The governing body $\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_$ is responsible for developing the US governing principles known as $\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.$

A$.)$

GASB; AICPA

B$.)$

IRS; IFRS

C$.)$

SEC; GAO

D$.)$

FASB; GAAP

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Evan McLaughlin

Evan McLaughlin

Sophia

Sophia

Governance

Sophia

Sophia

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what's covered

This lesson will cover governing principles in accounting, as well as the range of governing bodies involved in regulating accounting practices. Specifically, this lesson will cover:

$1.$ Governing Principles

$2.$ Governing Bodies

$3.$ Federal Agencies

$1.$ Governing Principles

Let's begin by discussing governing principles in accounting, specifically GAAP and IFRS, exploring what they are and the differences between them.

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles $($GAAP$)$ International Financial Reporting Standards $($IFRS$)$

Who it applies to Represents the accounting standards for U$.$S$.$ companies. Publicly traded U$.$S$.$ companies are required to use U$.$S$.$ GAAP; many privately held companies, although not required to use it$,$ still do$.$ Represents the accounting standards for all international companies. This means that if you are doing business in any countries outside of the U$.$S$.,$ you would use IFRS.

Objectives Help financial statements achieve three things:

$*$Relevance$.$ Is the information relevant to the message we are trying to send through our financial statements?

$*$Reliability$.$ Can we rely on the information?

$*$Comparability$.$ Can we compare the financial statements of two different entities? Standardize the accounting procedures across all nations.

Now, the U$.$S$.$ has tried to get somewhat involved, although, as mentioned, U$.$S$.$ GAAP exists in the United States and all publicly traded U$.$S$.$ companies must use it$.$ However, any non$-$publicly traded companies$--$meaning non$-$SEC registrants$--$can use either U$.$S$.$ GAAP or IFRS for non$-$U$.$S$.$ SEC registrants.

$2.$ Governing Bodies

Next, we will discuss some of the governing bodies that play a role in this principle setting process. There are quite a few, and they help to create and modify accounting principles, provide guidance, and even enforce rules and regulations. The first group to cover includes the AICPA, the GASB, and the FASB:

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants $($AICPA$)$ Governmental Accounting Standards Board $($GASB$)$ Financial Accounting Standards Board $($FASB$)$

Established in $1887$

It is the main professional association for CPAs and develops additional guides that assist them when they are implementing U$.$S$.$ GAAP. Established in $1984$

This board is in place to develop standards of financial reporting for state as well as local governments. Established in $1973$

Likely the most important governing body in this group. They have a critical role relating in developing U$.$S$.$ GAAP. The FASB develops new standards and controls the implementation of previous standards, as well as new standards that are coming out.

$3.$ Federal Agencies

There are also several federal agencies that are involved in the principle setting process.

Securities and Exchange Commission $($SEC$)$ Government Accountability Office $($GAO$)$ Internal Revenus Service $($IRS$)$

Established in $1934$

Rule enforcer: develop rules and enforce securities law. Established in $1921$

Government watchdog: work for Congress and play a very important role in investigating program spending related to the use of public funds. Established in $1862$

Tax Man: deal with collecting taxes and enforcing the IRS code.

summary

Today we learned about the governing principles in accounting. The first, U$.$S$.$ GAAP, is used by U$.$S$.$ companies and helps to create three things: relevance, reliability, and comparability. GAAP is used by US companies. The second, IFRS, is used by non$-$U$.$S$.$ companies.

We also learned about the governing bodies involved in regulating accounting practices. The FASB, or Financial Accounting Standards Board, develops and controls U$.$S$.$ GAAP$--$a very important role. So definitions, we had these six groups. The AICPA, or American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, is the professional association for CPAs. The GASB, or Governmental Accounting Standards Board, develops standards for government.

Lastly, we learned about the federal agencies involves in this process. The SEC, or Securities and Exchange Commission, develops rules and enforces securities law. The GAO, or Government Accountability Office, investigates the use of public funds. The IRS, or Internal Revenue Service, collects taxes and enforces internal revenue code.

Source: Adapted from Sophia instructor Evan McLaughlin.

Attributions

Securities and Exchange Commission $|$ Author: Wikipeda $|$ License: Public Domain

Government Accountability Office $|$ Author: Wikipeda $|$ License: Public Domain

Internal Revenue Service $|$ Author: Wikipeda $|$ License: Public Domain

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