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What's New

New USIG Country Note for Peru (1/4/08)

July Issue of International Dateline Now Available (7/15/08)

IRS Designates China Earthquake as Qualified Disaster, Maximizing Flexibility for Grantmakers’ Response (6/25/08)

Council on Foundations Comments on Revised Form 990 and Instructions (6/1/08)

Responding to the Earthquake in China (5/20/08)

Summary of May 16th teleconference on relief and recovery in Burma cyclone disaster (5/19/08)

Summary of Arabella Philanthropic Investment Advisors teleconference on relief and recovery needs and effective philanthropic strategies in response to the Myanmar (Burma) disaster (5/12/08)

Resources to respond to the Cyclone in Burma (5/8/08)

Revised Form 990: Implications for International Grantmakers (1/30/08)

New Legal Dimensions Article: International Grantmaking from Donor-advised Funds (01/15/08)

New USIG Country Note for Guatemala (1/4/08)

(...more headlines)


Who sets accounting standards in the U.S.?

Since 1973, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has been the designated organization in the private sector in the U.S. for establishing standards of financial accounting and reporting. Those standards govern the preparation of financial reports. They are officially recognized as authoritative by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Such standards are essential because donors, investors, creditors, auditors and others rely on credible, transparent and comparable financial information.

Securities and Exchange Commission

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has statutory authority to establish financial accounting and reporting standards for publicly held companies under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Throughout its history, however, the Commission’s policy has been to rely on the private sector for this function to the extent that the private sector demonstrates ability to fulfill the responsibility in the public interest.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)

The mission of FASB is to establish and improve standards of financial accounting and reporting for the guidance and education of the public, including issuers, auditors and users of financial information. The FASB develops broad accounting concepts as well as standards for financial reporting. It also provides guidance on implementation of standards, known as Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS).

 

What are the applicable accounting standards for U.S. not-for-profit organizations?



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