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SC Ch01 - Edited
SC Ch01 - Edited
RICHARD G. SCHROEDER
MYRTLE W. CLARK
JACK M. CATHEY
CHAPTER 1
THE DEVELOPMENT OF
ACCOUNTING THEORY
Introduction
What is theory?
Webster defines theory as:
“Systematically organized knowledge, applicable in a relatively wide
variety of circumstances, a system of assumptions, accepted principles
and rules of procedure to analyze, predict or otherwise explain the
nature of behavior of a specified set of phenomena.”
Theories may be described as:
Normative theory – explain what sould be
Positive theory – explain what is
Why is the development of a general theory of
accounting important?
The role accounting in economic society to allocate scare
resources
The goal of accounting theory:
To provide a set of principles and relationship that explains
observed practice and predict unobserved practices
Accounting Theory should be verifiable through accounting
research.
THE EARLY HISTORY OF ACCOUNTING
Denise Schmandt-Besserat
Origins of writing are actually found in counting.
Pieces of fired clay in Middle Eastern archeological sites.
Tokens comprised an elaborate system of accounting that was used
throughout the Middle East from approximately 8000 to 3000 B. C.
Each token stood for a specific item (a sheep or a jar of oil)
Used to take inventory and keep accounts
Types of pronouncements
D
GAAP Hierarchy
LEVEL A:
FASB Statements
FASB Interpretations
SEC Rules and Interpretive Releases
Accounting Principles Board Opinions (unless amended)
Account Research Bulletins (unless amended)
LEVEL B:
FASB Technical Bulletins
AICPA Industry Audit Guides that have been reviewed by the FASB
GAAP Hierarchy
LEVEL C:
AcSEC Practice Bulletins that have been reviewed by the FASB
Consensuses reached by the EITF
LEVEL D:
AICPA Accounting Interpretations (no longer issued)
FASB Implementation Guides
Other widely recognized or prevalent accounting practices
The FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification
June 2009
FASB announced Codification
would be single source of all
nongovernmental US GAAP
effective 9/15/09.
Involved following steps:
1. Restructure all U.S. GAAP literature by
topic into a single authoritative
codification.
2. Modify the standard-setting process to
focus on updating the codification.
The FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification
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