U.S. GAAP

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
in the United States

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Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts (SFAC)

U.S. GAAP by Topic

Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)

Other Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts (SFAC)

SFAC No.	Title	Issue Date
1	Objectives of Financial Reporting by Business Enterprises	November 1978
2	Qualitative Characteristics of Accounting Information	May 1980
3	Superseded by SFAC No. 6
4	Objectives of Financial Reporting by Nonbusiness Organizations	December 1980
5	Recognition and Measurement in Financial Statements of Business Enterprises	December 1984
6	Elements of Financial Statements	December 1985
7	Using Cash Flow Information and Present Value in Accounting Measurements	February 2000

SFAC No. 6

Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (SFAC) No. 6
        a. Elements of Financial Statements
        b. Issued in December 1985
        c. SFAC No. 6 replaces SFAC No. 3.

SFAC No. 6 includes the concepts of

Assets
             --> probable future economic benefits
                   obtained or controlled by an entity
                   as a result of past transactions or events.

Liabilities
             --> probable future sacrifices of economic benefits
                   arise from present obligations of an entity
                   to transfer assets or provide services in the future
                   as a result of past transactions or events.

Equity (Net Assets)
             --> the residual interest in
                   the assets of an entity after deducting its liabilities.
             --> Equity (Net Assets) = Assets - Liabilities

Investments by Owners

Distributions to Owners

Comprehensive Income

Revenues
             --> inflows of assets (or settlements of its liabilities)
                   from activities that constitute
                   the entity's ongoing major or central operations.

Expenses
             --> outflows of assets (or incurrences of liabilities)
                   from activities that constitute
                   the entity's ongoing major or central operations.

Gains

Losses

Transaction

Event

Accrual Accounting

Accruals
             --> Revenues and gains are recognized first and cash is received later.
             --> Expenses and losses are recognized first and cash is paid later.

Examples of Accruals
             --> sale (or purchase) of goods on account
             --> interest, rent, wages, salaries, tax expenses not yet paid
                        (Expenses are recognized first and cash is paid later. )
             --> interest and rent income not yet received
                        (Revenues are recognized first and cash is received later.)

Deferrals
             --> Cash is received first and revenues and gains are recognized later.
             --> Cash is paid first and expenses and losses are recognized later.

Examples of Deferrals
             --> prepaid insurance
                        (Cash is paid first, expense is recognized later.)
             --> unearned subscriptions
                        (Cash is received first, revenue is recognized later.)

Realization
--> the process of converting noncash resources to cash.

Recognition
--> the process of formally recording an item in the financial statements.

Matching Principle
             --> Revenues and related expenses require recognition at the same time.
             --> Expenses are recognized in the period
                   in which related revenues are recognized.

Allocation
             --> Expenses resulting from the use of assets that
                   provide benefits over several periods
             --> Examples: Depreciation and amortization

Other Accounting Topics

Inventory Valuation Methods

Depreciation Methods

Revenue Recognition Principle

Accrual Basis vs. Cash Basis Accounting

Basics of Journal Entries

Ratios for Financial Statement Analysis

U.S. GAAP by Topic

Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)

	Wiley GAAP 2008: Interpretation and Application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles 2008 Paperback Edition CD-Rom Edition Book & CD-Rom Edition
	Wiley CPA Exam Review 2007-2008: 2 Volume Set 2 Volume Set Volume 1: Outlines and Study Guides Volume 2: Problems and Solutions
	Wiley CPA Exam Review 2007: 4 Volume Set 4 Volume Set Financial Accounting and Reporting Business Environment and Concepts Regulation Auditing and Attestation