The Complete Accounting Guide to United States

The legal basis of accounting

Which statute imposes the duty to keep accounts, and on whom.

Frameworks in force

The reporting frameworks available and the entities that must apply each.

Books, records and evidence

What must be recorded, in what form, and what counts as supporting evidence.

The chart of accounts

Prescribed or conventional account structures and their reporting consequences.

Preparing the annual accounts

Statements required, their content and their presentation.

Filing with the registrar

Who files, what is public, in what format and by when.

Audit and assurance

Thresholds, exemptions and who may sign an opinion.

Retention and archiving

Statutory retention periods and acceptable storage media.