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Convergence (accounting)
The convergence of accounting standards refers to the goal of establishing a single set of accounting standards that will be used internationally.FASB, 2012International Convergence of Accounting Standards—Overview Retrieved on April 27, 2012. Convergence in some form has been taking place for several decades, and efforts today include projects that aim to reduce the differences between accounting standards. Convergence is driven by several factors, including the belief that having a single set of accounting requirements would increase the comparability of different entities' accounting numbers, which will contribute to the flow of international investment and benefit a variety of stakeholders. Criticisms of convergence include its cost and pace, and the idea that the link between convergence and comparability may not be strong. Overview The international convergence of accounting standards refers to the goal of establishing a single set of high-quality accounting standards to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Accounting Standard
Publicly traded companies typically are subject to rigorous standards. Small and midsized businesses often follow more simplified standards, plus any specific disclosures required by their specific lenders and shareholders. Some firms operate on the cash method of accounting which can often be simple and straight forward. Larger firms most often operate on an accrual basis. Accrual basis is one of the fundamental accounting assumptions and if it is followed by the company while preparing the Financial statements then no further disclosure is required. Accounting standards prescribe in considerable detail what accruals must be made, how the financial statements are to be presented, and what additional disclosures are required. Some important elements that accounting standards cover include: identifying the exact entity which is reporting, discussing any "going concern" questions, specifying monetary units, and reporting time frames. Limitations The notable limitations of accounting ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |