Acct Theory- Mod 1 Flashcards
What is the main concept of Module 1
Accounting under ideal conditions
What was the first company with limited liability shares that were transferable and traded?
Dutch East India Company
Why do we use the term “Generally Accepted” in GAAP?
Because not everyone will agree 100% but in general everyone can get behind them
What is the difference between relevant and reliable?
Relevant means that it is more likely to sway a decision. Reliable means that it is more accurate
What is representational faithfullness?
Verifiable
Neutral
Faithfully Represented
What is the CBCA act?
Canadian Business Corporations Act
Describe in general terms what happened during the 1990’s high tech collapse
Financial reporting irregularities
Premature recognition of revenue
Describe in general terms what happened to Enron
They used SPE’s to hide debt off balance sheet
Enron didn’t control SPE’s but their senior management did
Describe in general terms what happened to Worldcom
Overstated earnings by capitalizing maintenance costs that should have been expensed when incurred
What is the SOX act and what did it do?
Sarbanes-Oxley act
Tightened the functions of auditors and what non-audit services that they can perform
Off balance sheet items must be disclosed
SPE’s must be consolidated
What is the CPAB in Canada?
Canadian Public Audit Board
Describe in general terms what happened during the 2008 financial meltdown
ABS’s were used to package normal mortgages with risky mortgages to hide the risk. These ABS’s were then insured. Once people started to default, they couldn’t figure out a value for the ABS’s and the losses were so large that the insurance companies couldn’t pay out
What is an ABS
Asset Backed Security
What is an Expected Loss Note?
Essentially the insurance taken out on the ABS’s
What is value in use and when is it used?
It is the NPV of cash flows of the item. It is used when there isn’t an available market to determine value
What type of accounting measurement system does Canada currently use? Describe it.
Mixed Measurement System
Primarily historical cost but impairment tests are generally done at current value.
So it is basically some historical cost and some fair value
Is historical cost reliable or relevant?
Reliable
Is Fair Value reliable or relevant?
Relevant