AICPA Welcomes Congressional Effort to Enhance Funding and Independence of Federal Government’s Accounting Standard-Setter 

Published May 20, 2014

Washington, D.C. (May 20, 2014) – The following is a statement by Barry C. Melancon, CPA, CGMA, president and CEO of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), regarding the introduction of the Federal Financial Statement Transparency Act of 2014, H.R. 4678, in the U.S. House of Representatives:

“The AICPA strongly supports the Federal Financial Statement Transparency Act of 2014, and specifically its goal of reinforcing the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board’s (FASAB) status as an independent entity. The measure is a meaningful step toward ensuring FASAB has adequate resources to carry out its mission and address important accounting principles for the federal government.

Since our 1999 designation of FASAB as the accounting standard-setting body for federal entities under Rule 203 of the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct, there have been many improvements made by FASAB to ensure its independence. Importantly, H.R. 4678’s establishment of a sustainable funding mechanism for FASAB enhances the criterion of human and financial resources that is considered integral to its independence.

As a CPA, Representative Jim Renacci (R-Ohio) recognizes the importance of enhancing FASAB’s funding and governance. He, Representative John Carney (D-Del.) and the bill’s other co-sponsors are to be commended for their leadership on this issue.

We welcome the introduction of this legislation and hope that in tandem with our ‘What’s at Stake?’ initiative – which provides a clear analysis of the federal government’s financial statements – it will elevate the dialogue about the nation’s fiscal health.”