Normative theory positive theory
Positive Accounting
Positive economic theory and accounting practices are objective and based on fact. Positive accounting focuses on analyzing the economic statistics and data at hand, and deriving conclusions based on those figures. For example, if corporate growth allows a company to increase shareholder dividends over previous dividend payments, positive accounting theory would conclude that corporate growth causes a rise in stockholder dividends. Most bookkeeping and data collection involved with accounting relates to positive economic theory.
Normative Accounting
Normative economic theory is subjective and aims to describe what the economic future should be for a company or investor. As a result, normative accounting practice is a form of value judgment that can introduce subjective morality into accounting. For example, if a company that increased dividend payments could use some of those funds to improve corporate sustainability measures, a normative accounting statement would indicate how much money should be invested in those measures to sustain corporate growth. Normative accounting also deals with future events rather than past data, which is the domain of positive accounting practices.
When to Use
Positive accounting practices are best used to explain past financial events, as well as the causes of a business's or individual's current financial standing. Determining why a company is operating at a net loss requires the positive accounting practices of comparing actual revenue to actual expenses over the course of a year. These accounting practices are typically used to construct financial documents, such as balance sheets or cash flow statements. Normative accounting practices are best used when trying to set future economic policy based on theory. A company's mission statement or the market strategies included in business plans can be viewed as normative statements -- they reflect the business ideals that a company wants to accomplish.
Working
Positive economic theory and accounting practices are objective and based on fact. Positive accounting focuses on analyzing the economic statistics and data at hand, and deriving conclusions based on those figures. For example, if corporate growth allows a company to increase shareholder dividends over previous dividend payments, positive accounting theory would conclude that corporate growth causes a rise in stockholder dividends. Most bookkeeping and data collection involved with accounting relates to positive economic theory.
Normative Accounting
Normative economic theory is subjective and aims to describe what the economic future should be for a company or investor. As a result, normative accounting practice is a form of value judgment that can introduce subjective morality into accounting. For example, if a company that increased dividend payments could use some of those funds to improve corporate sustainability measures, a normative accounting statement would indicate how much money should be invested in those measures to sustain corporate growth. Normative accounting also deals with future events rather than past data, which is the domain of positive accounting practices.
When to Use
Positive accounting practices are best used to explain past financial events, as well as the causes of a business's or individual's current financial standing. Determining why a company is operating at a net loss requires the positive accounting practices of comparing actual revenue to actual expenses over the course of a year. These accounting practices are typically used to construct financial documents, such as balance sheets or cash flow statements. Normative accounting practices are best used when trying to set future economic policy based on theory. A company's mission statement or the market strategies included in business plans can be viewed as normative statements -- they reflect the business ideals that a company wants to accomplish.
Working