A conceptual framework of accounting can be considered to be a normative theory of accounting. A conceptual framework makes prescriptions in regards to what the objectives of accounting are, what qualitative characteristics general-purpose financial information should possess, how the elements of accounting should be defined and when they should be recognised and how the elements of accounting should be measured. The view often promoted by various advocates of conceptual framework projects is that it is difficult and perhaps illogical to develop systems of financial accounting if we do not initially agree on important issues such as what general purpose financial reporting is, what the objective of a general purpose financial reporting system is and in relation to this, what the qualitative characteristics of the information generated from that system should be.
Further, to make the system consistent we need to agree on how we define, recognise and measure the elements of that system. The view taken is that there are a number of building blocks involved in developing a logical system of accounting and that a conceptual framework develops such building blocks in a logical order. For example, we initially need some consensus on the definition of general purpose financial reporting and of a reporting entity, before we can consider the objective of financial reporting. Once we have considered the objective of financial reporting we can then consider defining the qualitative characteristics of financial reporting, as well as how to define the elements of financial reporting and so forth.
The Term Paper on International Financial Reporting Standards 2
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are designed as a common global language for business affairs so that company accounts are understandable and comparable across international boundaries. They are a consequence of growing international shareholding and trade and are particularly important for companies that have dealings in several countries. They are progressively replacing the ...
Without some consensus on issues such as those mentioned above, it is likely that the development of rules of accounting (assuming that we need rules) will be undertaken in a rather piecemeal manner with limited consistency between the various rules (which raises another issue: do we need consistency?).
This inconsistency appeared to be the case in many countries prior to the development of conceptual frameworks. There was a great deal of inconsistency between the various standards in terms of definitions (often implied) of the elements of accounting, as well as inconsistencies in determining when the elements should be recognised and how they should be measured. With a conceptual framework, the accounting standards are expected to be more consistent.
Across time, the accounting profession attracted a great deal of criticism for the lack of agreement on key issues—so from a ‘legitimacy’ perspective, the profession probably needed a conceptual framework.
The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand had all put considerable efforts into developing a conceptual framework but much of this work is now being overtaken by the revised conceptual framework project being undertaken jointly by the United States’ Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
As Australia has agreed to adopt the accounting standards issued by the IASB it also had to adopt the IASB conceptual framework in to maintain consistency.
Some of the advantages that have been advanced in relation to conceptual frameworks of accounting include:
Accounting standards developed by applying the contents of a conceptual framework should be consistent and logical. Because many countries have developed conceptual frameworks that are similar (or they have adopted the IASC framework) there should be greater international compatibility between various countries’ accounting rules, and this should lead to greater consistency and comparability between international financial reports (which some people have argued is important for flows of foreign investment capital).
The Research paper on Internationaliztionaoof Accounting Standards for Consolidtionao Japan: A Case Study
The Usefulness Of Financial Statements The primary means of communicating the financial effects of organizational activities and transactions of a company to outsiders is the financial reporting system. This reporting system includes communicating financial information through annual financial statements, as well as through reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, voluntary ...
Because conceptual frameworks provide the fundamentals of an accounting system, standard-setters should be more accountable for their decisions.
If they deviate from key issues addressed in a conceptual framework this should be clear and some explanation would be necessary. Conceptual frameworks provide a means of communicating key concepts to financial report preparers and users, as well as providing guidance to reporting entities when no specific standards address a particular issue. Because issues such as the objective of financial reporting, recognition criteria (and so on) have been determined when developing a conceptual framework, then accounting standard-setters will be subject to less political pressure when developing new standards. Because standard-setters will have consensus on many key issues, the development of accounting standards should be more economical. There will be no need to go back to the ‘drawing board’ on many fundamental issues.
Some of the disadvantages that have been associated with conceptual frameworks of accounting include:
Conceptual frameworks are costly to develop. The development of conceptual frameworks is subject to political interference—some people (for example, Hines) argue that conceptual frameworks are no more than residue of a political process. Tied to the above point, when conceptual frameworks have attempted to consider issues in which there is much underlying disagreement (for example, measurement issues), they have tended to lose progress. Following on from the above point, conceptual frameworks have tended not to tackle difficult issues.
Conceptual frameworks focus on economic (financial) performance alone. As such, they tend to ignore other aspects of performance (for example, the social and environmental performance of a reporting entity).
The Term Paper on Regulatory And Conceptual Framework
... accounting standards.’ (Gupta. A, p.146, 2008) The conceptual framework is issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and is therefore closely linked with the Accounting Standards. Following the conceptual framework ... about the financial position, financial performance, and cash flows of an ... evaluate their relative financial position, performance and changes in financial position.’ ...
Further, by focusing on financial performance alone and by giving it prominence, conceptual frameworks tend to deflect attention away from other important areas of corporate performance. They represent a codification of existing practice and do not provide ideal methods of accounting. They only act to provide a means of legitimising a profession under threat.
Whether we accept or reject the above advantages or disadvantages of conceptual frameworks will really be based on our own personal opinions and beliefs.
