PRINCIPLES-BASED ACCOUNTING Definition

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PRINCIPLES-BASED ACCOUNTING provides for few exact rules and little implementation guidance. Instead, general principles are put forward and companies must ensure that their financial statements fairly and accurately represent these principles. Proponents argue that this type of system does not allow for less than ethical financial engineering, where complex transactions are undertaken in order to get around following specific rules-based accounting standards. Critics believe a principles-based system allows too much leeway for companies, because they generally do not have to follow specific rules, only wide-arching principles. See also RULES-BASED ACCOUNTING.

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DEFICIT SPENDING is an excess of government expenditures over government revenue, resulting in a shortfall that must be financed through borrowing.

STRIPPED PRICE, for a preferred stock, is the market price minus the theoretical dividend.

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