Financial Accounting Theory continues to orient the coverage of accounting standards to those of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). As in previous editions, some coverage of major U.S. accounting standards is also included. While the text discussion concentrates on relating standards to the theoretical framework of the book, the coverage provides students with exposure to the main features of the standards themselves.

Despite its theoretical orientation, the book does not ignore the institutional structure of financial accounting and standard-setting. It features considerable coverage and critical evaluation of financial accounting standards and regulations, such as fair value accounting, financial instruments, reserve recognition accounting, management discussion and analysis, employee stock options, impairment tests, hedge accounting, derecognition, consolidation, and comprehensive income. The structure of standard-setting bodies is also described, and the role of structure in helping to engineer the consent necessary for a successful standard is evaluated.