Masters Degrees (School of Accountancy)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (School of Accountancy) by Subject "Accounting -- Standards"

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    Die noodsaaklikheid van 'n rekeningkundige verslagdoeningsraamwerk vir klein en medium grootte entiteite
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-12) Pienaar, Mario Morne; Wesson, N.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences . School of Accounting.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: THE NECESSITY OF A FINANCIAL REPORTING FRAMEWORK FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTITIES Financial statements are prepared annually for all types of businesses and for a wide variety of users that require specific information in order to make certain decisions. The majority of users of the financial statements of larger companies, especially listed public companies, use the information in fmancial statements to make investment decisions, since they are unable to obtain fmancial information in any other way. However, the users of the financial statements of small and medium-sized entities have a legal and/or inferential right to request further financial information to enable them to make certain decisions. Thus, users of fmancial statements are classified according to their right to obtain fmancial information. To protect the right of the users of larger entities, it is necessary to compile fmancial statements in accordance with a financial reporting framework that includes certain requirements regarding the measurement and recognition of transactions, as well as the minimum information that needs to be disclosed to these users. This fmancial reporting framework has been adapted over the years to protect investors. Small and medium-sized entities are legally compelled to comply with the same reporting framework at a high cost, even if such users had no need for all the information. To assist small entities (that are of great value to the economy) in saving these costs whilst still setting a standard, different international models were implemented that have encouraged South Africa to follow the same path. To make a success of the South African model, two criteria should be met. Firstly, the qualification requirements for an entity should be based on qualitative criteria, such as the right of users to obtain further information, before such entities can comply with the accounting standards set for small and medium-sized entities. Secondly, simpler and more understandable financial statements should be the result of the application of these new financial standards. This is only possible if the measurement and recognition criteria as well as the disclosure requirements of the current accounting standards are adjusted to meet the needs of smaller entities. These adjustments, as well as the implementation of new accounting standards are discussed in this study, after which the writer reaches the conclusion that a financial reporting framework for small and medium-sized entities is necessary for the upcoming South African economy.