General approach to the IFRS and US GAAP convergence

Abstract

Two most significant organizations in the field of financial reporting regulation setters in the world - the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (LASB) have recognized that in order international capital markets to function properly, a single set of high-quality international accounting standards designed especially for listed companies around the world must exist. The effort should be especially aimed at spreading the IFRS around the world and the FASB - IASB Convergence. The most significant difference between the US GAAP and IFRSs is in the area of the general approach. The IFRSs are based on basic accounting principles with limited application guidance, US GAAPs are based especially on rules with specific application guidance. The main objective of this work is to assist in the development of an improved common conceptual framework that provides a sound foundation for developing future accounting standards. The structure of the paper is divided into three parts. The theoretical background presents the historical development of the IAS/IFRS and US GAAP convergence efforts in general. The second part of the paper is aimed at the comparative analysis of conceptual frameworks (the IAS/IFRS and US GAAP). At the end, based on the results of the comparative analysis, the basic principles for a common conceptual framework, which should be applicable, are clarified. The paper uses the standard methods of scientific work. Firstly, the method of description is used to describe the development in the area of IAS/IFRS and US GAAP convergence. Then, a comparative analysis is used to discuss the differences in the position a principles of conceptual frameworks the IAS/IFRS and US GAAP. At the end the method of synthesis, deduction and induction is used.