On Narrowing The Credibility GAAP: Has The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Enhanced The Credibility Of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to apply social-psychological research methods to address an issue of widespread concern in the accounting profession. One of the primary motives underlying the creation of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) was to increase the credibility of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Our main objective was to assess any differences in the perceived credibility of FASB GAAP and pre-FASB GAAP, as indicated by three groups of FASB constituents familiar with these procedures: corporate preparers of financial statements (preparers), CPAs who audit financial reports to ensure their adherence to GAAP (auditors), and accountants who use financial reports to make lending and investment decisions (users). The results indicated that (a) the credibility of accounting principles can be assessed, (b) not all dimensions that have been touted as contributors to the “credibility” of accounting practices predict accountants’ perceptions of credibility, and (c) examples of FASB GAAP were perceived as less credible than corresponding examples of pre-FASB GAAP by each of the above three groups of FASB constituents. Some implications of these results and suggestions for future research are discussed.