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CHAPTER
2
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING
This IFRS Supplement provides expanded discussions of accounting guidance under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for the topics in Intermediate Accounting. The discussions are organized according to the chapters in Intermediate Accounting (13th or 14th Editions) and therefore can be used to supplement the U.S. GAAP requirements as presented in the textbook. Assignment material is provided for each supplement chapter, which can be used to assess and reinforce student understanding of IFRS.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
A conceptual framework establishes the concepts that underlie financial reporting. A conceptual framework is a coherent system of concepts that flow from an objective. The objective identifies the purpose of financial reporting. The other concepts provide guidance on (1) identifying the boundaries of financial reporting; (2) selecting the transactions, other events, and circumstances to be represented; (3) how they should be recognized and measured; and (4) how they should be summarized and reported.1
Need for a Conceptual Framework
Why do we need a conceptual framework? First, to be useful, rule-making should build on and relate to an established body of concepts. A soundly developed conceptual framework thus enables the IASB to issue more useful and consistent pronouncements over time, and a coherent set of standards should result. Indeed, without the guidance provided by a soundly developed framework, standard-setting ends up being based on individual concepts developed by each member of the standard-setting body. The following observation by a former standard-setter highlights the problem.
“As our professional careers unfold, each of us develops a technical conceptual framework. Some individual frameworks are sharply defined and firmly held; others are vague and weakly held; still others are vague