...Explaining Basic Accounting Concepts and Business Structures Matthew Philip Moshi ACC/537 September 17, 2012 Joseph P McDonald Basic Accounting Concepts and Business Structures The catastrophic collapse of the stock market in 1929, subsequently resulting in the great depression will forever coincide with the private sector’s formulation and subsequent issue of formal accounting standards (Keiso, Warfield, & Weygandt, p. 6, 2007). Appeals for heightened governmental regulation over financial institutions as well as the stock market, culminated in the formation of the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC). With its primary objective to standardize formally the presentation and preparation of accounting information in financial statements to meet the needs of stockholders, the SEC sought the establishment of an official private sector body to set as well as issue accounting standards (Keiso, Warfield, & Weygandt, p. 6, 2007). The ensuing creation and issue of private sector accounting standards corresponds with the establishment of two major accountancy bodies. The first body relates to Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). The second body relates to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In this respect, the SEC plays an oversight role pertaining to the development and improvement of accounting standards in the private sector. The following statement demonstrates this point: “……………..“it continues to believe that the initiative...
Words: 2086 - Pages: 9
...Explaining Basic Accounting Concepts and Business Structures The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles identifies the sources for the accounting standards and principles. These sources include “FASB Standards, Interpretations, and Staff Positions; APB Opinions; and AICPA Accounting Research Bulletins” (Kieso, Weygandt, & Warfield, 2007, p. 12). When companies prepare financial statements in accordance with GAAP, they sometimes run into situations in which some standards do not address a certain situation or two standards may conflict. Because of this the Statement of Accounting Standard Number (SAS) 69 established a hierarchy to follow. The hierarchy forms a kind of order for GAAP rules and procedures used in preparing financial statements. The hierarchy is made up of four categories that have a descending level of authority. For example, “Category A consists of the following principles: FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Standards, FASB Interpretations, APB Opinions, and AICPA Accounting Research Bulletins” (eNotes, 2011, para. 5). Because the categories are in descending order, category A would take precedence over the other three categories. The FASB identified certain qualities of accounting information that make it effective for making decision. For accounting information to be considered effective it should possess these four qualities: relevance, reliability, comparability, and consistency. The information should be relevant enough to...
Words: 651 - Pages: 3
...Week One Individual Explaining Basic Accounting Concepts and Business Structures Week One Individual Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Source Hierarchy The sources of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles are the FASB standards, Interpretations, and Staff Positions, APB Opinions, AICPA Accounting Research Bulletins and other authoritative pronouncements. The hierarchy is as such: Category A, B, C, and D and Category A is the highest hierarchy. The following hierarchy is used in selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of the financial statements. Category A: FASB Standards, Interpretations and Staff Positions, APB Opinions, AICPA Accounting Research Bulletins. Category B: FASB Technical Bulletins (no longer issued), AICPA Industry Audit and Accounting Guides, AICPA Statements of Position. Category C: FASB Emerging Issues Task Force, AICPA AcSEC Practice Bulletins. Category D: AICPA Accounting Interpretations, FASB Implementation Guides (Q and A), widely recognized and prevalent industry practices. Other authoritative literature is used when accounting transaction occur and are not covered in the documents of the hierarchy. Effective Accounting Information Effective accounting information is vital to the growth and continuance of business. Relevance, reliability, comparability, and consistency are necessary to make accounting information useful for decision-making purposes. Relevance and reliability are the primary...
Words: 786 - Pages: 4
...Explaining Basic Accounting Concepts and Business Structures Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are guidelines for accounting that have either been specifically established by one of the governing bodies tasked with establishing and overseeing accounting practices or are “accepted” as a practice by having been time proven and having “universal” application (Kieso, Weygandt, and Warfield (2007). There are four main organizations that are “instrumental in the development of financial standards (GAAP) in the United States.” (Kieso, Weygandt, and Warfield (2007). These are the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and the Government Accounting Standards Board. (GASB) (Kieso, Weygandt, and Warfield (2007) The SEC is the sole body for enforcement, with the AICPA and the FASB having been created at the urging of the SEC for a private sector entity to use its resources to establish effective guidelines. The SEC continues to support the formation and improvement of accounting guidelines by the private sector as long as they are “subject to commission oversight” (Kieso, Weygandt, and Warfield (2007). The FASB uses “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,” and they are listed as follows: FASB Standards, Interpretations, Staff Positions, APB (Accounting Principles Board), and AICPA Accounting Research Bulletins...
Words: 501 - Pages: 3
...Economics Paper Deborah Robinson University of Phoenix ECO365 Brad Bennett March 2, 2009 Introduction The following paper will define economics, microeconomics, and the law of supply and demand. The paper will identify the factors leading to a change in supply and a change in demand, and will also analyze the basis for the trends in consumption patterns discussed in the article “As US Shoppers Retreat, Can World Thrive?” The author of the paper will analyze the article by considering the utility derived from the products mentioned in the mentioned article, and will describe what has occurred to change the demand for, or the supply of, the good or service. The paper will then conclude with the market prices of the products or services. Define Economics Economics is the research and study of income, production, land, investments, taxes, government spending and labor. Economics is a study of how people choose to earn and spend their resources. The choice needs to be made individually by people and countries about what goods and services they can purchase and which ones they need to delay. Resources are scarce and are pushing people and countries to make choices. Economics is studied from two perspectives. The first being governments of nations seek to maximize the production of countries. This perspective is referred to as macroeconomics. The second perspective is of individuals and firms; this perspective is known as microeconomics. Define Microeconomics ...
Words: 1267 - Pages: 6
...Explaining Basic Accounting Concepts and Business Structures ACT/537 January 9, 2012 Explaining Basic Accounting Concepts and Business Structures A solid understanding of basic accounting is arguably one of the most essential skills future businesses leaders require for success. The business world operates to make a profit, and in order to do so, managers must understand the numbers. Managers from marketing, production, management, or information systems should each understand fundamentals of accounting and business structures to be more effective in their respective departments (Kimmel, Weygandt, & Kieso, 2007). In an effort to help facilitate this understanding the following paper will attempt to identify and describe sources of generally accepted accounting principles, (GAAP) with a highlight on why hierarchy is important, describe effective accounting information using the qualities of accounting information, describe how an accrual based accounting system is different from a cash basis of accounting, and describe types of business structures and the defining features of each structure. Sources of GAAP An essential accounting concept business managers should understand is the hierarchy of the GAAP. GAAP are common accounting procedures that organizations use to prepare their financial statements. The standards outlined by the GAAP are the basis for accounting in the United States (Pounder, 2011). It is essential managers understand the GAAP hierarchy...
Words: 947 - Pages: 4
...Explaining Basic Accounting Concepts and Business Structures ACC/537 Dec, 5, 2011 Explaining Basic Accounting Concepts and Business Structures The purpose of the paper is to explain basic accounting concepts and business structures. This paper covers four topics, which include the following: 1. Identify and describe the sources of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). 2. Describe effective accounting information using the qualities of accounting information. 3. Describe how an accrual-based accounting system is different from a cash-based of accounting 4. Describe the types of business structures and the defining features of each structure. The Sources of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles There are four categories in the house of GAAP, Category A through D. They are also in the order of the hierarchy. There are three major sources of GAAP in Category A. They are Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Standards, Interpretations, and Staff Positions; Accounting Principles (APB) Opinions; and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Accounting Research Bulletins. They are most authoritative pronouncements. Category B includes FASB Technical Bulletins which is no longer issued, AICPA Industry Audit and Accounting Guides and AICPA Statements of Position. Category C has FASB Emerging Issues Task Force and AICPA AcSEC Practice Bulletins. Category D has the least authoritative pronouncements: AICPA Accounting interpretations...
Words: 708 - Pages: 3
...Explaining Basic Accounting Concepts and Business Structures ACT/537 March 12, 2012 Del Roberts Explaining Basic Accounting Concepts and Business Structures The three most authoritative sources of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) include FASB Standards, Interpretations, and Staff Positions; APB Opinions; and AICAP Accounting Research Bulletins (ARP) (Kieso, Weygandt, & Warfield, Chapter 1, Pg. 12, 2007). The FASB Standards, Interpretation, and Staff Positions issued are automatically GAAP. The APB Opinions and ARB standards were issued prior to 1973. These standards are considered binding by the FASB until they are either modified or replaced by new standards issued by the FASB. Source Hierarchy Source hierarchy is a standard created by the FASB to allow users alternative resources in regard to their specific needs for accounting methods. The hierarchy categorizes sources from most authoritative to least authoritative. The hierarchy sources are formed by other professional organizations that use due process similar to the FASB. The remaining hierarchy sources in order of authority include the FASB Technical Bulletins, AICPA Industry Audit and Accounting Guidelines, AICPA Statement of Position, FASB Emerging Issue Task Force, AICPA AcSEC Practice Bulletins, AICPA Accounting Interpretations, FASB Implementation Guides, and widely recognized and prevalent industry practices. The GAAP hierarchy is important because not all accounting transactions...
Words: 748 - Pages: 3
...Explaining Basic Accounting Concepts and Business University of Phoenix Introduction Accounting has become an indispensible part of today’s economy. It is being used to keep a track of company’s profit or loss, assets, liabilities and owner’s equity. Financial accounting, on the other hand, is to prepare financial reports to external parties such as: investors, creditors, and governmental agencies. However, prior to reporting any information to external users, financial accounting must be completed according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles guidelines. Identify the hierarchy of sources for generally accepted accounting principles. Generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP for short, are the accounting rules used to prepare and standardize the reporting of financial statements, such as balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements, for publicly traded companies and many private companies in the United States (Paul, 2008). The main sources of GAAP are the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). The SEC is a structure for setting accounting standards. The ACIPA created the Accounting Principle Board and serves as an organization to provide CPA services the best professional resources, guidance, and information....
Words: 736 - Pages: 3
...Chapter 15: Understanding Accounting and Financial Statements Introduction The purpose of this chapter is to identify some of the concepts of Understanding Accounting and Financial Statements in the business world. Learning objectives 1. Explain the functions of accounting, and identify the three basic activities involving accounting. 2. Describe he roles played by public, management, government, and not-for-profit accountants. 3. Identify the foundations of the accounting system, including GAAP and the role of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). 4. Outline the steps in the accounting cycle, and define double-entry bookkeeping and the accounting equation. 5. Explain the functions and major components of the four principal financial statements: the balance sheet, the income statement, the statement of owner’s equity, and the statement of cash flows. 6. Discuss how financial ratios are used to analyze a company’s financial strengths and weaknesses. 7. Describe the role of budges in a business. 8. Outline accounting issues facing global business and the move towards one set of worldwide accounting rules. 1. Explain the functions of accounting, and identify the three basic activities involving accounting. Accounting measure, interpret, and communicate financial information to parties inside and outside the firm to support improved decision making. Accountants gather, record, and interpret financial information to management....
Words: 1062 - Pages: 5
...Explaining Basic Concepts and Business Structures Kristin Elam ACC/537 March 24th, 2014 Rebecca Kime Topic 1: Identify and describe the sources of GAAP. Identify source hierarchy and why it is important. “Although principles and practices continue to provoke both debate and criticism, most members of the financial community recognize them as the standards that over time have proven to be most useful.” (Keiso, et all, 2007, (2007). Financial Accounting, Ch. 1). Defining standards for financial reporting is critical to creating a financial playing field that enables us to to evaluate and make sound business decisions as individuals, companies, a nation, and global economy. The major sources of influence that define the guidelines of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretations, and their Staff Positions; Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinions, and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' (AICPA). The guidelines followed in the financial industry begin with the most authoritative source, defined as the “GAAP hierarchy”. At the top are FAS statements and AICPA opinions, FASB staff questions and answers and AICPA interpretations. If decisions and information can’t be ascertained by these sources, common practices, opinions, and other publications would fall on the bottom resources of the hierarchy. (Keiso, et all, 2007) Topic 2: Describe effective...
Words: 701 - Pages: 3
...Explaining Basic Accounting Concepts and Business Structures Financial Accounting ACCT 537 Accountants use financial information to communicate how a business is performing. They present this information in financial reports. These reports are created following a common set of standards call General accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These standards and principles are established by the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB), the American Institute of certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Accounting Principle Board (APB). The SEC Is federal agency established to “help develop and standardize financial information presented to the stockholders” (Kieso 2007 pg. 6). It is responsible to enforce financial principles created. The FASB, the AICPA and the APB are institution formed by the private sector; the SEC believed that standards and principles should be created by the private sectors because it “has the appropriate resources and talent to achieve this daunting task” (Kieso 2007 pg. 6). The FASB is also working on establishing standards, “This standard identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements” (Kieso 2007 pg. 12). It is important that the hierarchy establish by the FASB is use because it gives accountants the ability to deal with any situations that have not been define by the standards and principles and it will also help identify issues that are widely...
Words: 912 - Pages: 4
...Accounting Theory Learning Objectives Definition of theory and accounting theory The needs, purposes & benefits of AT Inductive & deductive approach to construct theory Descriptive, decision usefulness & welfare approaches to the construction of AT Structure of AT Relationship between AT & AP 1 Accounting Theory Defined as: A set of broad principles that provides a general frame of reference by which accounting practice can be evaluated and guides development of new practices and procedures. (Hendrickson, 1982) or A cohesive set of conceptual, hypothetical and pragmatic propositions explaining and guiding the accountant’s action in identifying, measuring and communicating economic information. 2 Nature and Purpose of Theory Theory can be defined as a set of general propositions, used as principles of explanation of the apparent relationship among certain observed phenomena, events or things. Proposition – statements concerned with the relationship among concepts. Concepts – generalized idea or expression in words about events observed in the real world. Theory is used as basis of explanation with regard to how/why certain phenomena happens the way they do. Explanation as well as prediction offers by theory is important as it enhance our understanding of the phenomena that exist in reality Generally theory is sometimes said to deal with the creation of scheme of ideas which provide definition of the problem observed and the understanding of it. 3 Needs and Importance of...
Words: 1564 - Pages: 7
...FORMULATION OF ACCOUNTING THEORY: PURPOSE AND APPROACHES A TERM PAPER (2) ON ADVANCED ACCOUNTING THEORY (ACC 821) PRESENTED BY EKERIA, Victor IKYUME, Chiahemba James OGBOLE, Philip Osemudiamen SUBMITTED TO PROFESSOR A.E. OKOYE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMEN SUDIES IGBINEDION UNIVERSITY, OKADA MARCH, 2015 Abstract As tasks of accounting became more difficult and focus shifted to users’ needs, a theory became necessary. Existence of a need for information for decision making (decision usefulness) in face of information asymmetry led to development of means, tools and techniques for satisfying decision making needs (formulation of accounting theories) This paper briefly discusses the purpose/importance for accounting theory and various approaches to the formulation of an accounting theory under two headings, namely: (1) traditional approaches, and (2) new approaches. The paper finally highlights the critiques of the accounting theory approaches Table of Content 1.0.0. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………… 1 2.0.0. Meaning of Accounting Theory………………………………………………………… 2 2.1.0. Needs and Purpose for Accounting Theory…………………………………………….. 3 3.0.0. Early Attempts at Accounting Theory……………………………………………………...3 4.0.0. Approaches to the for Formulation of Accounting Theory……………………………….5 4.1.0. 4.1.0. The Traditional Approaches………………………………………………………..5 4.1.1. Non – Theoretical, Practical, or Pragmatic (Informal) Approaches……...
Words: 4446 - Pages: 18
............................. 2 1.1 Luca Pacioli: Father Of Modern Accounting ...................................................................................... 2 1.2 19th Century – The Beginnings of Modern Accounting in Europe and America ............................... 3 1.3 20th Century – The Development of Modern Accounting Standards................................................. 4 1.4 21st Century – Accounting Regulation in Modern Commerce ........................................................... 4 2. DEVELOPMENT OF ACCOUNTING .................................................................................. 4 3. EVOLUTION OF ACCOUNTING ......................................................................................... 5 4. THE CONSEQUENCE OF DOUBLE ENTRY ..................................................................... 6 5. RECENT GROWTHS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN ACCOUNTING ............................... 7 6. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE ............................................................................................... 8 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................. 9 1. INTRODUCTION The main objective of this study is to critically review the Origin, Growth and Development of accounting theories and their impacts on financial reporting. Other objectives are to explore accounting theory in resolving areas of diversities among users of financial...
Words: 4587 - Pages: 19
