Concept of Accounting Standards
Concept of Accounting Standards
Concept of Accounting Standards
We know that Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) aims at bringing uniformity
and comparability in the financial statements. It can be seen that at many places, GAAP permits
a variety of alternative accounting treatments for the same item. For example, different methods
for valuation of stock give different results in financial statements.
Such practices sometimes can misguide intended users in taking decision relating to their field.
Keeping in view the problems faced by many users of accounting, a need for the development of
common accounting standards was aroused.
For this purpose, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), which is also a member
of International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC), had constituted Accounting Standard
Board (ASB) in the year 1977. ASB identified the areas in which uniformity in accounting was
required. After detailed research and discussions, it prepared and submitted a draft to the ICAI.
After proper examination, ICAI finalized them and notified for its use in financial statements.
Accounting standards are the written statements consisting of rules and guidelines, issued by the
accounting institutions, for the preparation of uniform and consistent financial statements and
also for other disclosures affecting the different users of accounting information.
Accounting standards lay down the terms and conditions of accounting policies and practices by
way of codes, guidelines and adjustments for making the interpretation of the items appearing in
the financial statements easy and even their treatment in the books of account.
On 21st April 1977, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, as a premier accounting
body in our country, set up the “Accounting Standard Board” (ASB) to harmonies the diverse
accounting policies and practice prevalent in our country. The primary duty of ASB is to
formulate the accounting standards for India. These standards may be established by the Council
of the Institute in India. During formulation of accounting standards, the ASB considered the
applicable laws, usages, customs and the business environment existing in our country. For this
purpose ASB took the valued views and guidelines of various industrial houses, the Government,
and other interested parties. The body consists of the following members: Company Law Board,
CBDT, Central Board of Excise and Customs, Controller General of Accounts, SEBI,
Comptroller & Auditor General of India, UGC, Educational and Professional Institutions,
Council of the Institute and representatives of Industry, Banks.