What Is Accounting Theory?

Accounting theory is a set of assumptions, frameworks, and methodologies used in the study and application of financial reporting principles. The study of accounting theory involves a review of both the historical foundations of accounting practices, as well as the way in which accounting practices are changed and added to the regulatory framework that governs 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:financial statements and financial reporting.

Understanding Accounting Theory

All theories of accounting are bound by the conceptual framework of accounting. This framework is provided by the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网🐲:Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), an independent entity that works to outline and establish the key objectives of financial reporting by businesses, both public and private. Further, accounting theory can be thought of as the logical reasoning that helps evaluate and guide accounting practices. Accounti♔ng theory, as regulatory standards evolve, also helps develop new accounting practices and procedures.

The most important aspect of accounting theory is usefulness. In the corporate finance world, thi𒁃s means that all financial ꦍstatements should provide important information that can be used by financial statement readers to make informed business decisions. This also means that accounting theory is intentionally flexible so that it can produce effective financial information, even when the legal environment changes.

In addition to usefulness, accounting theory states that all accounting information should be relevant, reliable, comparable, and consistent. What this essentially means is that all financial statements need to be accurate and adhere to U.S. 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:generally accepted acco♏unting principles (GAAP). Adherence to GAAP allows ꦛthe preparation of financial 🃏statements to be both consistent to a company's past financials and comparable to the financials of other companies.

Finally, accounting theory requires that all accounting and financial professionals op🀅erate under four assumptions. The first assumption states that a business is a separate entity from its owners or creditors. The second affirms the belief that a company will continue to exist and not go bankrupt. The third assumes that all financial statements are prepared with dollar amounts and not with other numbers like units of production. Finally, all financial statements must be prepared on a monthly or annual basis.

Special Considerations

Accounting as a discipline has existed since the 15th century. Since then, both businesses and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:economies have greatly evolved. Accounting theory is a 🧔continuously evolving subject, and it must adapt to new ways of doing business, new technological standards, and gaps that are discovered in reporting mechanisms.

For example, organizations such as the International Accounting Standards Board help create and revise practical applications of accounting theory through modifications to their 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Intern𓃲atio𝄹nal Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Professionals such as 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) help companies navigate new an🍎d established accounting🗹 standards.