaining momentum across the globe. Several countries have implemented IFRS and converged their national GAAP to IFRS. More than 100 countries throughout the world, including the 27 European Union member states, require or permit the use of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs), developed by the IASB. The number of countries adopting IFRS is expected to increase to 150 by the end of 2011. Countries such as China and Canada have announced their intention to adopt IFRS from 2008 and 2011 respectively. Adoption...
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...Accounting Standards Building international opportunities for Australian business Corporate Law Economic Reform Program Proposals for Reform: Paper No. 1 © Commonwealth of Australia 1997 ISBN 0 642 26110 5 This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Australian Government Publishing Service. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction rights should be directed to the Manager, Commonwealth Information Services, Australian Government Publishing Service, GPO Box 84, Canberra ACT 2601. The Government is seeking comments from interested parties on the detail of the proposals in this paper which should be forwarded to the following address:| First Assistant SecretaryBusiness Law DivisionThe TreasuryParkes PlacePARKES ACT 2600|Telephone:Fax:Email:|02 6263 396002 6263 2882clerp@treasury.gov.au| Copies of this paper are available from the Australian Government Publishing Service and on the Treasury web site (http://www.treasury.gov.au).Enquiries concerning the paper can be made to:Ms Veronique IngramAssistant SecretaryThe TreasuryTelephone: 02 6263 3970| Printed by the Australian Government Publishing Service Table of Contents Page Abbreviations v PART 1: Reform Proposals 1 PART 2: Introduction 9 2.1 Background 9 2.2 Key economic principles 10 PART 3: The Case for Reform 11 3.1 Impetus for reform 11 3.2 What the Government is seeking...
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...INTRODUCTION For more than a decade now, there has been a movement around the world to develop a common set of high-quality accounting standards that can be applied globally. Comparable accounting around the world, if high standards are instilled and application was consistent, would make markets more efficient by letting investors compare companies from different countries. In particular, the issue of American adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is of importance because IFRS standards are used by companies in many countries around the world, including all the countries in the European Union, and some say that the best hope for assuring that the international standards are uniformly followed would be having The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), responsible for deciding what accounting rules apply in the United States, involved in enforcing them (Norris, 2012). But, efforts have been under way for years to accomplish this convergence and in a number of areas they have been unable to reach agreements. Because of the expansion of commerce worldwide by many businesses, other issues have arose in this process, such as the need for common global regulation of banks and a need for a global set of ethical standards. In the 1970s, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FPCA) sent a chill throughout the business community by criminalizing the act of making payments outside the US in pursuit of contracts (George, 2008). Making payments to obtain business is...
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...auditors receive support from the established professional bodies, these support mechanisms are still lacking in China. II. The recent economic reform program stimulated the growth of the accounting profession in China. A. With the recognition by the State of joint stock company form, the demands for financial information from investors and other interested parties increased. B. The establishment of two stock exchanges helped rapid growth of the accounting activities. C. Various government regulations on the implementation of economic reform measures require the involvement of independent auditors. D. The laws on joint ventures with foreign companies require the audit of annual statements. E. International accounting firms were allowed to be involved in training local auditors and setting auditing standards. III. There are clear signals that Anglo-American...
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...Journal of International Business and Cultural Studies Human resource accounting and international developments: implications for measurement of human capital Maria L. Bullen Clayton State University Kel-Ann Eyler Wesleyan College Abstract Human Resource Accounting (HRA) involves accounting for expenditures related to human resources as assets as opposed to traditional accounting which treats these costs as expenses that reduce profit. Interest and contributions to growth in HRA have been evident in a number of countries. The strong growth of international financial reporting standards (IFRS) is an indication that the environment for international financial accounting is one that potentially encourages the consideration of alternative measurement and reporting standards and lends support to the possibility that future financial reports may include nontraditional measurements such as the value of human resources using HRA methods. Keywords: Human Resource Accounting, Human Capital, Intellectual Capital, International Accounting, International Financial Reporting, International Financial Reporting Standards Human Resource Accounting, Page 1 Journal of International Business and Cultural Studies Introduction Human Resource Accounting (HRA) involves accounting for the company’s management and employees as human capital that provides future benefits. In the HRA approach, expenditures related to human resources are reported as assets on the balance sheet as opposed to the...
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...How International Differences in the Ownership and Financing of Companies Could Lead to Differences in Financial Reporting Introduction The major objective behind the development of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) has been to achieve financial reporting across different countries, which could be easily compared. In order to achieve this kind of comparability, it is very crucial that the IFRS be used by all the countries involved in the same way, and that these standards be interpreted as well as applied in a manner that is quite consistent in these countries thus leading to consistency in terms of rules or form of application and consistency in the actual manner in which they are applied. However, there are many factors that make it hard for countries and companies to apply these rules consistently (Whittington, 2005). Differences in the ownership structure and the way these companies are financed have been singled out as leading to the differences in financial reporting of these companies. In cases where countries do come up with very drastic changes or the professional accountants also fail to clearly interpret and use these IFRS in a manner that is consistent, then there is the risk of not achieving comparability. The differences in accounting practices across countries are not obvious when it comes to all accountants. Such differences that have been widely noted have to do with the ownership and financing practices of companies, which have the...
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...study of the practical and theoretical issues involved in the development, implementation and changes in conceptual framework and regulatory framework. COURSE OUTCOME At the end of the course, students should be able to: 1. Discuss the various theories and paradigms in accounting. 2. Demonstrate an understanding on the concept of Islamic Accounting, the need for it and its differences to conventional accounting. 3. Evaluate the evolution of the conceptual framework and standard setting process, nationally and internationally. 4. Evaluate the relationship between accounting theories and framework to the practice in the real world. 5. Analyze the recognition, measurement and other current issues in financial reporting. COURSE OUTLINE |Week |Topic |Contact Hours |Learning Levels|References | | | | | | | |1 |Historical development of accounting |3 |1,2 |Belkaoui | | |...
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...• The need for and the structure of professional regulation, company law, stock exchange legislation and EU Directives. • How the different aspects of regulation work together and complement each other. • The process through which an accounting standard comes into being. REVISION RESOURCES EXAM QUESTIONS: Sample and Past papers are available from the website of Accounting Technicians Ireland and are essential aids when studying Advanced Financial Accounting topics. 7 Chapter 2 : Regulation in Financial Accounting 2.1 Advanced Financial Accounting the FunCtion oF FinanCial aCCounting and reporting The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in their Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting state that ‘the objective of general purpose financial reporting is to provide financial information about the reporting entity that is useful to existing and potential investors, lenders and other creditors in making decisions about providing resources to the entity. Those decisions involve buying, selling or holding equity and debt instruments, and providing or settling loans and other forms of credit’. This Conceptual Framework is discussed in detail within chapter 3. Therefore, the motivation for all accounting is to provide information, financial or otherwise, that can assist the users of financial statements in their economic decision-making. While there are many definitions of accounting worldwide, provided by various accounting...
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...Journal of Business Cases and Applications The state of accounting in Egypt: a case Khaled Dahawy The American University in Cairo Nermeen F. Shehata Cairo University Tad Ransopher Georgia State University Abstract Egypt, one of the largest Middle East economies, is beginning its transition to a market economy. As a developing nation, Egypt has witnessed several changes in its accounting system during last two decades. This case provides an analysis of the Egyptian accounting system with emphasis on the development of the Egyptian Accounting Standards. In addition, this case makes recommendations for the reformation of the Egyptian accounting system. Keywords: Egypt, International accounting standards, Egyptian accounting standards, Egyptian accounting system, Privatization, Culture The state of accounting, Page 1 Journal of Business Cases and Applications 1. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this case is twofold. The first goal is to present an analysis of the development of the Egyptian accounting system. The second goal is to provide several recommendations to facilitate the Egyptian accounting reformation. Once accounting reformation occurs, Egyptian companies can prepare financial reports that will be of greater benefit than those at present. To Egyptian companies the result will be an increase in foreign investment and funds raised from external sources. With these goals as the objective, Egyptians need to comprehend successful accounting systems...
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...INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ON AUDITING 700 FORMING AN OPINION AND REPORTING ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Effective for audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2009) Introduction Scope of this ISA 1. This International Standard on Auditing (ISA) deals with the auditor’s responsibility to form an opinion on the financial statements. It also deals with the form and content of the auditor’s report issued as a result of an audit of financial statements. 2. ISA 7051 and ISA 7062 deal with how the form and content of the auditor’s report are affected when the auditor expresses a modified opinion or includes an Emphasis of Matter paragraph or an Other Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report. 3. This ISA is written in the context of a complete set of general purpose financial statements. ISA 8003 deals with special considerations when financial statements are prepared in accordance with a special purpose framework. ISA 8054 deals with special considerations relevant to an audit of a single financial statement or of a specific element, account or item of a financial statement. 4. This ISA promotes consistency in the auditor’s report. Consistency in the auditor’s report, when the audit has been conducted in accordance with ISAs, promotes credibility in the global marketplace by making more readily identifiable those audits that have been conducted in accordance with globally recognized standards. It also helps to promote the user’s understanding...
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...Question 1(i) Main purposes of Conceptual Framework Document The Conceptual Framework explains the main objectives as well as the concepts that underlie financial accounting and reporting. The Conceptual Framework creates the concepts that are useful in developing International Accounting Standards and other documents that provide guidance on information included in general purpose financial statements. It standardizes the development and revision of accounting standards. However, the framework does not override the accounting standards in this case. The main purpose of financial accounting and reporting is basically the foundation of the Conceptual Framework. The Conceptual Framework document generally explains the concepts that underlie the preparation and presentation of financial statements for external users such as the investors, creditors, government and so on in order to help them to make wise decision. Secondly, it also support the development of future accounting standards and also minimizes the basis for alternative accounting treatments by creating the rules that should be followed in preparing financial information. Thirdly, it can also help preparers and auditors of financial information in dealing with issues that are not the subject matter of an accounting standard for any transactions, events, conditions or circumstances. Lastly, it aids national standard setting bodies in developing national accounting standards. It also prevents the accountancy profession...
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...International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS): Pros and Cons for Investors by Ray Ball* Sidney Davidson Professor of Accounting Graduate School of Business University of Chicago 5807 S. Woodlawn Ave Chicago, IL 60637 Tel. (773) 834 5941 ray.ball@gsb.uchicago.edu Acknowledgments This paper is based on the PD Leake Lecture delivered on 8 September 2005 at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which can be accessed at http://www.icaew.co.uk/cbp/index.cfm. It draws extensively on the framework in Ball (1995) and benefited from comments by Steve Zeff. Financial support from the PD Leake Trust and the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago is gratefully acknowledged. 1 Abstract Accounting in shaped by economic and political forces. It follows that increased worldwide integration of both markets and politics (driven by reductions in communications and information processing costs) makes increased integration of financial reporting standards and practice almost inevitable. But most market and political forces will remain local for the foreseeable future, so it is unclear how much convergence in actual financial reporting practice will (or should) occur. Furthermore, there is little settled theory or evidence on which to build an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of uniform accounting rules within a country, let alone internationally. The pros and cons of IFRS therefore are somewhat conjectural, the unbridled enthusiasm...
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