Implications for GAAP from an analysis of positive research in accounting

S.P. Kothari, Karthik Ramanna and Douglas J. Skinner

Journal of Accounting and Economics, 2010, vol. 50, issue 2-3, 246-286

Abstract: Based on extant literature, we review the positive theory of GAAP. The theory predicts that GAAP's principal focus is on control (performance measurement and stewardship) and that verifiability and conservatism are critical features of a GAAP shaped by market forces. We recognize the advantage of using fair values in circumstances where these are based on observable prices in liquid secondary markets, but caution against expanding fair values to financial reporting more generally. We conclude that rather than converging U.S. GAAP with IFRS, competition between the FASB and the IASB would allow GAAP to better respond to market forces.

Keywords: GAAP; Fair; value; FASB; IASB (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (145)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jaecon:v:50:y:2010:i:2-3:p:246-286

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