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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UNREALIZED is an event having occurred but not yet reflected in a transaction. This refers to unrealized gains and losses, which have not happened but would happen if the investor sold the security or asset that an entity currently holds. Unrealized gains are not usually taxable. It is the opposite of realized.

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