Management specifies objectives relating to the preparation of financial statements, including disclosures, and identifies significant financial statement accounts based on the risk of material omission and misstatement (which includes consideration of materiality). Management identifies for each account and disclosure relevant assertions, underlying transactions and events, and processes supporting these financial statement accounts. The entity uses financial statement assertions relevant to its financial statement accounts and disclosures.

As part of its risk assessment, the management of A-Middle Equipment, a 900-person manufacturer of heavy-duty transmission equipment, uses the following financial reporting assertions:

A-Middle's management considers the level of materiality when reviewing the company's activities and interim reports and determining whether all significant risks and accounts have been captured. This information is used as a guideline in focusing on detailed risks within each financial statement line item and disclosure. Further, management also considers non-financial disclosures reported in the company's 10-K. This approach is illustrated on the following page.

Management specifies a high-level financial reporting objective that forms the basis for all other sub-objectives. In specifying objectives, management has documented objectives that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Management, as part of internal control, assesses whether the objectives are consistent with accounting principles that are relevant for that entity and appropriate in the circumstances.

Management and the board of directors of H2O To Go, a bottled water company, set as the entity's broad external financial reporting objective to prepare reliable financial statements in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Management subsequently specified the suitable financial reporting objectives and sub-objectives for all significant accounts and activities of H2O To Go's worldwide business, including sales, purchasing, and treasury. These objectives and sub-objectives include accounting policies, financial statement assertions, and qualitative characteristics relating to its accounts and activities. For instance, management has specified objectives relating to:

Annually, finance management reviews these objectives and sub-objectives for ongoing relevance and suitability with respect to the company's accounts and activities. Where changes are expected to occur—for instance, the adoption of a newly published accounting standard or guidance or new commercial event or trend—appropriate management communicates the need to reconsider these objectives to those responsible for the objective-setting process.

The management of Valley Services, a supplier of high-end home theatre systems, set as the entity's broad financial reporting objective to prepare reliable financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This objective was cascaded into various areas of Valley Services business, including sales.

Within the sales process, management accepts deposits from one frequent customer, Hall Electronics, which relate to the purchase of several home theater systems. Valley Services sets aside the theater systems in its inventory until Hall Electronics requests delivery, usually within thirty days. Valley Service must either refund to Hall Electronics the cash or provide a replacement home theater system if a system is damaged or lost prior to delivery.

Management had previously established a policy where revenue was recognized upon payment for goods, regardless of whether the goods were delivered. In assessing the suitability of the objectives specified for financial reporting, the controller, Alex Robertson, determined that this policy may not be in accordance with IFRS. Consequently, he requested senior management to review this policy in conjunction with the objective-setting process. In addition, he advised the internal audit group, which then monitored the resolution of this matter.

Management assesses materiality of significant accounts, considering both quantitative and qualitative factors. In conducting this assessment, management may consider factors such as:

The management of Bottomer Holdings, a private owner and renter of residential apartments, recently installed coin-operated laundry facilities in several of its buildings. A contractor installed and maintains the machines and will be paid a monthly amount plus a percentage of revenue earned through laundry services.

Looking at this new source of potential revenue relative to the income statement, Bottomer Holdings considered the effect on its total revenues and net income and has now concluded that the laundry revenue is expected to generate $150,000 to $200,000 of revenue per year.

Management has considered the overall materiality of this account using the quantitative measure of $500,000. Management also considered other qualitative factors and determined that this new source of income would:

Based on the assessment, management has concluded that the new source of income is not material to the overall financial statement presentation. Accordingly, in specifying its external reporting objectives, management has incorporated this new source of revenue into its overall revenue objectives as determined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles but has not set out new, unique objectives for laundry-related revenue.

Management reviews publications from professional bodies for updates in accounting pronouncements relevant to the business. Periodically, management presents to the audit committee an analysis of changes released or emerging issues that may significantly impact financial reporting and notes any significant differences from accounting policies of similar entities. For entities that have multiple reporting obligations, such as statutory reporting in international locations, management assesses the requirements relative to the respective divisions or operating units.

Celia Mendez is the controller of a $100 million biotechnology company. She reviews its accounting principles by considering:

Management discusses significant accounting policies with the audit committee on an annual basis.

The management of Middle Ocean Inc., an $800 million industrial products company, regularly reviews the publications from professional bodies for updates in accounting pronouncements relevant to its business. The controller, Sandy Wong, and the CFO, Fred Jazbowski, also subscribe to and review periodic email updates on standards that may be of interest. Each quarter Ms. Wong presents to the company's audit and disclosure committees, which consist of key management members, her analysis of any changes that will immediately impact financial reporting, and any emerging issues that may impact financial reporting in the future. As part of her standard procedures and before any change is implemented, Ms. Wong also communicates to these two committees what impact any updated or new standard will have on the company's financial statements, systems, and processes.

Fred DeQuincy is the local controller of an international subsidiary of a multi-billion-dollar consumer products company. In his annual reviews of the accounting principles used for statutory reporting, Mr. DeQuincy considers the following:

Once he has completed his review, Mr. DeQuincy communicates the differences and the rationale for selection to the corporate controller.

Management, with the oversight of the audit committee, considers the range of the entity's activities to assess whether all material activities are appropriately captured in the financial statements. Management considers whether the presentation and disclosure of the financial statements enable the intended users to understand these material transactions and events.

Build Free Co. produces large-building products. The management of Build Free reviews its financial statements on a quarterly basis. The purpose is twofold:

In addition, the audit committee discusses with management how any significant activities that it is aware of will be included in the financial statements.