This document discusses concepts from SFAC 7 and 8 regarding accounting theory and measurement. It provides definitions and principles for key concepts such as present value, fair value, liability measurement, and asset measurement.
The goals of financial reporting according to SFAC 8 are to provide useful information to investors, creditors, and other users for decision making. Such information includes reporting on an entity's financial position and cash flows. Qualitative characteristics like relevance and reliability are also discussed.
SFAC 8 establishes that the fundamental qualitative characteristics for financial information are representation and relevance. Relevant information must be predictive of future outcomes or allow for performance evaluation. Representation means information is complete, neutral, and free from error.