Consistency Concept

Consistency does allow a company to make a change to a more preferred accounting method. However, the change and its effects must be clearly disclosed for the benefit of the readers of the financial statements. Consistency refers to using same Accounting Principle or method for recording transactions while conservatism refers to use of lower value in reporting that could lead to overstatement of assets, revenue, and income. In other words, consistency applies when there are multiple methods for valuing an asset but conservatism implies use the lowest value in the reports.

According to this, an entity must continue to use the same accounting policies from one period to another and so on. This ensures consistency of accounting policies and makes it easy for the users of the financial statements to compare results over the periods. Entities are required to practice consistency in applying depreciation methods from period to period. If entity has selected straight line method of depreciation then it should continue to use to it for future periods unless valid reasons compel entity to alter the estimation technique. With Debitoor invoicing software, you have the option to use cash or accrual accounting methods for your business, which can be set under account settings.

• Another benefit of the consistency principle is that it promotes accuracy and reliability in financial reporting.
• It implies that a business must refrain from changing its accounting policy unless on reasonable grounds.
• All of the change requires full disclosure in the financial statements and how the change is affected.
• According to the consistency principle, Bob’s can change accounting methods for a justifiable reason.

We’ve given one consistency concept in accounting example above with the case of cash vs accrual methods. A second comparison would be between the First-In, First Out (FIFO) method and the Last-in, First-out (LIFO) methods of reporting inventory. Imagine that a corporation calculates its cost of goods sold and inventory value using the FIFO cost flow assumption. Given the growing cost of its components, it is determined that LIFO more properly reflects the company’s true profit.

On the other hand, communication principles do not refer to use of the same accounting policies. Sometimes, an accountant has to deal with issues that can be handled by a variety of principles (e.g., depreciation on fixed assets, valuation of stock, etc). This principle stresses that the accountant should select one approach and apply it consistently. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are uniform accounting principles for private companies and nonprofits in the U.S.

The Importance of the Principle of Consistency

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• Our team of reviewers are established professionals with decades of experience in areas of personal finance and hold many advanced degrees and certifications.
• With Debitoor invoicing software, you have the option to use cash or accrual accounting methods for your business, which can be set under account settings.
• The full disclosure principle states that you should include in an entity’s financial statements all information that would affect a reader’s understanding of those statements, such as changes in accounting principles applied.
• Such change is against the consistency principle of accounting and is not allowed, unless and until ABC can explain the reasons why such a change is necessary for true and fair view of the financial information.

For example changing from FIFO to LIFO in inflationary economy will suddenly cause profits to fall and cost of sales to increase and how current and quick ratio calculations are affected before and after the change. The advantages are pretty obvious, being consistent in how you report and calculate key financial indicators will give you the right numbers. The right numbers will lead you to make the appropriate decisions your business needs at that specific moment, and it goes without saying that the right decisions will help grow your business. Designed for freelancers and small business owners, Debitoor invoicing software makes it quick and easy to issue professional invoices and manage your business finances. A financial professional will offer guidance based on the information provided and offer a no-obligation call to better understand your situation.

Company

By contrast, with LIFO, the more recent costs of products come out of your inventory first, leaving the older costs on the balance sheet. To record the cost of goods sold, a business needs to choose either FIFO or LIFO. There are benefits to each method; typically reporting based on LIFO results in lower taxes due to a lower net income, while FIFO shows a higher net income.

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This was all about the topic of consistency principle, which is an important topic of Accountancy for Commerce students. This can prevent users from making decisions based on inaccurate or misleading financial information. Harold Averkamp (CPA, MBA) has worked as a university accounting instructor, accountant, and consultant for more than 25 years.

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Accounting frameworks leave it on management to judge and decide the matter. – Bob’s Computers, a computer retailer, has historically used FIFO for valuing its inventory. In the last few years, Bob’s has become quite profitable and Bob’s accountant suggests that Bob switch to the LIFO inventory system to minimize taxable income. According to the consistency principle, Bob’s can change accounting methods for a justifiable reason. The consistency principle does not state that businesses always have to use the same accounting method forever. Companies are allowed to switch accounting methods if the company can demonstrate why the new method is better than the old method.

This was disclosed, as required by GAAP, in the footnotes to the audited financial statements. IFRS also requires the entity to apply the same accounting policies in reporting its financial statements. In case there is any change in accounting policies and estimates, IAS 8 should be used. This means that both ratio analysis and trend analysis wouldn’t be available for investors and creditors to help gauge the company’s current performance. GAAP does allow companies to change accounting treatments when it is reasonable and justifiable. Companies are not allowed to change from one method to another in a current year then back to the previous method the following year.

What is the Materiality Concept?

However, in this example, whatever method is chosen for the purpose of depreciation must be consistently used for the same class of assets year after year. For example, if the performance is based on Net Sales, management might not recognize revenues by using the same accounting policies. My Accounting Course  is a world-class educational resource developed by experts to simplify accounting, finance, & investment analysis topics, so students and professionals can learn and propel their careers. For instance, GAAP allows companies to use either first in, first out (FIFO) or last in, first out (LIFO) as an inventory cost method. IFRS is a standards-based approach that is used internationally, while GAAP is a rules-based system used primarily in the U.S.

The entity has to disclose in the notes, the date of change, justification of doing so and the effect of such a change. Accounting frameworks around the world prohibit frequent change in accounting policies. This greatly affects comparability of financial statements and hence users’ understanding of the entity and its operations i.e. understandability.

This allows the readers of the financial statements to make meaningful comparisons between years. The ultimate goal of standardized accounting principles is to allow financial statement users to view a company’s financials with certainty that the information disclosed in the report is complete, consistent, and comparable. The ultimate goal of any set of accounting principles is to ensure that a company’s financial statements are complete, consistent, and comparable. Consistency principle is useful for measuring trends in the business which is spread across many accounting periods.