This article relates to the outcome of the FA2 syllabus ‘Explain generally accepted accounting principles and concepts’ and has been written to complement the FA2 article titled ‘A matter of principle’ (see 'Related links'). The focus for this article is on qualitative accounting characteristics rather than principles of accounting. Show What are the qualitative characteristics?The Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (the Conceptual Framework) identifies two fundamental qualitative characteristics and four enhancing qualitative characteristics relating to useful financial information: Fundamental qualitative characteristics
Enhancing qualitative characteristics
Financial reports include financial information and, when preparing these reports, consideration should be given to the type of information that is likely to be most useful to existing and potential investors, lenders and other creditors for making decisions about the reporting entity. If financial information is to be useful then it must be relevant and must also faithfully represent what is being reported. The usefulness of this information is enhanced if it is comparable, verifiable, timely and understandable. Each of these qualitative characteristics will be considered below. Fundamental qualitative characteristicsRelevance
Predictive value means that the information can be used to predict future outcomes. The financial information itself does not need to be a prediction or a forecast, but can be interpreted by users to allow them to make their own predictions. For example, current year revenue information could be used as the basis to predict revenue in future years. Confirmatory value means that the information provides feedback on previous evaluations (ie it allows users to confirm or change their opinion on such evaluations). For example, the same current year revenue information indicated above could be compared with revenue predictions which had been made in prior years to correct or improve processes that were used to make those previous predictions. As you can see, the predictive value and confirmatory value of financial information are interrelated. Determining whether financial information is relevant involves considering materiality. More information on materiality can be found in the article ‘A matter of principle’. Faithful representation An entity’s financial report represents such economic phenomena in words and numbers. As well as being relevant, the substance of these phenomena must be faithfully represented. The Conceptual Framework identifies that to be a perfectly faithful representation, a depiction of any economic phenomena would need to be:
Although such perfection is rarely (if ever) achievable, faithful representation requires that the above qualities should be maximised to the extent possible. For information to be complete it must include all information necessary for a user to understand it. Neutrality means that there is no bias in the selection or presentation of financial information. Being ‘free from error’ does not mean that the information needs to be perfectly accurate. Rather, that there are no errors or omissions in the depiction of any phenomena and that the processes used to produce the reported information have been selected and applied with no errors in the process. For example, in some circumstances an estimate could be used in determining financial information. Although it may not be 100% accurate, such an estimate might still be faithfully represented as long as the amount is described clearly and accurately as being an estimate, the limitations of the estimating process are explained, and no errors were made in selecting and applying an appropriate process used for developing the estimate. Enhancing qualitative characteristicsComparability Verifiability Timeliness Understandability SummaryCandidates must have knowledge of the fundamental and enhancing qualitative characteristics. Further, by ensuring that the key points of each of these qualitative characteristics are understood, candidates should be better prepared to answer questions that might arise in the exam. Written by a member of the FA2 examining team When information is complete neutral and free from error?faithful representation is complete, neutral, and free from error. comparability tells users of the information that businesses utilize similar accounting practices. verifiability means that others are able to confirm that the information faithfully represents the economic activities of the business.
What requires accounting information to be complete neutral and free from material error?Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is a. Faithful representation concept. Faithful representation concept states that the account balances in the financial statements are true, correct, and free from material error and fraud.
When information represented is complete neutral and free from material error this is an example of?Faithful representation – this means that financial information must be complete, neutral and free from error.
What is free from error in accounting?Free from error: means there are no errors and inaccuracies in the description of the phenomenon and no errors made in the process by which the financial information was produced. (no inaccuracies and omissions).
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