Explanation
The principle of full disclosure requires that all material and relevant facts concerning financial performance of an enterprise must be fully and completely disclosed in the financial statements and their accompanying footnotes.
This is to enable the users to make correct assessment about the profitability and financial soundness of the enterprise and help them to take informed decisions.
The concept of conservatism (also called ‘prudence’) provides guidance for recording transactions in the books of accounts and is based on the policy of playing safe.
The concept states that a conscious approach should be adopted in ascertaining income so that profits of the enterprise are not overstated.
The concept of conservatism requires that profits should not to be recorded until realised but all losses, even those which may have a remote possibility, are to be provided in the books of accounts.
Dual aspect is the foundation or basic principle of accounting. This concept states that every transaction has a dual or two-fold effect and should therefore be recorded at two places.
The duality principle is commonly expressed in terms of fundamental Accounting Equation, which is as follows :
Assets = Liabilities + Capital
In other words, the equation states that the assets of a business are always equal to the claims of owners and the outsiders. The claims also called equity of owners is termed as Capital(owners’ equity) and that of outsiders, as Liabilities(creditors equity).
The convention of conservatism is the convention of caution, or the policy of playing safe. This principle requires that in the situation of uncertainty and doubt, the business transactions should be recorded in such a manner that the profits and assets are not overstated and losses and liabilities are not understated. The following are some examples:
1. Closing stock is valued at cost price or Net realisable value, whichever is lower.
2. Joint life insurance policy is shown only at surrender value as against the amount paid.
3. Provision for doubtful debt is created in anticipation of bad debts etc.
4. Provision for pending law suit against the firm, which may either be decided in its favour.
Hence, the market value of investments is shown in the balance sheet as a footnote according to the disclosure concept.
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