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Understand The Difference Between Principle-based Versus Rule-based Accounting Standards

November 10th, 2006 /

Difference Between Principle-based Versus Rule-based

Principle-based:

Accounting standards may take the form of general principles, relying on interpretation and judgment by the financial statement preparers before they can be implemented.

Whereas:

Rule-based:

Alternatively, standards may take the form of a series of rules, limiting the flexibility and use of judgment allowed in their implementation.

A Comparison of the Principle-based versus Rule-based:

Principal-based:

Advantages :

  • potentially very flexible with regard to new and changing products and environments. As such, they should also require less maintenance.

Disadvantages:

  • more difficult to audit relative to compliance, and concern over consistent and reliable interpretations across entities.
  • To the extent that they rely on individual judgment to interpret and implement the standards, there is a danger that they can be used to manipulate financial results.

Rule-based:

Advantages:

  • Rule-based standards are generally considered easier to audit for compliance purposes, and may produce more consistent and comparable financial reports across entities.

Disadvantages:

  • may include a lack of flexibility with regard to changing conditions and new products, hence requiring almost continual maintenance at times.

  • frequently easier to “game”, as entities may search for loopholes that meet the literal wording of the standard but violate the intent of the standard.

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  1. Content Page On Basic Accounting Concepts and Regulatory Framework | Basic College Accounting.com

    [...] Understand the difference between Principle Based And Rule Based Accounting Standards [...]

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