U.S. GAAP Codification of Accounting Standards Guide by AccountingINFO.com

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
in the United States

Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts (SFAC)

Principles of Accounting, U.S. GAAP Financial Reporting Guide

Accounting by Topic, Accounting Terms Dictionary

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3	Superseded by SFAC No. 6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

U.S. GAAP Codification

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

Overview of Financial Statements