These are the bases, rules, and conventions adopted in preparing and presenting financial statements. They are also specific accounting bases, rules, and procedures selected and consistently followed by a business enterprise as being in the opinion of the management, appropriate to its circumstances.
Characteristics of a Good Financial Report
(i) Fairness: The fairness principle requires that accounting report should be prepared in such a way that it will not favour any group in societyThe term society is derived from the Latin word 'socius' meaning friendship or companionship. Society is a community, nation or group of people who share the same traditions, institutions, rules and... More.
(ii) Understandable: This principle states that financial information must convey information that has meaning to the users.
(iii) Completeness: All material transactions of the organization should be recorded so that users can have a full picture of its position.
(iv) Relevance: The information presented by the financial report must serve and satisfy the needs of all the users.
(v) Timely: The financial statements should present on up to date information and not outdated news. It must show regularity.
(vi) Reliable: The Information presented in the report can be relied on as the accurate description of the transaction of the enterprise and show a true and fair view.
(vii) Objectivity: This principle ensures that the information presented must be free from bias and must not be subjective. There must be an independent judgment on the part of the accountant.
Evaluation Questions
1. List five (5) Accounting Concepts
2. Explain four (4) Accounting Concepts
3. Explain the following concepts and convention:
(a) Money measurement
(b) Business entity
(c) Going concern
(d) Realization
(e) Materiality (WASSCE JUNE, 2005)
View Answer
Responses