Which principle guides the valuation of many transactions and events in accounting?

The historical cost principle is fundamental to accounting as it dictates that assets should be recorded and reported at their original purchase price, which is a reliable and verifiable figure. This principle provides consistency and objectivity in financial reporting because it anchors the value of the asset to a specific transaction that took place in the past, rather than relying on subjective estimations of current market conditions.

By using the historical cost approach, financial statements reflect the costs that were incurred to acquire assets, thus ensuring that all stakeholders have a clear and factual basis for understanding the financial position of a company. This principle is integral because it helps maintain stability in financial reporting by avoiding fluctuations that may arise from market value changes, which can be volatile and less reliable.

Other principles, while important in their contexts, do not focus on the actual recorded cost of transactions. For instance, the fair value principle may provide a more current estimation of an asset's worth but isn't the primary guiding principle for the valuation of transactions. Similarly, the going concern principle pertains to the assumption that a business will continue to operate indefinitely, and the revenue recognition principle concerns when and how revenues are recognized, rather than the valuation of transactions themselves.