Overview of Differences Between GAAP and IFRS
Noelle Diehl
"If you were to look back from the year 2020 to the year 2001 you would say 'what chaos!' and 'what inefficient capital markets!' People will look back and say, 'how did those people get along then?' It will be like now we say, 'How did people get along without cell phones?' When you are in the middle of it, it is always difficult. It is important just to keep on towards that end goal."-Robert Herz, Chairman of FASB
A change in how the world does its black Zdeno Chara jersey financial reporting of accounting is underway. Countries have developed their own different standards of accounting. Some of the black Zdeno Chara jersey variations are; rules-based, principles-based, tax-oriented and business-oriented. With the heightening of globalization, the countries of the world need to "speak the same language". There needs to be a common denominator for financial reporting, and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is just that.
One major difference between U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is their differing foundations. GAAP is rule-based whereas IFRS is principles-based. Basically, a principles-based accounting system is more flexible and allows room for interpretation. By setting principles and letting the decisions follow, the system is not weighed down by rules, rules, rules. A more flexible accounting approach certainly allows the use of more professional judgment, which can be a good thing when some "gray" matters arise or perhaps an unprecedented event occurs. However, different interpretations of the same transaction would be very harmful! This could even be a privilege that might be abused. Surely new ways to commit financial statement fraud can and will be found.
Other than the major differences between the two standards, there are many technical differences. Just a few are mentioned in the paragraphs that follow.
Currently, under GAAP, certain? assets such as, property, plant and equipment are valued at their cost, permanently, unless there is impairment,