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In addition to general GAAP principles, the rules that apply only to nonprofits include: GAAP rules for nonprofits are intended to create transparency for donors, including grant-makers, as well as helping the government monitor whether an organization should retain its tax-exempt status. The goal of GAAP is to ensure that the financial statements for for-profit entities are consistent across industries, allowing investors and the government to interpret them more easily. There are certain pronouncements that apply only to non-profits and certain that do not apply to non-profits. Yes, the Accounting Standards Codification typically applies to both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Under GAAP, the FASB pronouncements (ASC) are the top-level guidance and take precedence over the AICPA pronouncements.ĭoes GAAP apply to non-profit organizations?
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What is the hierarchy of these pronouncements? The FASB pronouncements are contained in the Accounting Standards Codification, a centralized resource.
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Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).The main purpose of GAAP is to ensure that financial reporting is transparent and consistent from one organization to another.Ĭurrently, the GAAP policies are set primarily by three entities: GAAP includes definitions of accounting concepts and principles, as well as industry-specific rules. These principles constitute preferred accounting treatment. GAAP is an acronym for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
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