Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Defined as the set of accepted industry rules, practices and guidelines for financial accounting Includes the standards, conventions, and rules accountants follow in recording and summarizing transactions, and in the preparation of financial statements
AICPA FASB SEC GASB
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) Sets ethical standards for the CPA profession Sets U.S. auditing and GAAP standards Develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination
Financial Accounting Standards Board Establishes and improves standards of financial accounting by non- governmental entities (GAAP)
Securities and Exchange Commission ◦ Has authority to establish reporting and disclosure requirements Holds the primary responsibility for: ◦ Enforcing federal securities laws ◦ Regulating the securities industry ◦ Regulating the stock market and ◦ Preventing corporate abuse of investors
Enforcement authority granted by Congress to: Bring civil enforcement actions against individuals and companies who: ◦ Commit accounting fraud ◦ Provide false information ◦ Engage in insider trading ◦ Violate securities laws Bring criminal enforcement actions to prosecute individuals and companies for criminal offenses
notes stock treasury stock security future bond debenture certificate of interest participation in any profit-sharing agreement
Governmental Accounting Standards Board To establish and improve standards of state and local governmental accounting and financial reporting (GAAP)