Importance Various types of users are always interested in defining and evaluating results of business entities. There are different viewpoints on indicators of performance and principles for evaluating them. Results may be considered as a change in capital or cash, or difference between income and expense, growth in net assets, etc. It is necessary to determine how various users formed their opinion on financial performance indicators. Objectives The research aims at considering aspects and influence of accounting theories and thoughts on opinions in determining financial results, examining how foreign economists interpret it. The research also focuses on determining needs of external and internal users for assessment of various indicators used as estimates of financial results. Methods The article describes various stages the accounting theories passed, thereby forming approaches to assessing the financial result. We figure out how economic theories influence the financial result assessment methodology and overview opinions foreign authors have regarding this issue. We also define external and internal users of information about financial results. Results There is no common opinion on and approach to assessment of financial results. We can adhere to regulations governing the assessment procedure, but such financial result is not always satisfactory for users. Conclusions and Relevance As the accounting methodology evolved, 50 various approaches to assessment of financial results became available for users (per each transaction, type of activities, periods, based on various estimates and various accounting data, etc.). The contemporary theory of financial results represents a combination of ideas originating from various concepts of the economic substance of 'financial results', 'profit', and 'the correctness of the formation'.
Keywords: financial result, profit, accounting paradigm, accounting, assessment, result
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