Accounting II

THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES

The development of accounting concepts and principles is closely related to the economic growth of the United States, as businesses grew in size, and outsiders increased their demand for financial information. Accounting principles focus on the users of accounting information. Principles have developed over a long period of time, and are continuously subject to revision as information needs change. It is the responsibility of accounting professionals, teachers and accounting organizations to keep accounting principles up-to-date, relevant and useful.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD

The FASB was set up with the purpose of developing accounting principles in 1973. Today it is the most influential accounting organization. The FASB is involved in solving reporting problems and developing solutions. When Statements of Financial Accounting Standards are released by the FASB, they quickly become gerenally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) pertaining to standards, assumptions, conventions or concepts. When it is difficult to understand accounting principles, interpretations are released which have the same authority as the standards.

INFLUENTIAL ACCOUNTING ORGANIZATIONS

The FASB is the most influential accounting organization, but many other organizations exist that affect accounting practices. The Securities and Exchange Commission is the most influential government agency that regulates financial statement reporting. The IRS is involved in regulations related to income tax. IRS regulations often conflict with accounting principles, and as a result many businesses maintain two sets of records. Other organizations affecting accounting principles have less importance, and tend to specialize in a certain area of accounting.