Inconsistencies in U.S. GAAP: Accounting for Executory Contracts

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy B. Forsyth ◽  
Michael T. Dugan

This instructional case provides four different scenarios that illustrate the inconsistent treatment of various executory contracts under current generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The purpose of the case is threefold. First, it provides students an opportunity to use the Financial Accounting Research System (FARS) to resolve several accounting issues related to long-term executory contracts. Familiarity with FARS is essential, both for “real-world” use when students enter the accounting profession and for success on the computerized CPA exam, which includes case research. Second, as the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) attempts to move toward principles-based standards (as opposed to rules-based standards), the case provides students an opportunity to observe that GAAP seems to be rules-based and theoretically inconsistent in the case of executory contracts. Third, the case can be used as a premise for discussing the standard-setting process and exploring differences between the economic substance of a transaction and its legal form.

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas K. Schneider ◽  
Gordon S. May ◽  
David R. Shaffer

The purpose of this study was to apply social-psychological research methods to address an issue of widespread concern in the accounting profession. One of the primary motives underlying the creation of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) was to increase the credibility of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Our main objective was to assess any differences in the perceived credibility of FASB GAAP and pre-FASB GAAP, as indicated by three groups of FASB constituents familiar with these procedures: corporate preparers of financial statements (preparers), CPAs who audit financial reports to ensure their adherence to GAAP (auditors), and accountants who use financial reports to make lending and investment decisions (users). The results indicated that (a) the credibility of accounting principles can be assessed, (b) not all dimensions that have been touted as contributors to the credibility of accounting practices predict accountants perceptions of credibility, and (c) examples of FASB GAAP were perceived as less credible than corresponding examples of pre-FASB GAAP by each of the above three groups of FASB constituents. Some implications of these results and suggestions for future research are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Teixeira

Purpose The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) have given relief to lessees in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, it is not clear why any relief from the requirements in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) should be necessary. The purpose of this paper is to highlight weaknesses in how the IASB and FASB developed their leases Standards, and why those Standards are not robust enough to cope with a shock to the economic system. Design/methodology/approach The COVID-19 relief suspends some features of the leasing requirements rather than changing them. What if other economic or regulatory events cause the same circumstances to arise? Findings Have COVID-19 exposed weaknesses in the leasing standards that should have been avoided when they were developed or is COVID-19 the problem? Originality/value Analysis of actual board discussions and staff papers is unusual and provides insights into the standard-setting process.


1994 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. McEnroe

The system by which auditing standards are promulgated has resided in the private sector since 1939. The members of the Auditing Standards Boards (ASB), unlike the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), retain formal affiliations with their parent organizations during their tenure on the ASB. As a result, this process has been criticized by the late Senator Metcalf and others. One of Metcalf s allegations was that large accounting firms dominate the audit standard-setting process through their employees that serve on the ASB. Accordingly, this study examines certain voting behavior of the ASB in an effort to determine if the board members are acting as agents of their parent organizations or, rather, as independent rule makers. The results do support the proposition that in casting certain votes, the board members are acting in an agency capacity.


Author(s):  
Allen W. McConnell ◽  
Bill D. Cox ◽  
John E. Elsea

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141 Business Combinations in June 2001.  SFAS 141 supersedes Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 16 Business Combinations and SFAS No. 38 Accounting for Preacquisition Contingencies of Purchased Enterprises.  APB Opinion 16 created two acceptable methods of accounting for a business combination, the purchase and the pooling of interests methods.  These two different methods often resulted in very different financial results for economically similar transactions.


2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20
Author(s):  
Clemense Ehoff Jr. ◽  
Dov Fischer

In 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) formally began a process to converge Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). By the end of 2011, the SEC will likely decide on whether to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards as the financial reporting system for U.S. public companies, continue with the convergence project, or reject IFRS altogether. This paper examines the benefits and drawbacks of each option and formulates a recommendation as to which option is in the best interest of U.S. investors.


1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank R. Rayburn ◽  
Ollie S. Powers

This paper traces the development of pooling of interests accounting for business combinations from 1945 to 1991. The history of the pooling concept is reviewed chronologically with particular emphasis on the events of 1969–1970 that were related to the most recent pronouncement on the subject, Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 16. Early in its life (1974), the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) placed a project on its agenda to reconsider pooling of interests accounting. That project was removed from the FASB's agenda in 1981. APB Opinion No. 16 has gone essentially unchanged as it relates to the accounting for a business combination as a pooling of interests. Resolution of implementation issues has been left largely to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the accounting profession. The FASB has a project on its agenda on Consolidations and Related Matters that may impact pooling of interests accounting. There also is some pressure for the FASB to revisit accounting for business combinations.


Author(s):  
Stephen A. Zeff

This is a historical account of the various approaches which the Financial Accounting Standards Board has used since 1973 in making use of academic research and in bringing academics into the standard-setting process.


2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 461-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahendra R. Gujarathi

ABSTRACT Super Electronics, Inc., a specialty retailer, has recently initiated several sales incentives and has entered into a long-term purchase arrangement with a major vendor that entitles it to sliding discounts based on its level of purchases. Using FASB Accounting Standards Codification, you are to determine whether the Company's existing policies comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). You are also required to evaluate the soundness of the proposals that SE's management has made during the process of annual audit and explore plausible motivations behind them. The case provides an opportunity to examine several technical and conceptual accounting issues in a real-world setting, strengthen accounting research capabilities, understand implications of the choice of an accounting policy for performance measurement and financial statement analysis, and develop advanced critical thinking and professional judgment skills.


Author(s):  
Marco Angelo Marinoni ◽  
Andrea Cilloni

The globalizations of markets and increased international cooperation in the harmonized accounting systems have highlighted the difficulties inherent in the development of generally accepted accounting principles. The Financial Accounting Standards Board, FASB, and the International Accounting Standards Board, IASB, are therefore working - through shared projects – in conducting a “Conceptual Framework Project”, which will lead to increased knowledge and understanding of the principles of international accounting convergence.The process of international harmonization has defined the concept of “Comprehensive Income”, i.e. a new structure of the Income Statement, in which they reside clearly even charges and unrealized gains (as final assets adjustments, monetary exchange variations and so on). The Balance Sheet and the Financial Statements in general, continue to maintain an approach prone to theory of property valuation, given the shareholder, as the main carrier of social interest.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Zulkifli Zulkifli ◽  
Boy Syamsul Bakhri ◽  
Rahmawati Rahmawati

Accounting standards is fundamental in the preparation of financial statements that must be referred to each company. Accounting standards that form these statement codified in a book called financial accounting standards (GAAP). The book contains a collection of statement of financial accounting standards (SFAS). This study aims to determine the extent of the financial statement presetations of BMT Al-Ittihad in applying generally accepted accounting principles in particular SFAS No.101. This research is a comparative descriptive research that describes, explains and compares the financial statements of BMT with SFAS 101. The research subject is a sharia cooperative  BMT Al-Ittihad  Pekanbaru while the object is to report RAT BMT Al-Ittihad Pekanbaru. Data were collected by interview and documentations. The analisis is comparative descriptive analysis, which compares the data that has been collected by the relevant theories to draw a conclusion. Based on the results, itshow that the financial statements of BMT Al-Ittihad has not fully adopted SFAS No.101, because: 1) it does not present a statement of sources and uses of zakah, 2) it does not present a statement of sources and uses of charity fund, 3) it does not present a note to the financial statements, 4) it does not present informations of preparations of financial statements and the accounting polices used, and it does not to disclose information required under SFAS No.101.


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