What is the Consistency Principle?

Consistency Principle states that all accounting treatments should be followed consistently throughout the current and future period unless required by law to change or the change gives a better presentation in accounts. This principle prevents manipulation in accounts and makes financial statements comparable across historical periods.

Explanation

According to this, all accounting policies or accounting assumptions to be followed consistently so that financial statements can be easily comparable. If an entity changes the accounting policies or assumptions then it should be by the reason that law demands the change or change gives better preparation and presentation in accounts and if there is change due to any other reasons that reason to be stated clearly and also an effect of change and nature of the change to be disclosed in the financial statements so that it attracts the attention of users and users can understand the change in profit due to change in accounting estimate or assumptions.

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Example of Consistency Principle

If the business entity follows the straight-line method of depreciation and after some time law changes, which states that every entity is required to follow the written down value method of depreciation retrospectively. Now, an entity has to provide depreciation as per written down value method retrospectively and accordingly charge the depreciation and effect on profit due to change in method of depreciation to be disclosed and fact that method of depreciation has been changed due to change in law also to be disclosed in the financial statement so that users can understand easily.
Another Example is Business entity has been following the LIFO method for valuation of inventory and law demands the weighted Average method or FIFO method to be used for valuing the inventory. So, an entity has to change the method of valuation of inventory retrospectively and value inventory accordingly and change in valuation and effect of change due to change in method of inventory change on profit to be disclosed appropriately. Disclosure gives better preparation and presentation and also catches the attention of users on change in profit due to change in the method of inventory valuation.
Another Practical example is as INDAS and IFRS are introduced and applicable to companies and regular Accounting standards override the INDAS and IFRS then Financial Statements has to disclose the change in profit due to change in law and also disclose the fact that change is due to change in the law.

Uses and Importance of Consistency Principle

It is used in all types of industry whether manufacturing, trading, or service industry. All entities need to follow accounting policies and principles on a consistent basis. As consistency is one of the fundamental accounting assumptions unless the change in accounting policies disclosed it is assumed that all accounting policies which followed last year are followed in the current year also. Consistency makes the financial statements comparable and it also gives ease in preparation of accounts.
It is important in every industry as it makes sure that accounting policies and assumptions to be followed on a continuous basis if accounting policies or assumptions change every year then it confuses the accountants also and users of financial statements also get diverted due to heavy fluctuations in profits.
This principle is important from both accounting and auditing point of view as the following consistency gives accountants ease in recording business transactions and for auditors, it helps in the comparison of financial statements with last year.
For shareholders and stakeholders also consistency principle is important as it gives them the satisfaction that financial statements are more accurate and reliable. The correctness of decision is highly depending on the accuracy of financial information and proper presentation of financial statements.

Advantages

Ease in Audit and Accounts: It helps accountants in recording the accounting transactions and deals with the accounts and it helps the auditors in comparing the financial statements and provides the basis for reliability on financial statements.
Ease for Management: When accounting principles and estimates applied consistently, management becomes familiar with the accounting procedures, technologies, treatments, and its effects and helps in proper decision making.
Reduce the Cost of Training: If accounting principles are followed consistently then only initial training to be provided to the accounting staff and this reduces the training cost.
Makes the Financial Statements Comparable: By following the principle of consistency the financial statements make the comparison and it helps the auditors and users of financial statements to make the comparison of financial statements.

Disadvantages

Restrict to Follow the same Accounting Policies and Assumptions: This restricts the management to follow the same principles and assumptions over the years and due to change in technology situations demand the change in accounting but this principle restricts the same.
Judgment Errors: As Principle of consistency based on a judgment of whether change gives a better presentation in accounts hence judgmental errors and problems arise.
Changes Permitted: Only when the new method is considered better and gives a better presentation in accounts. The reason for the change and its effect on profit to be disclosed in the financial statements creates lots of calculations and pressure on accounting staff.

Conclusion

This is a very important principle and almost followed by all organizations whether Governmental organizations or private organizations, profit-making or nonprofit making organizations. According to this principle, all accounting policies are to be followed consistently so that financial statements make the comparison.
It gives ease to both auditors and accountants and due to consistency auditors find the financial statements more reliable and for accountants gives helps in accounting procedures and making accounting records. The reason for the change and effect of the change is to be disclosed in the financial statements.
Most probably change is to be calculated from retrospective effect hence it becomes difficult for accountants to calculate the effect of change retrospectively as it involves the maximum calculations. Whether to change accounting policies and estimates due to better presentation and preparation is the matter of judgments hence conflict arises.

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Consistency Principle