Investopedia contributors come from a range of backgrounds, and over 25 years there have been thousands of expert writers and editors who have contributed. Somer G. Anderson is CPA, doctor of ...

Generally accepted accounting principles, known as GAAP, are a standard set of guidelines followed by US accountants and corporations. Since publicly traded companies are required to report GAAP ...

Financial accounting principles shape the recording of nearly every business transaction in the business world. The creation of these principles is no small task and can sometimes seem nearly ...

Any small business that publishes financial statements must prepare those statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. GAAP includes accounting principles and ...

Effective management accounting practices can improve decision-making in organizations, which need sound fundamentals but also speed when trying to decide which strategic paths to follow. In short, ...

Will Kenton is an expert on the economy and investing laws and regulations. He previously held senior editorial roles at Investopedia and Kapitall Wire and holds a MA in Economics from The New School ...

Understanding these concepts can help you make smarter financial decisions in the long run and day to day. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who ...

When a public company issues a financial statement, everything needs to be clear and well-understood by everyone reading it. To ensure this, it’s paramount to have a baseline for reporting. That’s ...

GAAP ensures public companies report finances consistently for clear investor comparisons. GAAP adherence is mandated by the SEC, crucial for comparing financial performance. Understanding GAAP helps ...

If you run a small business, you may not know much about the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). After all, GAAP standards apply mainly to publicly traded companies, so these rules don’t ...

Knowing GAAP will help you understand your accountant's decision-making process better. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you ...