measurement. Two are based, at least in part, on historical information, unmodified and modified
historical cost; fair value is based exclusively on current information.20
The assessment focuses on measurement of assets and liabilities because the Framework
specifies that measurements of all financial statement elements depend on the measurements of
assets and liabilities. It focuses on subsequent measurement because when an asset or liability is
initially recognized and measured, these three measurements are often the same; often when an
asset is acquired or a liability is assumed, its unmodified historical cost is equal to its fair value and
there has been no reason to modify the cost.21 Regardless of the initial measurement, key
differences emerge subsequently.
Qualitative Characteristics
Fundamental Qualitative Characteristics
The Framework identifies relevance and faithful representation as the two fundamental
qualitative characteristics. Regarding relevance, Table 1 shows the relative assessment of predictive
value and confirmatory value, the two main aspects of relevance, for modified and unmodified
historical cost and fair value, and reveals that these measurement bases do not possess these
characteristics to the same extent.
One would not expect unmodified historical cost to possess much predictive value because it is
entirely historical and does not reflect current information, let alone information that reflects
expectations of the future.22 However, it could possess confirmatory value to the extent that
financial statement users compare historical cost to outcome benefits. Modified historical cost could
provide somewhat more predictive value because some modifications, such as asset impairments,
are based on current information that reflects expectations of the future. Modified historical cost
also could possess confirmatory value for the same reasons as unmodified historical cost, depending