Nature of Accounting Policies and Disclosure Requirements of AS-1

Nature of Accounting Policies

As mentioned above, accounting policies refer to the specific principles, methods, and rules adopted or followed by an enterprise in the preparation and presentation of financial statements. These policies vary depending on the circumstances in which enterprises operate. The differing circumstances in a situation of diverse and complex economic activity make alternative accounting principles and methods of applying those principles acceptable.

The choice of appropriate accounting principles and the methods of applying those principles in the specific circumstances of each enterprise calls for considerable judgement by the management of the enterprise. Therefore, there is no single list of accounting policies which are applicable to all circumstances.

Disclosure of Accounting Policies

To ensure proper understanding of financial statements, all significant accounting policies adopted in the preparation and presentation of financial statements should be disclosed, by way of notes forming part of the financial statements. It would be helpful to the reader of financial statements if disclosure of the accounting policies is made at one place, instead of being scattered over several statements, schedules, and notes.

Furthermore, any change in an accounting policy which has a material effect should be disclosed. The amount by which any item in the financial statements is affected by such change should also be disclosed to the extent ascertainable. Where such amount is not ascertainable, wholly or in part, the fact should be indicated.

If a change is made in the accounting policies which has no material effect on the financial statements for the current period but which is reasonably expected to have a material effect in later periods, the fact of such change should be appropriately disclosed in the period in which the change is adopted.

It is important to note that disclosure of accounting policies or of changes therein cannot remedy a wrong or inappropriate treatment of the item in the accounts.

Conclusion

In summary, the disclosure of accounting policies is crucial in ensuring transparency and accuracy in financial statements. AS-1 of the ICAI requires the disclosure of all essential accounting policies in financial statements. Accounting policies refer to the specific principles, methods, and rules used in the preparation and presentation of financial statements. The nature of accounting policies varies depending on the circumstances in which enterprises operate. It is important to disclose any changes in accounting policies which have a material effect and to disclose all significant accounting policies in one place. However, it is important to note that disclosure of accounting policies cannot remedy a wrong or inappropriate treatment of the item in the accounts.