What are the basic components of the conceptual framework? What are your opinion about the success of the conceptual framework Solution Conceptual Framework Underlying Financial Accounting The development of accounting standards or any other accounting guidelines need a foundation of underlying principles. In July 1989, The International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) issued a \"Conceptual Framework\" to serve as a basis for accounting standards. The Accounting Standards Board of the ICAI has issued a similar framework for same purpose in July 2000. This framework serves as a constitution and provides the fundamental basis for development of new accounting standards as also for review of existing standards. The principle areas covered by the framework are as follows: Components of financial statements >Balance sheet >Profit & Loss A/c >Cash Flow Statement >Notes & Schedules to Accounts Objectives of Financial Statements: Objectives require financial statements to show the results of business operations and stewardship or accountability of the management in respect of resources entrusted to it, to the diversified stakeholders of the business. Assumptions Underlying Financial statements: Three fundamental accounting assumptions are as follows: >Going Concern >Consistency >Accrual Qualitative Characteristics of Financial Statements: >Understandability >Relevance >Reliability >Comparability >True & Fair View Elements of Financial Statements: The five financial elements are assets, Liabilities, Equity, Income/Gains, and Expenses/losses. Principles of Measurement of Financial Statements: Measurement is the process of determining money value at which an element can be recognised in the balance Sheet or statement of profit or loss. The framework recognises four alternative bases for the purpose. These bases relate explicitly to the valuation of assets and liabilities. In preparation of financial statements, all or any of the below can be used in varying combinations to assign money values to financial items: (a) Historical Values (b) Current Cost (c) Realisable(Settlement) Value and (d) Present Value PURPOSE OF THE FRAMEWORK The framework sets out the concepts underlying the preparation and presentation of general purpose financial statements prepared by enterprises for external users. The main purpose of the framework is: (a). To assists enterprises in preparation of their financial statements in compliance with the accounting standard and in dealing with the topics not yet covered by any accounting standard. (b). To assists ASB in its task of development and review of accounting standards. (c). To assists ASB in promoting harmonisation of regulations, accounting standards and procedures relating to the preparation and presentation of financial statement by providing a basis for reducing the number of alternative accounting treatments permitted by accounting standards. (d). To assists auditors in forming an opinion as to whether financial sta.