Relevant information definition — AccountingTools (2024)

Relevant information is data that can be applied to solve a problem. This is a particular issue when determining the format and content of an entity's financial statements, since the proper layout and level of detail of information can adjust the opinions of users regarding the future direction of a business. For example, the controller of a business chooses to add information to the financial statement disclosures regarding the cash flows being generated by its newest retail stores. This information is relevant to the decisions of the investment community, because it clarifies for them how well the entity is performing.

The relevance concept can mean that an organization will strip away less-useful information from its financial reports on a regular basis and add other information. These changes are based on variations in the ongoing performance and strategic direction of a business, as well as the types of new information requests coming from lenders and investors.

Immaterial information is not considered to be relevant, since it does not have a noticeable impact on the financial performance of the reporting entity.

Relevant information definition —  AccountingTools (2024)

FAQs

Relevant information definition — AccountingTools? ›

Relevant information is data that can be applied to solve a problem.

What is relevant information in accounting? ›

Relevance refers to how helpful the information is for financial decision-making processes. For accounting information to be relevant, it must possess: Confirmatory value – Provides information about past events. Predictive value – Provides predictive power regarding possible future events.

What is relevant financial information? ›

Financial information is relevant if it is capable of making a difference in the decisions made by users of that information. Such information can make a difference if it has: predictive value. confirmatory value, or. both.

What is the meaning of relevant data? ›

Relevant data defines global variable data for the workflow process. Relevant data is used to pass data from one activity to the next by associating it with activity parameters. Relevant data can be accessed through JavaScript for use in transition conditional logic, script activities, and post-activity scripts.

What are the characteristics of relevant information? ›

Any relevant information is any information that has an influence on the choice. Please keep in mind that in order for information to be useful in making decisions, it must include costs and benefits that differ between options. It must be both relevant and reliable.

Why is relevant information important in accounting? ›

Accounting relevance is important because it can help focus financial reports and remove irrelevant data, helping people make informed decisions. The concept applies to companies considering things like new products, staffing decisions and investment choices.

What is relevant information in cost accounting? ›

Relevant cost is a managerial accounting term that describes avoidable costs that are incurred only when making specific business decisions. The concept of relevant cost is used to eliminate unnecessary data that could complicate the decision-making process.

What are relevant financial information examples? ›

Example #1

Financial statements like balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow. It proves to be a prerequisite for analyzing the business's strength, profitability, & scope for betterment.

What is relevant information examples? ›

For example, the controller of a business chooses to add information to the financial statement disclosures regarding the cash flows being generated by its newest retail stores. This information is relevant to the decisions of the investment community, because it clarifies for them how well the entity is performing.

What is example of financial information? ›

Examples of financial information are credit card numbers, credit ratings by third party credit analysis firms, financial statements, and payment histories. Anyone using financial information has a duty to keep the information secure, since it could be used by third parties to engage in identity theft.

What is an example of relevance in financial statements? ›

Examples of Relevance in Accounting

Here are several examples of how relevance is used in accounting: A company controller decides to accelerate the month-end close, so that she can issue financial statements in three days, rather than the old standard of three weeks.

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