What is the purpose of the Emerging Issues Task Force statements (EITF)?

The Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) was established to address and reach consensus on accounting issues that arise in practice, particularly those that are new or unusual in nature. Its primary purpose is to consider emerging financial reporting issues and provide guidance to ensure consistency in accounting practices. By arriving at a consensus on how to account for these transactions, the EITF helps to prevent discrepancies and enhances the clarity and reliability of financial reporting.

Consensus reached by the EITF often leads to the issuance of statements that address specific issues, allowing financial statement preparers to have clear guidance on how to report transactions that may not be fully addressed by existing accounting standards. This process is vital as it supports timely resolution of issues that could affect investors, auditors, and other users of financial statements.