In: Finance
What is the main reason that it is necessary for public companies to follow the rules and format set out in the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) when creating financial statements?
The most important reason that most companies are required to follow rules and format set out in the US GAAP is it makes it easier to compare the financial statement and the performance of the company with other firms in the industry or outside it. In most countries across the world there are set rules and format in which the financial statement has to be presented every period be it quarterly or semi-annually or annually because it is then easy to compare its financial performance with other firms in the industry. The set rules and standards have to be followed by every public company.