#fra-introduction
if a company acquires a piece of equipment to use in its operations, accounting standards require that the cost of the equipment be reported as an expense by allocating its cost less any residual value in a systematic manner over the equipment’s useful life. This allocation of the cost is known as
depreciation . Accounting standards permit flexibility, however, in determining the manner in which each year’s expense is determined. Two companies may acquire similar equipment but use different methods and assumptions to record the expense over time. An analyst’s ability to compare the companies’ performance is hindered by the difference. Analysts must understand reporting choices in order to make appropriate adjustments when comparing companies’ financial positions and performance.
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Open itritical requirement for objective financial analysis, an analyst should be aware of the potential for differences in accounting choices even when comparing two companies that use the same set of accounting standards.
For example, <span>if a company acquires a piece of equipment to use in its operations, accounting standards require that the cost of the equipment be reported as an expense by allocating its cost less any residual value in a systematic manner over the equipment’s useful life. This allocation of the cost is known as depreciation . Accounting standards permit flexibility, however, in determining the manner in which each year’s expense is determined. Two companies may acquire similar equipment but use different methods and assumptions to record the expense over time. An analyst’s ability to compare the companies’ performance is hindered by the difference. Analysts must understand reporting choices in order to make appropriate adjustments when comparing companies’ financial positions and performance.
A company’s significant accounting choices (policies, methods, and estimates) must be discussed in the notes to the financial statements. For example, a note containing a summary of sign Summary
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