...Prepared Remarks by Sir David Tweedie, Chairman of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), to the US Chamber of Commerce Event, “‘The Future of Financial Reporting: Convergence or Not?”’ Washington, DC, USA 10 March 2011 I would like to thank the US Chamber of Commerce and its Center for Capital Market Competitiveness for organising today’s event on the future of financial reporting. I have a great affinity with the United States and have always enjoyed my time here. With that in mind, it is not surprising that we at the IASB and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) have worked so successfully in partnership over the past decade. I am delighted to present at the same event as my friend and colleague, Leslie Seidman. This event on the future of financial reporting is timely. Years from now, we will look back on 2011 as a year when the future path of financial reporting was determined. There are two key activities coming to a head this year. First, the IASB and the FASB are now nearing the completion of a nine-year programme to improve International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and to bring about their convergence. Second, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will make a decision on the use of IFRSs by US domestic companies. The SEC’s decision will be felt well beyond the borders of the United States. Today, more than 100 countries either require or permit the use of IFRSs for listed...
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...FINANCIAL SYSTEMS FU TURE CHALLENGES IN GROWING COMPLEX E NVIRONMENT DISSERTATION Roszak Sabrina Msc BC & IS Management 1 MSC IS&BCFinancial SYSTEMS FUTURE Challenges in growing complex environment DISS Acknowledgements It is not an easy task going back to school after seven years of work experience. And it is much harder going back to school being a young mum. For this reason, my deepest gratitude goes to my family who has always supported me and helped me in this initiative. Especially, I would like to thank my parents who always believed in me, my husband who encourages me and over all, my son, whose love gave me all necessary energy and strength. I would also like take the opportunity to thank all the teachers from the MSc, especially Ms. Hirzmann who encourages me in my professional choices and future carrier and my professor Mr. Parmantier who helped me complete this dissertation. F inally, I would like to express my gratitude to Mrs. Jalabert, SBM MONACO Finance Director for her time spent answering my questionnaire. 2 MSC IS&BCFinancial SYSTEMS FUTURE Challenges in growing complex environment DISS Glossary BI: Business Intelligence BSC: Balanced Scorecard CFO: Chief Financial Officer CPI: Cost Performance Indicator CPM: Corporate Performance Management CR: Corporate Reporting CRM: Customer Relationship Management EPM: Enterprise Performance Management ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning FASB: Financial...
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...subsidiaries outside their reporting entity jurisdiction. A reporting entity is an entity which is the principle co of different subsidiaries operating under their control. Subsidiaries are the companies reporting under a principle co whose accounts are consolidated at the end of the reporting entity period. Reporting entity period is the period where the reporting entity accounts are prepared and subsidiaries accounts are prepared according to their reporting period and at the end they are consolidated with the reporting entity accounts so that their accounts give a true and fair view. Now the point is that subsidiaries accounts may be prepared in a different jurisdiction where as the reporting entity accounts are prepared in their home jurisdiction. Subsidiaries must report their accounts in their own jurisdiction currency as well as in the reporting entity jurisdiction currency so that there is fair accounting and the accounts are prepared according to standards. Body: IAS 21 “The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates” International accounting standard on foreign currency deals with the study of foreign exchange risks faced by a company. An entity must report their accounts in their home jurisdiction currency so that their accounts are prepared in accordance with the international standards on accounting. Standard does not allow the dual effect of reporting means an entity should not report dually in the same currency so that risk of dual reporting is minimized. The standard...
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...A critical review of the trade-offs between the concepts of relevance and reliability in financial reporting Theme: Financial Accounting Classification: M41 Author: Prof D Coetsee Affiliation: Department of Accountancy, University of Johannesburg, South Africa Contact address: Department of Accountancy R-Ring 607 University of Johannesburg PO Box 524 Auckland Park Johannesburg South-Africa 2006 Telephone: +27-11-559-3047 Fax: +27-11-559-2777 E-Mail dcoetsee@uj.ac.za A critical review of the trade-offs between the concepts of relevance and reliability in financial reporting |Abstract | |In an information orientated system of financial reporting the move from historical cost to fair value | |accounting has created numerous debates surrounding the trade-offs of the concepts of relevance and | |reliability. This article contributes to the debate by critically reviewing the current developments of | |these trade-offs to determine whether current financial reporting guidelines are appropriate to deal with | |the difficulties and uncertainties of financial reporting. The article found that the proposals of the joint| |framework discussion paper goes a long way in resolving the issues around the trade-offs of relevance and | |reliability. Changing the concept of reliability to faithful representation...
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...its stakeholders, society, and even the planet. Integrated reporting, which encompasses elements of traditional financial reporting, sustainability reporting, and governance reporting within a single presentation, represents a growing trend that reflects these new expectations. The core concept underlying the term “integrated reporting” is providing one report that fully integrates a company’s financial and non-financial (including environmental, social, governance and intangibles) information. Integrated reporting offers the opportunity to centre business reporting on strategy and value creation, to demonstrate how the business uses capital and the extent to which they should continue to be invested in business. Integrated reporting is a journey. Organizations are unlikely to achieve perfection in the first year. In the absence of a generally accepted framework, companies that wish to move toward integrated reporting may encounter several dilemmas around relevance, scope, assurance and other issues. However, as reporting processes for the production of the supporting information are designed and improved and as the executive team begins to benefit from a more informed implementation of the governing structures’ decision, reporting will improve. This paper considers the rationale behind the move towards Integrated Reporting, offers initial proposals for the development of an International Integrated Reporting Framework, and outlines the next steps towards its creation...
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...ABC Financial 123 Financial Parkway October 25, 2011 TO: ABC Financial FROM: Larrissa Thompson SUBJUCT: Required Reporting This memo is to notify the company of required reporting for defined contribution, defined benefit, and other postretirement plans. It will also discuss what should happen when trying to eliminate two segments. Once a company acquires another business the operations, policies, and practices will have to change. When looking at pensions they are special in the category of liabilities. This expense for periodic costs isn’t tied to changes in the balance sheet. When a pension plan is established a company must make estimates of future obligations, and it must reflect in the financials as long term liabilities. There are some obstacles that the company may face while trying accurately to forecast such as not knowing future employee salary levels, which the future benefits are based on, vesting events, and investment active of fund assets. The company must apply the proper discount rate that should be selected to discount the estimated obligations of the future to a present value. There are reporting requirements that should be considered for a business with multiple business segments that has separate postretirement plans and plans to eliminate them. The reporting for defined contribution, defined benefits, and other postretirement plans should be researched and the proper procedures on eliminating the two segments...
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...A conceptual framework for financial reporting A conceptual framework, in the field we are concerned with, is a statement of generally accepted theoretical principles which form the frame of reference for financial reporting. The financial reporting process is concerned with providing information that is useful in the business and economic decision-making process. Therefore a conceptual framework will form the theoretical basis for determining which events should be accounted for, how they should be measured and how they should be communicated to the user. Although it is theoretical in nature, a conceptual framework for financial reporting has highly practical final aims. The danger of not having a conceptual framework is demonstrated in the way some countries' standards have developed over recent years; standards tend to be produced in a haphazard and fire-fighting approach. Where an agreed framework exists, the standard-setting body act as an architect or designer, rather than a fire-fighter, building accounting rules on the foundation of sound, agreed basic principles. The lack of a conceptual framework also means that fundamental principles are tackled more than once in different standards, thereby producing contradictions and inconsistencies in basic concepts, such as those of prudence and matching. This leads to ambiguity and it affects the true and fair concept of financial reporting. Another problem with the lack of a conceptual framework has become apparent in the...
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...How to measure the quality of voluntary disclosure in annual reports The goal of voluntary disclosure is to give more information than required of reporting standards. This to create more disclosure (Scott, 2009, p.109). Although voluntary disclosure provides more information than required, the earnings quality can be questionable. Earnings quality can be defined as the extent to which reported earnings faithfully represent Hicksian income (Schipper and Vincent, 2000). The Hicksian income corresponds to the amount that can be pay out as dividend without damaging the firm (Hicks, 1939, p.176) and the definition of faithfulness means “correspondence or agreement between a measure or description and the phenomenon that it purports to present” (FASB Concepts Statement, No. 2, para. 63). The quality of the financial reporting are interesting for investment decision making. Low-quality earnings provide an incomplete allocation of resources. Also contracting of decisions based on low-quality will induce unintended wealth transfers (Schipper and Vincent, 2000). Schipper and Vincent (2000) consider four earnings quality constructs: - Time-series properties of earnings - Relations among income, accruals, and cash - Selected qualitative characteristics in the FASB’s conceptual framework - Implementation decisions Time-series properties of earnings Time-series properties of earnings include persistence, predictive...
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...The BIGGER Picture (Ch. 1) Why do we need financial reporting? What is its purpose? Who are some of the key players in financial reporting? PROVIDER EXTERNAL USERS REGULATORS Your textbook (as most out there) evaluates accounting issues from a FASB perspective. We will discuss issues from the FASB’s conceptual framework, but also will try to think about others’ perspectives as well. Before we talk about the conceptual framework, we will discuss the structure of the ultimate product of the financial reporting process – the company’s annual report/10-K. What does it look like? What information is typically included? 1. Description of the company’s business and risk factors 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) 3. Comparative Financial Statements (including notes to financial statements) 4. Independent Auditor’s Report on Financial Statements 5. Management’s Report on Financial Statements and Internal Controls 6. Auditor’s report on internal controls 7. Who develops financial reporting standards in the U.S.? That is, who influences Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)? (1) Securities and Exchange Commission (2) AICPA (1938-1973) (3) FASB What constitutes GAAP? Generally accepted accounting principles have authoritative support. * Either a rule-making body has established a principle or, over time, a practice has been adopted as appropriate because of universal application. What are the sources of GAAP...
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...is used for preparing financial reports for creditors and investors. However to file income tax returns corporations must use the guidelines established by the Internal Revenue Service. The differences between GAAP and tax reporting regulations could cause tax expenses reported on the financial statements to be different from the amount of taxes payable to the IRS. Understanding the differences, first understand the difference between pretax financial income and taxable income. Pretax financial income is the amount calculated for financial reporting purposes. Taxable income is the tax accounting term used to compute income taxes payable. The difference between these two amounts is a temporary difference. The temporary difference is the difference between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the financial statements, which will result in taxable amounts or deductible amounts in the future (Kieso et al, 2007). Once the company has established the temporary difference, the amount is shown on the books as a deferred tax liability or a deferred tax asset. A taxable temporary difference is a deferred tax liability that will increase taxes payable in futures years whereas a deductible temporary difference is a deferred tax asset that will be a refundable amount in taxes payable for future years. Using deferred tax methods can be useful, an obligation can be spread over a period or a refund can be applied to an obligation in a future year. The procedure...
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...Reporting Practices and Ethics Latarshia Jackson HCS 405 February 19, 2012 Conway Brew Reporting Practices and Ethics The misrepresentation of financial reports for any organization can bring about dire consequences. A financial accounting system provides insight into the company expectations and Many organizations depend on account management that works closely with organization management performance. Having effective management of accounting information, allows an organization to be able to evaluate a company's financial position, make appropriate use of resources, and plan on how to take the company forward in the future. Maintaining a precise and reliable financial statement is very necessary for fair financial reporting. Fair and accurate reporting allows for a company to catch any mistakes, fraud and theft that may be present. This also allows for a company to protect itself from any potential bankruptcy that may be present while also saving the company’s outcome for a potential bright future. If fair and factually account reporting does not happen it can lead to a misstatement of the company’s financial statement. This Paper will discuss the General Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP) and the financial ethics associated with financial reporting. Financial management can be broken down into four basic elements which include planning, controlling, organizing and directing, and decision making. Although many individuals may stress planning, controlling, and decision...
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...Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts No. 8 September 2010 Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting Chapter 1, The Objective of General Purpose Financial Reporting, and Chapter 3, Qualitative Characteristics of Useful Financial Information a replacement of FASB Concepts Statements No. 1 and No. 2 Copyright © 2010 by Financial Accounting Foundation. All rights reserved. Content copyrighted by Financial Accounting Foundation may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Financial Accounting Foundation. Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts No. 8 September 2010 Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting Chapter 1, The Objective of General Purpose Financial Reporting, and Chapter 3, Qualitative Characteristics of Useful Financial Information a replacement of FASB Concepts Statements No. 1 and No. 2 Financial Accounting Standards Board of the Financial Accounting Foundation 401 MERRITT 7, PO BOX 5116, NORWALK, CONNECTICUT 06856-5116 Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts This Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (Concepts Statement) is one of a series of publications in the Board’s Conceptual Framework for financial accounting and reporting. Since the publication of the last Concepts Statement, the Board has undertaken a project with the International Accounting Standards...
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...Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts No. 8 September 2010 Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting Chapter 1, The Objective of General Purpose Financial Reporting, and Chapter 3, Qualitative Characteristics of Useful Financial Information a replacement of FASB Concepts Statements No. 1 and No. 2 Copyright © 2010 by Financial Accounting Foundation. All rights reserved. Content copyrighted by Financial Accounting Foundation may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Financial Accounting Foundation. Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts No. 8 September 2010 Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting Chapter 1, The Objective of General Purpose Financial Reporting, and Chapter 3, Qualitative Characteristics of Useful Financial Information a replacement of FASB Concepts Statements No. 1 and No. 2 Financial Accounting Standards Board of the Financial Accounting Foundation 401 MERRITT 7, PO BOX 5116, NORWALK, CONNECTICUT 06856-5116 Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts This Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (Concepts Statement) is one of a series of publications in the Board’s Conceptual Framework for financial accounting and reporting. Since the publication of the last Concepts Statement, the Board has undertaken a project with the International Accounting Standards...
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...determine deferred taxes, the procedure for reporting accounting changes and error corrections, and the rationale behind establishing XYZ Corporation as a subsidiary. Also included in this memo, as requested, is a discussion of the responsibilities of a CPA, and the differences between a financial review report and a financial audit report. Methodology used to Determine Deferred Taxes Deferred taxes can be one of two different types of deferred tax entries, permanent or temporary. Permanent deferred tax liabilities are income generating events that do not incur tax liabilities, and thus a permanent adjustment to the financial reports is made to adjust for the discrepancy between income for tax purposes, and income for reporting purposes. A temporary deferred tax liability is a liability where taxable income is different from reportable income, but at some future point, the taxable income will reconcile to the reportable income (Kieso, Weygandt, & Warfield, 2007). Temporary deferred tax liabilities can result in either an excessive or insufficient amount of tax withheld in the current period, which will be reconciled at a later period. An example is the depreciation of a capital asset. If the book depreciation of a capital asset is at a greater rate than the tax rate depreciation of the same asset, then a discrepancy between the financial income statement and the taxable income statement will exist. This can result in either future tax deductions or tax liabilities depending...
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...and the international level around the globe. It examines the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the International Accounting Standards Board, the differences between the two boards, and the joint conceptual framework project that is in the process of being formulated. The history of the FASB and the different responsibilities it takes on itself regarding the conceptual framework and other issues are mentioned in the research results. The IASB and many of the elements of financial statements are defined within the paper. The joint project between the FASB and IASB is researched and the process it is currently going through on its way to completion is written out in detail. The research paper covers all of these topics for the purpose of informing and educating others. The underlying principles and objectives of financial accounting and reporting that guide and direct the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in setting Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are collectively referred to as the conceptual framework. Although the conceptual framework is not regulatory by nature, it does act as the basis for the laws and rules that are set. It is in place in order to assist in the creation of consistent standards across the board. It lays out the objectives of financial accounting and reporting so that changes to GAAP will be sure to further those stated objectives. The seven Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts (SFACs) issued by the FASB comprise the conceptual...
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