International business has been and continues to be a rapidly growing dimension with communication and transportation advances enabling companies to service a world market. This brings about a new perspective when conducting business in a foreign country, with the need to consider different laws, economic policies, political climates, cultural dynamics, and social factors. Obligatory for its success, a company wishing to expand globally must look at these differences when formulating its international business plan. Additionally, on the heels of such scandals such as those involving Enron, WorldCom, and Satyam Computer Services, investors desire a single international accounting standard; however, hold differing opinions as to what that single standard should be. In the United States, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) outlines for accountants the acceptable practices regarding the preparation of financial statements. GAAP, developed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and known for being more "rules-based," specifies the presentation of financial data on the balance statement, income statement, and statement of cash flows. While certain circumstances allow for deviation from GAAP, those deviations must be disclosed. Internationally, accounting standards are under the eye of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and referred to as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which is known for being "principles-based"
IFRS is the internationally accepted accounting principle. Thus, international investors appreciate to invest in companies report under IFRS. As forecasted, Gabias Industries will have an increased sale in Africa, Europe and Pacific areas, where IFRS are the main accounting standard (AICPA, 2013). Similar to American domestic investors, international investors have more confidence on financial reports that are familiar to them. Therefore, reporting financial statement under IFRS will attract international investors to invest in Gabias Industries.
This research project will inform the reader of the difference between the United States accounting standards and International accounting standards. The United States uses the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) to issue financial reporting procedures. The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). There are proposals for the United States to adopt the International standards. Financial reporting procedures are debated about the United States using the Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP) or following the global procedures. This
Although the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) have a lot of similar guidelines and expectations, they also differ in many ways. The IFRS employs more of a “principles based” accounting standards whereas GAAP utilizes more of a “rules based” approach. Even though there are differences between terminology, revenue recognition, gains and/or losses, and statement presentation, both standards do follow the same conceptual guidelines. With the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) of 2002, the standards expected of foreign countries are significantly less than those that reside as publically
The world possesses two main accounting systems: United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) and International Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (iGAAP). As the acronym simply states, US GAAP are the guiding principles for the United States and iGAAP are principles used by other countries internationally. Across both systems are similarities in language, procedures and reporting but some of the differences are so major that it keeps a consistent debate on which system is more appropriate for accounting purposes.
A set of internationally recognized accounting standards facilitates capital flows across borders. Globally accepted standards make financial information readily comparable for its users. Foreign investors are more inclined to put money into a U.S. company if they are familiar with the company’s financial reporting. Conversely, U.S. investors will find it easier and less risky to invest in foreign companies when they know the local accounting standards (Epstein 2009). This will make U.S. companies and capital markets more competitive, since it saves costly reconcilition of different standards. Preparers, investors, auditors, and others will benefit from these cost effieciencies, since a Results of an IFAC Survey among accounting leaders around the world with respect to the importance of convergence to International Financial Reporting Standards for economic growth in their countries:
There are two sets of accounting standards that are used worldwide. One is the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). There is a huge desire for there to one set of accounting standards worldwide with the increase of companies performing business in many different countries and global expansion.
The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) with the objective of developing globally accepted standards establishes the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). On the other hand, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) establishes the General Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) with the mission to improve the standards. In 2015, Hoyle, Schaefer, and Doupnik concluded, there are three key differences between the two, including recognition differences, measurement differences, and presentation and disclosure differences. Whether or not to recognize an item, how an item is recognized, or when it is recognized are the main differences regarding the recognition differences. For instance, research and development
The United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) have both similarities and differences that must be explored. In 2002 the similarities became more concrete and the differences were mitigated with the Norwalk Agreement, which was a memorandum of understanding between the United States and the International Accounting Standards Board (Financial, 2002). The agreement stated that the two sides were both looking for compatible accounting standards that could be used in both cross-border and domestic reporting (Financial, 2002). By making the US standards and other accounting standards compatible with one another, there is a higher chance of helping investors determine which companies would be the best choice for them. It is also easier for mergers and acquisitions, as well as other financial transactions between companies, if the accounting requirements are very similar between the US and other countries, since fewer discrepancies are seen (AICPA, 2008; American, 2009).
There have been proposals that have been working on with regard to the replacement of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) as used in the accounting and financial reporting aspects. Such convergence requires that the functions of the GAAP standards be added to the IFRS. The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) developed the IFRS which is a less-detailed financial reporting system.
The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the Financial Standards Accounting Board (FASB) in the United States are working towards convergence between US GAAP and the IFRS, which are the two major accounting standards in the world. Most of the other nations in the world with their own accounting standards are also working towards convergence. The process has been ongoing for several years, and the organizations involved issue updates periodically in order to ensure that both the accounting profession and the general public are aware of the state of the convergence process.
On the other hand, the International Financial Reporting Standards are the principles-based standards and explanations that have been implied by the International Accounting Standards Board or the IASB as a guideline for global financial reporting. The
The Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), an independent, not-for-profit organization, established in 1973 and most U.S companies use GAAP. The FASB’s standards are recognized as authoritative by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and by the State Boards of Accountancy.
For those in the business world, particularly in the accounting field, a major issue has surfaced in recent years relating to the differences between Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Currently, the majority of countries in the world follow International Financial Reporting Standards guidelines; however, the United States still uses GAAP. This topic has been a main focus because there is a plan for convergence between the two frameworks in the near future. The United States accounting system will undergo drastic changes when this occurs, but
Accounting as a profession has its standards that must be followed. The standards are used across the world to enhance uniformity in the reporting framework of financial statements. This is due to the growth in the international trade and cross-boundary trade. Some of these standards include the international financial reporting standards (IFRS), the UD Generally Accepted Accounting Standards (GAAP).
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) oversee the standards for both the US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and the IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards). With the proliferation of global business and ever growing markets, an attempt has been made within the last ten years to align both standards the two standards. The US GAAP has always given the guidelines and steps for American companies to follow when preparing their financial statements. Whereas the IFRS has always been more of standardized language to use in accounting practices internationally. The following is a brief analysis of changes, differences and outcomes from this transition.