GAAP in Accounting (Definition, Meaning)

What is GAAP?

GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) is defined as the collection of commonly used and followed accounting rules and procedures for the purpose of Financial reporting of a company. GAAP describes us about the accounting concepts and the principles to be followed while preparing a financial statement of a company or a Firm.

GAAP standards change from place to place. For example, in the United States, they follow the Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC) which mandates the financial reports stick to GAAP requirements.
Many countries in the world follow International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). IFRS is followed in more than 110 countries. IFRS specifies to prepare and disclose the financial statement of the companies globally.
Indian Accounting Standard (Referred to as Ind-AS) is the accounting standard adopted by the Indian companies under the supervision of Accounting Standards Board (ASB ).

Why GAAP?

To make transparent and fair of the Accounting and the financial reporting of the company and
easily understandable to the common people.
The GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) is necessary for the accounting rules and the standardizing the reporting of financial
statements like balance sheets, income statement and the cash flow statement for all the
companies.
The financial statements prepared under GAAP are intended to show the economic reality.

What Happens if GAAP is Not Available?

Without GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles), there will be many chances of the fraudulent cases in Accounting and financial reporting’s which actually affects the interest of the Investors and the creditors in the market.
Without GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), companies would be free to decide themselves what financial information to report and how to report it, which will be very difficult for the investors and creditors who have stake or shares in that company.
For example, if we see the Punjab National Bank scam happened due to fraudulent financial reporting by the employees, auditors and the customer without practicing any of the accounting rules and standards, because of which the ultimate losers are the Investors who invested in that company.

Advantages of the GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)

It promotes the interest of the Investors, Shareholders, and Creditors in the market.
By following GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) procedures, consistency can be maintained and the overall performance can
be determined.
Identifying the areas that need improvement and required modifications for the better
performance of the company.
The financial reports which are made using the GAAP help to maintain investors trust and interest in investments of that company.
Complying with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) gives the guarantee to anyone whoever wants to invest in that company.
With the help of GAAP report, one can easily understand the financial statements and can also compare easily with another.
By GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) reports it is easy to find out the profit, loss, expenses, investment, income and revenues of the company.
GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) reduces risks and avoids fraud cases by monitoring them properly.

The Basic Principles of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)

Following are the top 10 basic principles of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).

#1 – The Business as a single Entity Principle

A business is a separate entity in terms of the law, all its activities are treated separately from that of its owners. In terms of accounting the business is separate and the owners are different.

#2 – The Specific Currency Principle

A currency is specified for the reporting of financial statements. In India we deal with Indian Rupee, hence it should be treated as INR for the currency specific. The in United States they economically deal with the US dollar and their financial reporting’s will be mentioned in USD.

#3 – Time period Specific Principle

Financial statements should always pertain to a specific period of time. The statements have an end time and start time. Balance sheets are also reported on a certain date. This can be like monthly, quarterly, half yearly, and annually.

#4 – The Cost Principle

In accounting, the term Cost refers to the amount spent on obtaining the goods or services in which the purchase happened now or in the past. Hence for this, the amounts shown in the financial statements also referred to as the Historical cost amounts.

#5 – The full disclosure Principle

The full disclosure principle states that a company should disclose all the financial statements fully. It is very important for an investor or the lender to know about the significant account policies. A company generally lists its accounting policies as the first note to its financial statements.

#6 – The Recognition Principle

This revenue recognition principle states that the companies should reveal the income and expenses of the company in that time period where they have occurred.

#7 – The Non-death Principle of Business

This is also called as Principe of continuity as for accounting there should not be an end as its continuing to operate, until and unless any winding up of the company.

#8 – Matching Principle

This Matching Principle requires companies to use the accrual basis of accounting. The matching principle requires that expenses should be matched with the revenues.

#9 – The Principle of materiality

This Principle generally states about the adjustment of the very minute errors, that is while maintaining accounting reports there could be some small errors like $5 error which is not matching, here this can be used and adjusted accordingly.

#10 – The Principle of Conservative Accounting

Conservative Accounting Principle should be adopted by all companies wherein when expenses occur that are to be recorded immediately but the income to be recorded only when actual cash flow is there. In addition to all these, the Principle of Honesty to be maintained.

GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)