The Conceptual Framework for financial reporting was one of the biggest achievements for FASB. The achievement of Conceptual Framework for financial reporting can be explained by the necessity to find a solution to the failures of standard setting by the AICPA. The AICPA was under criticism because of its refusal of a single uniform system of accounting which had led to many options that reduced the quality of financial reporting. A lack of consistent objectives and principles made it difficult to impose accounting solutions which could be accepted by everyone. A Conceptual Framework was therefore crucial to justify standards and make them acceptable.
Is the Conceptual Framework Useful?
The purpose of the U.S. Conceptual Framework is to be used as a guide in the development of consistent accounting standards, leading to a more coherent set of accounting principles to aid practice. Literature shows that Conceptual Framework has not fulfilled its purpose. Many researchers have pointed out the incompleteness, the inconsistency, and the circular reasoning of the Framework. Standards prior to the Framework have not been revised and as such were not consistent and the Framework has not provided sufficient grounding to achieve the consistency and comparability objective.
Conceptual Framework not an Authority
Conceptual Framework has to be treated as “the literature” not as an authority to be referred to, but as a useful source of ideas and to attempt to see alternative ways of framing the issues. It provides interpretations for GAAP, rule-based principles. The Conceptual Framework is a conception or model of what is out there – a tentative theory of phenomenon. The purpose of the conceptual Framework is not only to be descriptive, but also critical. If the Conceptual Framework becomes GAAP, it will be based on rules, instead of principles.