Ch 2 Flashcards
Conceptual framework
Establishes the concepts that underlie financial reporting.
Why do we need a conceptual framework?
To be useful, rule making should build in and relate to an established body of concepts.
The profession should be able to more quickly solve new and emerging practical problems by referring to an existing framework of basic theory.
Framework should do what?
Increase financial statement users understanding of and confidence in financial reporting
The conceptual framework was developed by whom?
FASB
The conceptual framework would be a basis for setting what?
Accounting rules and for resolving financial reporting controversies.
NO. 1 is
Objectives of financial reporting by business enterprises
Which presents the goals and purposes of accounting.
No. 2
Qualitative characteristics of accounting information
Examines the characteristics that make accounting information useful
No. 3
Elements of financial statements of business enterprises
Provides definitions of items in financial statements such as assets liabilities revenues and expenses.
No. 5
Recognition and measurement in financial statements of business enterprises
Sets forth fundamental recognition and measurement criteria and guidance in what info should be formally incorporated into financial statements and when.
No. 6
Elements of financial statements
Replaces no. 3 and expands its scope to include not for profit organizations
No. 7
Using cash flow info and present value in accounting measurements
Provides a framework for using expected future cash flows and present values as a basis for measurement
No. 8
Chapter 1 “objectives of financial reporting by business enterprises
Chapter 3 “qualitative characteristics of useful financial information”
Replaces no. 1 and no. 2
First level of the framework is
Objective of financial reporting which is the foundation of conceptual framework
The objective of general purpose financial reporting is to provide
Info about reporting entity that is useful to present and potential equity investors, lenders and other creditors in making decisions about providing resources to entity.
General purpose financial reporting
Helps users who lack the ability to demand all the financial information they need from an entity and therefore must rely at least partly on the information provided in financial reports.
The second level of framework is
Conceptual building blocks that explain qualitative characteristics of accounting info
How does a company choose an acceptable accounting method, the amount and types of info to disclose and the format in which to present it?
By determine which alternative provides the most useful info for decision making purposes
FASB identified qualitative characteristics of account information that?
Distinguish better (more useful) information from inferior (less useful) info for decision making purposes.
Fundamental quality : faithful representation
What are the ingredients of the fundamental quality?
Completeness
Neutrality
Free from error
Faithful representation
The numbers and descriptions match what really existed or happened.
Completeness
Means that all info that is necessary for faithful representation is provided.
Any omissions can cause info to be false or misleading and not helpful to users.
Neutrality
Means that the company cannot select info to favor one set of interested parties over the other.
Free from error
A info that is free from error will be a more accurate (faithful) representation of financial item.
Faithful representation does not imply what?
Total freedom from error.
Fundamental quality: relevance
Ingredients of fundamental quality
Predictive value
Confirmatory value
Materiality
Relevance
Acct info must be capable of making a difference in a decision.
Predictive value
Financial info has predictive value if it has value as input to predictive processes used by investors to form their own expectations about future.
Confirmatory value
Relevant info also helps users confirm or correct prior expectations
Materiality
Is a company specific aspect of relevance.
When is info material?
If ommiting it or misstating it could influence decisions that users make on the basis of reported financial info.
Why does a company determine whether information is material?
Bc both the nature and or magnitude of the items to which the info relates must be considered in context of individual company’s financial report
When is info immaterial?
If it would to have no impact on a decision maker.
IRRELEVANT
IT MIST MAKE A DIFFERENCE ROR A COMPANY NEED TO NOT REPORT IT.
Why is materiality one of the most challenging aspects of accounting?
It requires evaluating both relative size and importance of each item.
When determining a item is material what must be considered?
Qualitative and quantitative factors
What are the enhancing qualities of relevance
Comparability
Verifiability