Understanding the international dimensions of accounting is vital for anyone who wants to do business or invest across national borders. Accounting amounts may vary substantially according to the principles that govern them. Differences in culture, business practices, Political and regulatory structures, Currency values, foreign exchange rates, local inflation rates, business risks, and tax codes must be considered in deciding where and how to do business. Financial Statements and other disclosures are impossible to understand without an awareness of the underlying accounting principles and business culture.
We discuss how accounting has developed historically, and offers a system of classification designed to help you understand the similarities and differences which you will find among national accounting principles. Accounting principles are often developed on an ad hoc basis and embody, in complicated and unpredictable ways, the information needs of managers, investors, bank and other creditors, tax authorities, Politicians and regulators, employee, and (increasingly) international organizations, among others. Resulting accounting systems vary dramatically in purpose, design, operation, and effect.