Accounting policy is a set of options for conducting accounting and tax accounting and reporting. Accounting policy is developed by each organization independently. In this case, there is a choice of accounting options within the framework provided for by regulatory enactments. Also, accounting policies reflect the accounting methods chosen by the organization, which are ambiguously interpreted in accounting or tax legislation.
The main document regulating the development of an accounting policy by an organization is the Accounting Regulation "Accounting Policy of an Organization" (PBU 1/2008). However, there are references to accounting policies in many other PBUs. Accounting policy for tax purposes is mentioned in the Tax Code of the Russian Federation.
According to official definition(clause 2 PBU 1/2008) "under accounting policy organization is understood as the set of methods of conducting accounting- primary observation, cost measurement, current grouping and final generalization of facts economic activity."
Examples of accounting policies are: the method of writing off the cost of inventories (at the cost of each unit; at average cost; FIFO), fixed asset depreciation method and intangible assets etc. See accounting policy.
Generally, accounting policies are divided into accounting policies for accounting purposes and accounting policies for tax purposes. As a rule, both are approved within the framework of one internal document - an order on accounting policies.
Applications are usually drawn up to the order of the accounting policy: worker, forms used by the organization primary documents and other information that is part of the accounting policy.
The accounting policy is approved by the organization before or at the very beginning of the financial year. Approval of the accounting policy annually, if it has not changed, is not required.
The organization can change the accounting policy in the cases established by PBU 1/2008. In particular, when changing legislation, when there is a significant change in business conditions, etc. Usually, changes are made from the beginning of the reporting year. At the same time, it is not considered a change in accounting policy to approve the method of accounting for facts of economic activity that differ in essence from the facts that took place earlier, or that arose for the first time in the organization's activities.
A convenient way to quickly prepare an accounting policy is the online assistant "". The service allows you to step by step, with prompts, choose the options for accounting and tax accounting applicable to the organization (about 60 points in total).
Still have questions about accounting and taxes? Ask them on the accounting forum.
Accounting policy: details for an accountant
The requirement to draw up an accounting policy in accordance with the accounting policy of the founder was introduced for the first time. The accounting policy is formed by the chief accountant ... amendments to the accounting policy of the institution. As established by clause 13 of the FSBU "Accounting Policy", the accounting policy changes with ... changes in the accounting policy; b) the content of the change in accounting policy; c) the procedure for reflecting the consequences of a change in accounting policy in ...
Dates of the relevant change in accounting policy Retrospective application of the changed accounting policy Applying the changed accounting policy to the facts... . 8 GHS "Accounting policy"). The head of the institution approves the accounting policy. When forming an accounting policy, an institution should be guided by ... year (clause 11 of the GHS "Accounting Policy"). Change in accounting policy Change in accounting policy is made from the beginning of the reporting ...
2019. Development and approval of accounting policies. Accounting policy is a documented set of .... 22 GHS "Accounting policy"). Components of an accounting policy. As part of the accounting policy, they approve (clause 9 of the GHS “Accounting Policy”): methods ... of accounting policy documents should be posted on the official website of the institution. Adjustment of accounting policy. Adjustment of accounting policy is possible...
...) institutions. Clause 8 of the Accounting Policy Standard provides that accounting policies should be formed Chief Accountant... into an existing accounting policy. Making changes to the accounting policy Making changes to the accounting policy of the state (municipal ... after the date of the corresponding change in the accounting policy The changed accounting policy is applied to the facts of economic life ...
By virtue of clause 8 of the FSBU "Accounting Policy", the accounting policy is developed by the chief accountant of the institution. With ... FSBU "Accounting Policy"). By virtue of clause 7 of the FSBU "Accounting Policy", when forming an accounting policy, an institution follows ... the requirements of the FSBU "Conceptual Framework". Composition of the accounting policy Accounting policy budget institution may be formed ... after a change in accounting policy (prospective application of the changed accounting policy). The retrospective application of a modified accounting policy is not...
Cases of changes in the accounting policy FSBU "Accounting Policy" established cases of changes in the accounting policy of the institution, and ... if the new accounting policy was always applied. Consequences of changes in accounting policies Changes in accounting policies, usually... changes in accounting policies (prospective application of the changed accounting policy). Note. Retrospective application of the changed accounting policy does not...
Formation, approval and changes in accounting policies almost completely duplicate the provisions of the Law... Consequences of adjusting accounting policies The procedure for applying changes. Apply changed accounting policy to facts... accounting policy; 4) in the case of retrospective application of accounting policies: the amount of adjustments associated with a change in accounting policies ... reports are presented. * * * According to the GHS "Accounting Policy" to apply the amended accounting policy to the facts of economic life ...
Fundamentals. For example, in the accounting policy of an institution, it is necessary to provide for methods ... for centralized supply. In the accounting policy, it is necessary to provide for the procedure for maintaining analytical ..., expensive equipment) in the accounting policy, it is possible to provide for the possibility of attracting ... Reserves for future expenses. The accounting policy of the institution establishes the procedure for the formation of reserves ... and the accounting policy of the founder (clause 7 of the FSBU "Accounting Policy"). The main provisions of the accounting policy of the institution ...
Form and composition of the accounting policy. The accounting policy of an institution is formed by adopting accounting policy documents. At the same time ... the formation of an accounting policy for a number of provisions (accounting policy documents). For example, in clause 9 of the GHS “Accounting Policy”, in ... accounting policy documents; 3) the implementation of the first two points in the aggregate. Change in accounting policy Accounting policy is applied ... GHS "Accounting policy"). Changes in accounting policies are possible in the following cases (clause 12 of the GHS "Accounting Policy", paragraph ...
Accounting policy in accordance with the requirements of the FSB. Below we consider the provisions of the accounting policy that should be adjusted. Accounting policy ... accounting, which is an appendix to the accounting policy, was relevant, it is possible to include ... and establishes in its accounting policy the most rational method of accrual ... indications valuations prescribed in the accounting policy of the institution. 10. Establish an order ... as part of the formation of your accounting policy, provide for the following provisions for maintaining ...
Accounting policy. The Accounting Policies standard provides for the following ways of applying changes in accounting policies; 1. A promising way. Changed accounting policy... changes in accounting policy; 2) the content of the change in accounting policy; 3) the procedure for reflecting the consequences of a change in accounting policies in ... accounting policies, taking into account the above provisions of the Standard "Accounting Policies". Next, let's move on to the accounting policy sections ...
Of the year federal standard"Accounting policies, estimates and errors", accounting policy for 2018 ... object is not a change in accounting policy. Application of new accounting policies Entry into force... application of the amended accounting policy; retrospective application of the changed accounting policy. Thus, entering into the accounting policy in ... should be reflected in the accounting policy for 2018. The accounting policy is formed based on the features ...
Which there was a change in accounting policy. Please note: the retrospective application of an amended accounting policy is not ... a change in accounting policy (prospective application of an amended accounting policy). Disclosure of information in financial statements Information about accounting policies... the application of the changed accounting policy is carried out. In the case of retrospective application of the changed accounting policy, the following are indicated: amounts ...
Non-exchange transactions should be approved in the accounting policy. For example: “Acquisition of escheated property... eligible assets. In the accounting policy, the Ministry of Finance recommends specifying the procedure for applying ... Accounting policy adjustments In connection with the change in Instruction No. 157n, the accounting policy should be adjusted ... changes in the accounting policy. What should be checked in the accounting policy for ... List of documents (applications) of the accounting policy. If there were no document flow rules in the accounting policy ...
Drawing up an accounting policy for 2019? The main requirements for the accounting policy of the company ... should be taken into account in the accounting policy? When developing an accounting policy as for the purposes ... the accounting policy of a trade organization will differ from the accounting policy of a manufacturing enterprise. So, in the accounting policy ... the formation, approval and change of accounting policies, the rules for reflecting in the accounting ... (financial) statements: the consequences of changes in accounting policies, estimated values, corrections of errors. ...
If a manager wants to be a good manager, then he must be able to put things in order in the property of the enterprise and know how much it costs. In this light, accounting policy seems to be an indispensable attribute of modern business relations. And if we also remember that any organization is a participant in tax relations, it becomes clear that a business will not live long without an accounting system. So, what is the accounting policy of the organization?
Accounting policy of the organization - it is a set of methods that allow to systematize accounting information about the functioning of the enterprise and its property.
In practice, the accounting policy is presented in the form of a document that should clearly regulate the economic life of the enterprise: when to pay for obligations, how to document business transactions what to attribute to working capital, or fixed assets, how to evaluate the value of assets and much more.
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There is quite a large number of management techniques accounting and tax accounting. From their variety, the chief accountant selects those that best meet the requirements of a particular company.
It is this selection process, documented and approved by the head of the company by order, that reflects the concept of the accounting policy of a single enterprise.
The accounting policy of the organization is formed subject to the following prerequisites:
For example, labor remuneration (salary) should be reflected when it was accrued, regardless of when it was paid.
Thus, taking into account the prerequisites and requirements for accounting policies, it is possible to form an accounting policy, which is subject to approval by the head of the enterprise and consists of: ways of dividing into types and analyzing episodes of management, methods of payment accounts receivable, methods for coordinating the turnover of accounting documents, methods for coordinating an inventory of property, methods for using accounting accounts, a set of accounting accounts, methods for analyzing data, and other necessary methodology.
The entrepreneur is not obliged to without fail register the accounting policy with the tax authorities. But sometimes, in order to analyze the tax situation of an enterprise, authorized bodies may be asked to provide the company's accounting policy.
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For individual entrepreneurs there is no accounting policy and accounting at all.
Scheme: Organizational and methodological aspects of accounting policy. Accounting policies are adjusted from one reporting period to another. If it is necessary to make amendments before the end of the current reporting period, then this can be done in the following cases: a change in the rules of law regarding accounting, the preparation by the company of new accounting methods, significant changes in economic situation enterprises.
In case of changes in accounting policies, if they have caused strong changes in the statements, they must be indicated in it, as well as bring the data of all statements in line with the changes. You can specify changes in explanatory note. Then it is necessary to indicate the reason for the changes, the essence of the changes, the amount of changes, the current way of displaying the results of changes in accounting.
and step-by-step instruction on registration are contained in the publication by reference.
Sample accounting policy of the organization. According to Chapter 25 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, accounting policies should be carried out separately: in order to fulfill the goals of accounting and tax accounting. If the legislative acts do not stipulate the right to choose from several alternatives for calculating one procedure, then it does not need to be reflected in the accounting policy.
When an accounting policy is drawn up, it is necessary to indicate only those accounting methods that are already in use or will be used.
The basic principles and methodology of the accounting policy of the organization were discussed in detail in the following video lesson:
With the onset of market relations, the requirements for the formation of accounting in organizations have changed.
The essence of this approach is that, according to general rules established by the state, the company conducts an independent development of an accounting policy for the implementation of the tasks set.
An optimally selected accounting policy affects the size of the cost of goods, profits, taxes, and the company's budget criteria. That is, it is considered the most important means to create a certain volume of workflow key figures, tax and price planning. Without studying it, a comparative analysis of the criteria for the organization's work for different periods or with other firms is not allowed.
Accounting policy is a set of fundamental accounting methods that a company chooses in accordance with business conditions.
Its main goal is the maximum reflection of the company's activities, the formation of reliable, complete and objective information for effective regulation.
The right choice of policy will allow the organization to regulate work processes, increase the efficiency of the use of its own resources, reduce the risk of errors, protect against claims from regulatory authorities, make reports transparent and make business attractive.
For it to be effective, a systematic approach is required, a detailed analysis of accounting and tax legislation. Taking into account the amount of materials, the specifics of Russian tax laws and the practice of their use, it takes a lot of time and effort to develop documentation.
You can see the basic principles and methodology for compiling a document in the following video:
The organization is engaged in the formation of an accounting policy based on the following factors:
Creates it in the enterprise chief accountant for accounting needs in accordance with the Regulations, but the head agrees (clause 5 PBU 1/98, agreed by order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 60n of December 9, 1998).
The policy concerns the work of all structural divisions of the company and employees who must comply with all conditions. Therefore, its coordination is carried out by issuing a separate order, and all interested structural departments and officials take part in it. If necessary, third-party consultants invited under the contract can additionally deal with the development.
This documentation is developed at all enterprises and does not depend on the means of investment and forms of ownership. The accounting methods chosen by the company have been used since the beginning of the year after the release of organizational and administrative documentation. They must be used by all structural units.
In accordance with the approved plan, the organization independently develops a working chart of accounts, from all accounts it can choose the necessary ones, enter other synthetic accounts with free codes.
The company conducts an independent choice of the form of accounting (simplified, journal-order, etc.), the list of accounting registers, their stages, construction and methods of fixing them. The system of intra-production reporting, accounting and control is independently developed in accordance with the features of functioning and norms of production management.
The form of the policy is not regulated by the norms, therefore it can be stated in the order. May be in text format with highlighted paragraphs in tabular or other form. The most suitable is table document. The accounting policy agreed upon in the order is an independent completed documentation with a unique form and structure that corresponds to the purposes of creation.
Thanks to the tabular form, the document becomes more structured with references to the standards that are the rationale for the chosen method of accounting. At the same time, some sections of the paper are graphically highlighted, corresponding to certain directions or objects. This simplifies the further use of it by specialists in everyday work.
It should include applications, including workflow, forms of external accounting reports, and a working accounting plan.
There may also be applications in the form of additionally created primary accounting documents, detailed technologies of developed accounting methods, etc. But at the same time, the policy remains official documentation, it can be requested when performing inspections, court proceedings.
Often tax authorities do not accept annual reports without this document. But if it remains unchanged, then you can specify this fact in cover letter to reporting. Some regulatory structures may require documentation when conducting or.
All organizations are involved in politics, while individual entrepreneurs do not have it due to the lack of accounting.
It must meet the following conditions:
A company recently created during reorganization forms the chosen accounting policy in accordance with the basic rules no later than 3 months from the time.
The following documents are being approved:
The company must disclose approved accounting practices that influence stakeholder decision making. The essential methods of their conduct include those without which an assessment of the financial position of the organization, the movement of its finances or performance is not carried out.
Accounting methods approved when the policy was created and requiring disclosure in the reports include depreciation methods for intangible and other assets, fixed assets, valuation of goods, inventories, work in progress and finished products, recognition of revenue from the sale of services, goods, products, etc. .
Also disclosed are:
For intangible assets, the following information is disclosed in accounting reports:
A document can be modified in the following situations:
A significant change in the working conditions of an organization occurs when a change of ownership, reorganization, change in specialization, reduction or expansion of production volumes, restructuring, etc.
Changes in the documentation must be justified, executed in the appropriate manner. They are introduced from the beginning of the new year, which follows after their agreement.
An assessment of the consequences of changes that may affect the financial flow, cash position or performance of the company is expressed in money. The assessment is carried out according to verified data for the period from which the modified accounting methodology is used. Significant methods of its maintenance should be disclosed in the explanatory note attached to the reports for the past period. Interim reports may not include accounting policy information if last year there was no change in it.
Separate disclosures in the financial statements are subject to changes that could have a significant effect on the financial flows, financial results or position of the company. Such information should reflect the reason for the changes, their assessment in financial terms, an indication of the correction of data entered in the financial statements.
Other details of the document should be noted:
Based on the taxation system used, the following issues can be considered:
The organization consistently uses the adopted accounting policy every year, may change it in case of innovations in Russian legislation or regulatory acts of regulatory bodies.
The accounting policy combines information on the formulation and maintenance of the accounting, tax, business document flow of the company. Responsibility for the development, application of accounting policies lies with the chief accountant or a person performing his functions. The formation of the document flow procedure is carried out with the participation of responsible persons of structural divisions. The document acquires legal force after approval by its head. In this article, we will consider how to draw up an accounting policy for an organization, what provisions it includes and what parts it consists of.
The accounting policy includes provisions on the organization of accounting, the list of documentary forms used, the frequency of their compilation and the persons responsible for accounting. Employees of the enterprise use the provisions of the form for competent accounting in accordance with the requirements of the law. The document is used as a guide by financially responsible persons, employees of the personnel service, accounting department and other departments involved in the creation, movement of enterprise assets.
The accounting policy of the enterprise determines the option for generating data in the presence of several methods proposed by law. The document allows you to defend the position of high-quality accounting of the enterprise and is presented during the audit of the tax authorities.
Accounting policies should be formed by companies of all organizational forms. Individual entrepreneurs apply the provisions of the document mainly for the purposes of tax accounting. In the section relating to accounting, the IP indicates a list of objects of mandatory maintenance (income, expenses, physical indicator, and others).
The amount of information in the document depends on the specifics of the enterprise, the taxation system, and the requirements for the completeness of accounting. The document is drawn up in any form with the inclusion of mandatory sections that define the rules for maintaining accounting (BU) and tax (NU) accounting. The enterprise has the right to include in the document only provisions sufficient for keeping records of the volume.
The publication of the accounting policy is made in the form of an order. When approving a document, enterprises pursue the principle of consistency. When issuing an annual accounting policy, the following features of the document are taken into account:
A single edition of the accounting policy (Policy) is allowed after the registration of the company and without reference to the end date. In the event of changes in the accounting structure or legislation, the new edition document.
The document consists of an organizational section and separate parts relating to the main provisions of the BU and NU of the enterprise. The Policy information includes:
It is not allowed to introduce into the Policy provisions that contradict the current legislation. The composition of the information must be sufficient and appropriate for the specific conditions of the enterprise's accounting.
Let us consider the entry into conflict with the provisions of the law of the provisions of the Policy adopted by the organization LLC "Temp". The Policy, developed by the chief accountant of the company, introduced a provision on the application of the accrual method for accounting for assets - income and expenses when maintaining accounting and accounting records. The enterprise applies a simplified taxation system, which determines the obligation to use the cash method of accounting for assets and liabilities in NU. Conclusion: The chief accountant of Temp LLC will need to change the provisions regarding taxation.
If an entity does not use the provisions of a particular PBU or other normative act, it is necessary to indicate this in the accounting policy. The company should not indicate in the accounting policy information that is present in other documents of the company:
As an example, consider the situation with the use of requirements that do not correspond to the taxation system. The commercial enterprise Ritm LLC, which keeps records according to the USN, switched to the OSN without making changes to the accounting policy. The use of a generally established system obliges enterprises to choose a method for accounting for tax liabilities, assets using RAS 18/02 or bypassing the documentation of permanent and temporary differences in accounting records and accounting records.
The application of PBU and the absence of an indication of the use of standards leads to questions from the IFTS about the discrepancy between profit indicators in the balance sheet and the declaration. Conclusion: It will take time for the officials of Ritm LLC and correction of the accounting policy to create grounds for the application of PBU 18/02.
When choosing an accounting option, a reference to laws and acts that allow the application of the norm is allowed. It is considered unnecessary to duplicate the provisions of the legislation that can be clearly formulated. When entering data, it is required to adhere to the principles of expediency, prudence and sufficiency.
Consider the types of appropriate and unnecessary information in the Policy on the example of a number of provisions adopted for the purposes of accounting
| inexpedient position | Required position | Comment |
| When making changes, you must adhere to the new edition. | Documents approved with a specific date are not retroactive | |
| Record keeping of information on accounting accounts in accounting records is carried out using double entry (the organization uses DOS and full accounting records) | Companies that maintain full accounting records always use a double entry form for accounting accounts. | |
| Insignificant accounting errors of past years are subject to correction in the current discovery period and are reflected in the financial statements. | The provision is enshrined in clause 14 of PBU 22/2010 and does not require duplication in the Policy | |
| Depreciation charges are written off on a straight-line basis for all assets | Choosing a depreciation method is a prerequisite for maintaining fixed asset accounting | |
| Inventory write-off is assessed at the average cost | The choice of the method of writing off the inventory - essential condition, which allows you to calculate the cost |
Maintaining accounting records in full is carried out without fail by companies that apply the generally established taxation system. For enterprises using special regimes, it is allowed to draw up simplified forms and composition of balance sheets. Accounting using the simplified tax system, UTII, ESHN is allowed without the use of double entry. A number of provisions included in the section on accounting.
| Policy Item | |
| Limit set for fixed assets | Recognition of fixed assets and registration is carried out if the value of assets exceeds 40 thousand rubles |
| Revaluation of fixed assets | Not produced |
| Depreciation method | Linear |
| Recognition of transportation costs | Included in selling expenses |
| Estimation method for write-off of inventories when transferred to production | The cost per unit method is applied |
A fragment of the accounting policy regarding the maintenance of accounting records shows the capacity of the provisions that allow you to correctly determine the setting and write-off of assets. The company may supplement the information with references to legislative acts.
For companies with special regimes, it will be necessary to determine the conditions for maintaining accounting records:
When keeping records in an automated form, an indication of the method of processing information using service programs will be required.
The procedure for maintaining tax accounting of an enterprise is quite fully defined in the Tax Code of the Russian Federation. There are no requirements for the application of accounting policies in the Code. No link in accounting policy on specific legislative acts does not cancel the obligation to apply the rules in accounting. Enterprises are developing a section on taxation primarily for internal users. Some of the provisions governing tax accounting are presented in the table below.
| Policy Item | Option chosen by the enterprise |
How data is grouped for tax purposes | Specially developed tax registers attached to the order are used |
| Carrying out depreciation deductions | Depreciation premium used |
| Income and expense recognition method | The cash method of recognition is applied |
| Composition of expenses classified as direct | A list is indicated - labor costs and other |
| Application of PBU 18/02 | Not used |
| Using standardized costs | Applied at the maximum allowable cost |
If an enterprise uses specialized programs for tax accounting, it will be required to indicate this in the Policy and name the product. At the same time, a provision on the use of tax registers provided by the accounting software.
Question number 1. What to do if there is no Accounting Policy at the time of the audit by the tax authorities? Submit a document that has become invalid or refer to its absence?
In the absence of an accounting policy, the tax authorities may impose on the enterprise the sanctions established by Art. 126 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation in the amount of 200 rubles. Additionally, a fine under the Code of Administrative Offenses may be imposed on an official. An organization that applies inactive provisions may be subject to sanctions under Art. 120 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, entailing more significant fines in terms of amounts.
Question number 2. Is it possible to submit reports in a simplified form as a micro-enterprise, if the condition is not included in the Accounting Policy?
Accounting policies have no greater force than legislative acts. If the law allows for the possibility of reporting in a simplified version, the absence of a condition in the Accounting Policy will not affect the right of the organization.
Question number 3. Is it allowed to use two types of accounting policies in an organization in case of combining taxation systems?
If it is necessary to keep records in conditions of combining modes, the procedure for the formation of separate accounting is fixed in the accounting policy. The document defines the main indicators and is accepted in a single copy.
Question number 4. Is it required to file an accounting policy with the IFTS?
The document "Accounting Policy" is not submitted as part of the reporting to the Federal Tax Service. Presentation may be required at the request of the inspector during a desk or on-site inspection.
Question number 5. It will be necessary to make changes to the accounting policy if there is no need to create provisions for vacation in a new fiscal year? Previously, the obligation was included in the document.
A change in the accounting scheme of an enterprise requires adjustments to the Accounting Policy. An unused provision may raise questions and sanctions by inspectors.
The accounting policy of an organization is an accepted set of accounting methods, namely, primary observation, cost measurement, current grouping and final generalization of the facts of economic activity (clause 2 PBU 1/08).
The main objectives pursued by enterprises for the development and approval of accounting policies are as follows:
1) fixing the choice of accounting method;
2) regulation of the maximum number of elements of the organization of accounting, as well as the organization of document circulation, the organization of the work of the accounting service, the organization of horizontal (with other structural divisions) and vertical (with governing bodies and personnel) interaction of the accounting service.The company is developing an accounting policy in accordance with tax code RF for tax purposes. In accordance with the law, all enterprises must fix the accounting policy with an administrative document (order of the head of the organization). The accounting policy should fix the mandatory minimum of selected accounting methods, which is necessary to determine the assets and liabilities of the organization, as well as to calculate tax base for all taxes paid.
The documents of the accounting regulatory system do not provide the latest definition of accounting methods, since the accounting policy of an organization can be set out in a voluminous document that includes several applications and regulates basically all elements of the accounting process. This allows for the most effective interaction of all parties involved in the accounting process, and to reduce the material, labor and time spent on resolving emerging issues.
The process of drawing up an accounting policy as an internal document of an enterprise includes two stages: the formation (selection and justification) and the disclosure (making public) of the accounting policy.
All organizations that have the status of a legal entity must carry out the formation of an accounting policy. The exception is credit organizations(for their implementation entrepreneurial activity), branches and representative offices of foreign organizations located in the territory
Russian Federation, which form an accounting policy, excluding the rules established in the country of location of a foreign organization, provided that these rules do not contradict international standards financial reporting.
Disclosure of accounting policies should be done only by those organizations that publish their financial statements in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, the constituent document or on their own initiative (for example, open joint stock companies whose reporting is publicly established by law).
Accounting methods: methods of grouping and evaluating the facts of economic activity, paying off the value of assets, organizing workflow, inventory, methods of using accounting accounts, systems of accounting registers, information processing and other methods (clause 2 PBU 1/08). The list set out in paragraph 2 of PBU 1/08 is used when forming an accounting policy.
There is another list of accounting methods, which is given in clause 12 of PBU 1/08. The list provided in this paragraph is mandatory at the stage of making the accounting policy public (bringing it to interested users).
When an organization adopts an accounting policy, it must issue it with the appropriate organizational and administrative documentation (orders, instructions, etc.) of the organization (clause 9 PBU 1/08).
If the type of organizational and administrative document is not defined at the enterprise, then the adoption of the accounting policy is formalized by order of the head of the organization. The order sets out all the main elements of the accounting policy. There are some elements that require detailed development, and therefore they take up a large volume, and therefore they are placed in the appendix to this order.
These applications include the following:
1) forms of primary accounting documentation not provided for by albums of forms;
2) the structure and composition of the structural unit of the organization that carry out accounting and reporting, as well as the main functions performed by this unit;3) workflow schedule, etc.
The accounting methods that the organization has chosen when forming the accounting policy are used by enterprises from January 1 of the year following the year of approval of the relevant organizational and administrative document (clause 10 PBU 1/08).
If the organization was newly created, then it draws up the chosen accounting policy before the first publication financial statements, but no later than 90 days from the date of acquisition of the rights of a legal entity ( state registration). The accounting policy adopted by the newly created organization is considered applicable from the date of acquisition of the rights of a legal entity (state registration) (clause 10 PBU 1/08).
The accounting policy of the organization is formed by the chief accountant (accountant) of the organization on the basis of PBU 1/08 and is approved by the head of the organization (clause 5 of PBU 1/08).
When forming an accounting policy, they state:
1) working chart of accounts - this document contains synthetic and analytical accounts that are necessary for accounting in accordance with the requirements of timeliness and completeness of accounting and reporting.
The working chart of accounts should contain all accounting accounts, as well as sub-accounts of all levels that the enterprise uses, and not those that are not available in the Chart of Accounts, taking into account the practice of using separate sub-accounts of the second and lower orders. When developing or updating a working chart of accounts, legislative and regulatory changes in the field of accounting and related areas should be taken into account;
2) forms of primary accounting documents - these documents serve to formalize the facts of economic activity, they do not provide for standard forms of primary accounting documents and forms of documents for internal financial statements.The organization has the right to apply primary documents, the form of which is not provided for in the albums of unified forms. This is very important during the period of accounting reform, i.e., when the albums of unified forms of primary accounting documentation do not yet cover the entire set of business operations that are carried out by accounting enterprises. Any enterprise has the right to develop own forms primary accounting documents, if there are no corresponding unified forms or individual business transactions are specific.
Forms of documents that are not included in the albums of unified forms can be used in economic and managerial activities, as well as in accounting, but they must contain the mandatory details established by law:
Title of the document;
The date the document was drawn up;
The name of the organization on behalf of which the document is drawn up;
Measures of business transactions in physical and monetary terms;
Name of the positions of persons responsible for the business transaction and the correctness of its execution;
Personal signatures of the indicated persons.
The forms of documents that the enterprise has developed independently must be approved by the accounting policy. As a rule, they are approved as part of one of the appendices to the accounting policy of the organization;
3) the procedure for conducting an inventory of the assets and liabilities of the organization.
The main purpose of the inventory is to ensure the reliability of the data
accounting and financial statements of the organization. As a result of the inventory of property and liabilities, their verification is carried out and their presence, condition and assessment are documented.
Does not exist normative document, which would determine the timing of the start and end of inventories of certain types of property and liabilities. The main thing is to conduct an inventory before compiling financial statements. The results of the inventory should reflect the state of assets and liabilities as of no earlier than three months before the end of the reporting year.
If during the current year no new types of assets or liabilities have appeared in the activities of the organization, then the timing of the inventory can be transferred from the previous similar document;
4) methods for assessing assets and liabilities.
Basic principles for valuation of assets and liabilities:
Evaluation of property and liabilities is carried out by the organization in accounting in monetary terms;
Valuation of property purchased for a fee is carried out by summing up the actual expenses incurred for its purchase;
Valuation of property received free of charge - at market value on the date of posting;
Valuation of property produced in the organization itself - at the cost of its manufacture;
Depreciation of fixed assets and intangible assets is calculated in reporting period;
5) rules for evaluating articles of financial statements.
Incomplete capital investments are reflected in the balance sheet at actual costs for the developer (investor) (clause 42 of the Accounting Regulations).
Financial investments are accepted for accounting in the amount of actual costs for the investor.
Entities are subject to separate disclosure in their accounting policies. the following items(PBU 19/02):
Methods for evaluating financial investments upon their disposal by groups (types);
Consequences of changes in the methods of valuation of financial investments upon their disposal;
The list of financial investments, according to which the current market value can be determined, and financial investments, for which the current market price not defined;
The procedure for determining the difference between the current market value for reporting date and the previous valuation of financial investments for which the current market value was determined;
The procedure for determining the difference between the initial cost and the nominal value of debt securities for which the current market value was not determined;
Cost and types valuable papers and other financial investments encumbered with a pledge;
The cost and types of securities and other financial investments that will be redeemed next year due to the expiration of the terms;
For debt securities and granted loans - data on their valuation at a discounted value, on the amount of their discounted value, on the methods of discounting used;
The method of valuation of retiring financial investments, for which the current market value is not determined (at the initial cost of each accounting unit of financial investments; at the average initial cost; by the FIFO method);
The procedure for creating a reserve for the depreciation of financial investments.
The accounting policy of the organization must necessarily reflect the choice of the method for estimating inventories when they are written off to production:
a) at the cost of each unit;
6) at the average cost;
c) at the cost of the first acquisition time material and production stocks (FIFO method);
d) at the cost of the latest acquisition of inventories (LIFO method).
The choice of one of the indicated methods by group (type) of inventories is made on the basis of the assumption of the sequence of application of the accounting policy. If for any group of stocks the valuation method changes from the new year, then it is necessary to make an appropriate recalculation (remaining inventories in the warehouse and volumes of work in progress).
Shipped goods, delivered works and rendered services are reflected in the balance sheet at actual or standard (planned) cost.
The accounting policy of the organization determines the choice of estimating the volume of work in progress. Work in progress in mass and serial production is reflected in the balance sheet:
a) according to the actual or standard (planned) production cost;
b) direct cost items;
c) at the cost of raw materials, materials and semi-finished products.
With a single production of products, work in progress is reflected in the balance sheet at the actual costs incurred.
In the accounting policy of the organization, the composition of deferred expenses, the period for their write-off, as well as the scheme for distributing such expenses between various objects should be determined.
Objects of fixed assets and intangible assets in the financial statements are reflected according to residual value(the difference between their initial cost and the amount of accrued depreciation or between the replacement cost and the amount of depreciation, adjusted by the calculation factor determined during the revaluation).
In accordance with certain provisions of PBU 17/02, the following elements must be disclosed in the accounting policy of the organization:
a) ways to write off expenses for research, development and technological work;
b) the deadlines adopted by the organization for applying the results of research, development and technological work;
6) document flow rules and accounting information processing technology.
When determining the rules for document circulation, a list of persons entitled to sign primary accounting documents should be approved. The right to approve such a list is granted exclusively to the head of the organization in agreement with the chief accountant (clause 3, article 9 of the Accounting Law).
Documents that formalize business transactions with cash are signed by the head of the organization and the chief accountant or persons authorized by them. Therefore, such documents should be defined in the accounting policy. Currently, there are unified forms of primary accounting documentation for accounting cash transactions, approved by the Decree of the State Statistics Committee of Russia dated 18.08.1908 N 88 "On approval of unified forms of primary accounting documentation for accounting for cash transactions, for accounting for inventory results" (as amended and supplemented from 03.05.2000):
a) KO-1 "Incoming cash order";
b) KO-2 "Expenditure cash order";
c) KO-3 "Journal of registration of income and expenditure cash documents»;
d) KO-4 "Cash book";
e) KO-5 "Book of accounting for funds received and issued by the cashier";
f) INV-15 “Cash Inventory Act”;
g) INV-16 "Inventory list of securities and forms of documents of strict accountability".
In addition, to reflect individual transactions, the following forms are used:
a) AO-1 "Advance report";
b) the form of a check for receiving cash from a credit institution;
c) the form of an announcement for a cash contribution.
The last two forms of documentation and the procedure for filling them out are approved by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
Financial, credit obligations and others settlement documents are invalid and are not accepted if there is no signature of the chief accountant or a person authorized by him. Financial and credit obligations are documents that draw up financial investments organizations, loan agreements, loan agreements and agreements concluded on commodity and commercial credit. Therefore, if necessary, lists of settlement documents and obligations under which the organization makes financial investments should be compiled.
In the event that there is a need to transfer the right to sign to an authorized person, then this person should also be indicated in the accounting policy (we are talking about the right to sign bank documents). In the accounting policy, you can only indicate the position by state or staffing(for example, deputy head), and not the name of the authorized official. This will avoid issues that are associated with changes in accounting policies in the event of a change in the position of employees. The responsibility of authorized persons is determined not by accounting policy, but by legislative acts.
It is important to determine the circle of persons responsible for the timely and high-quality execution of primary accounting documents, their transfer on time for reflection in accounting and the reliability of the data contained in them.
In order to organize the effective work of the accounting service, it is necessary to organize the appropriate regulation of the order and timing of the receipt of primary documents, their processing, and the compilation of consolidated documents. Consequently, important element accounting policy is the workflow schedule, that is, the direction of movement of documents and the timing of their submission to the relevant departments of the enterprise. Such a schedule is developed and approved during the creation of the organization (and the accounting service);
7) the procedure for exercising control over business transactions.
When forming the internal control system, the enterprise is guided by industry or departmental instructions, established practice, as well as the norms of other regulatory documents.
If the company has a large number of production and management units, storage facilities and storage locations, it is advisable to approve the provision on internal control(or other similar document), plan control work and other documents regulating the procedure and rules for the implementation control procedures;
8) other decisions necessary for the organization of accounting.
This section of accounting policy contains matters that are not covered in
other sections, but are necessary for the organization of accounting in the organization.
The accounting policy of the organization must necessarily contain a choice of ways to organize accounting.
In the accounting policy fix:
Choice of organizational form of accounting;
Form of accounting (system of accounting registers) - journal-order, simplified forms of accounting (for small businesses); memorial order (used, as a rule, in budget organizations, as well as state and municipal unitary enterprises), automated;
Methods for calculating depreciation, which are determined separately for fixed assets (linear method; method of writing off the value in proportion to the volume of products (works, services); method of reducing balance; method of writing off the cost by the sum of numbers of years of the term beneficial use) and for intangible assets (linear method; diminishing balance method; write-off method in proportion to the volume of products (works));
The choice of the method for determining the proceeds from the sale of products (works, services) - accrual or cash method;
The choice of method for estimating inventories;
Choice of material accounting option;
Assessment Method finished products;
Choice of the option of accounting for the release of finished products;
Choice of valuation option for goods;
Choice of a method of evaluation of work in progress;
Determining the procedure and term for writing off deferred expenses. This element can be defined either in this section of the accounting policy, or where the methods for measuring assets and liabilities are established;
Creation reserve fund(for joint-stock companies- the size of the reserve fund and the amount of annual deductions; for organizations of other legal forms - the fact of creating a fund);
Creation of a reserve for doubtful debts;
Creation of reserves for future expenses and payments;
The procedure for writing off deferred income;
The procedure for recognition of commercial and management expenses(by including these expenses in the cost of products (works, services) or by writing off the amounts of expenses incurred directly to the sales account (90 “Sales”)).
It is advisable to reflect in the accounting policy the issues of regulating the procedure for carrying out cash transactions and their documentation. Depending on the amount of information that should be included in the accounting policy, the relevant norms can either be included in the text of the administrative document (order of the head of the organization), or a separate provision can be developed that is included in the accounting policy as an application.
The following elements are subject to disclosure in an entity's accounting policy:
Permanent and temporary differences arising in the activities of the organization;
Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities.
An organization that is a party to a joint venture agreement
activities, the financial statements should disclose the following information on participation in joint activities:
The purpose of the joint activity (production of products, performance of work, provision of services, etc.) and contribution to it;
Method of deriving economic benefit or income (joint operations, jointly used assets, joint activities);
Classification of the reporting segment (operational or geographic);
The value of assets and liabilities relating to the joint venture;
The amounts of income, expenses, profit or loss relating to the joint venture.
Since the listed data groups must be formed in the process of accounting, the relevant elements should also be reflected in the accounting policy of the organization.
For all the listed groups of data, separate accounting should be organized, and, therefore, the principles of detailing and grouping information should be reflected in the accounting policy of the organization.
