Understanding Conservatism Constraint in GAAP

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Assignment 5.1.3
1.10 The Baptist Foundation of Arizona: The Conservatism Constrain
1. Consider the principles, assumptions, and constraints of GAAP (GAAP). Define the conservatism constraint and explain why it is important to users of financial statements.
Conservatism constraint is the “general concept of recognizing expenses and liabilities as soon as possible when there is uncertainty about an outcome, but to only recognize revenues and assets when they are incurred”. In other words, if there is doubt about incurring a loss, one should incline to record it. However, if there is doubt about a gain, one should not be inclined to recognize until it is incurred. Moreover, costs should be complemented with the revenue that generates the work. …show more content…

Based on the evidence, they failed to meet the accrual recognition requirements, in addition to the following:
a. down payment and periodic payments that demonstrates commitment
b. receivables is not subject to future reduction
Therefore they should not have recognized profit from the sale and thus violated the conservatism constraint.
3. Consult paragraph 2 and paragraph A5 (in Appendix A) of PCAOB Auditing Standard 5. Do you believe the BFA had established an effective system of internal control over financial reporting related to its significant year-end transactions? Why or why not?
According to PCAOB Auditing Standard 5 paragraph 2, “effective internal control over financial reporting provides reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes. If one or more material weaknesses exist, the company 's internal control over financial reporting cannot be considered …show more content…

BFA did not provide enough assurance that required the transaction to be recorded in accordance with GAAP. Thus is the case with BFA and the transaction that took place with ALO and New Church Ventures.
4. Consider the sale of the Santa Fe Trails Ranch II stock by foundation Investments to friends. Do you believe that the auditor should have completed any additional testing beyond vouching the payment received from friend? Provide the rationale for your

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