Capital Markets and Financial Regulations Quiz

Questions and Answers

Which type of securities are bought and sold in a capital market?

Equity-backed securities

Who oversees capital markets to protect investors against fraud?

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

What is the main purpose of capital markets?

To channel the wealth of savers to long-term investments

In the United States, how can any American citizen buy bonds in the primary market?

By creating an account with TreasuryDirect Signup and view all the answers

Who can access capital markets?

Both entities within the financial sector and the general public Signup and view all the answers

What are Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)?

GAAP are standards that encompass the details, complexities, and legalities of business and corporate accounting. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in relation to GAAP?

The FASB uses GAAP as the foundation for its comprehensive set of approved accounting methods and practices. Signup and view all the answers

Which businesses are required to follow GAAP guidelines when releasing financial statements to the public?

Businesses releasing financial statements to the public and companies publicly traded on stock exchanges and indices are required to follow GAAP guidelines. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of GAAP compliance?

GAAP compliance makes the financial reporting process transparent and standardizes assumptions, terminology, definitions, and methods. Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of GAAP standards in terms of comparing financial statements?

External parties can easily compare financial statements issued by GAAP-compliant entities and safely assume consistency, which allows for quick and accurate cross-company comparisons. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

What are GAAP?

GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) are standards that cover the details, complexities, and legalities of business and corporate accounting.

GAAP and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) uses GAAP as the foundation for its comprehensive set of approved accounting methods and practices.

Importance of GAAP in the US

US law requires businesses releasing financial statements to the public and companies publicly traded on stock exchanges and indices to follow GAAP guidelines.

Key Concepts of GAAP

GAAP incorporates 10 concepts.

Benefits of GAAP Compliance

GAAP compliance makes the financial reporting process transparent.
GAAP compliance standardizes assumptions, terminology, definitions, and methods.
External parties can easily compare financial statements issued by GAAP-compliant entities.
GAAP compliance allows for quick and accurate cross-company comparisons due to consistency.
GAAP standards deliver transparency and consistency.