Written Assignment Unit 2
Accounting is “a systematic process of identifying, recording, measuring, classifying, verifying, summarizing, interpreting and communicating financial information” (Accounting, n.d.). Financial information mentioned above includes any financial transactions done by the business. There are two types of accounting. The first one is accrual accounting, which realizes transactions at the time they occur and disregards whether or not cash transaction has occurred. This method is widely used in business, because it allows transactions to be completed over time and distance. Financial statements produced by accrual accounting reflect a sophisticated trade and a much more accurate snapshot of the business’ current situation. The opposite of accrual accounting is cash accounting, in which transactions are realized only when cash payment is made or received. This is the method used in personal finance.
As accrual accounting is used by businesses to get a picture of its financial condition and guide them in making financial
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Personal financial software is capable of recording, classifying, sorting and presenting financial data. Most programs are relatively easy to use and look familiar to a manual checkbook. They also usually allow download of financial information from its source so the individual does not need to record the information manually one by one. This feature is much more convenient and minimizes human error. Besides that, personal financial software typically offers a separate report on tax and a budgeting feature which enables its user to forecast possible scenarios and determine if each scenario is viable for their financial situation or not. In conclusion, personal financial software allows more organized financial data recording and reporting. Although it cannot provide judgment as professional accountants do, these programs supply a better understanding of an individual’s financial
An accounting method wherein revenues are recognized when cash is received and expenses are recognized when paid. This method is inferior to the accrual basis of accounting where revenues are recognized when they are earned and expenses are matched to revenues or the accounting period when they are incurred (rather than paid).
Accounting is basically a service activity. Its purpose is to provide quantitative information that principally used by the managers, investors, tax authorities, and other decision makers to make the financial decisions within companies, organizations, and public agencies. Accounting is also widely known as the “language of business.” An accountant measures, communicates, and interprets financial activities. They prepare financial statements or reports for individuals, businesses, government agencies, or other non-profit organizations. They use the accounting systems to categorize the expenses and income to the typical groups. They also keep tract of the money received or paid out to see if the transactions are accurate and complete. Accountants are familiar with the computer operation. They use the computer...
Financial and Managerial accounting are used for making sound financial decisions about an organization. They provide information of past quantitative financial activities and are useful in making future economic decisions. (Albrecht, Stice, Stice, & Skousen, 2002) The same financial data is used to derive reports for each accounting process yet they differ in some ways. Financial accounting primarily provides external reports for external users such as stock holders, creditors, regulating authority and others. (Garrison, Noreen, & Brewer, 2010) On the other hand Managerial accounting is concern with providing information that deals with the internal viability of the organization and is tailored to meet the needs of an individual organization. (Albrecht, Stice, Stice, & Skousen, 2002)
Cash and Accrual Accounting are two elemental accounting methods that are essential to keep records of the expenses and income of a business (Zarandi, et al., 2013).Therefore throughout this essay I will be discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each method in order to conclude which accounting method is more useful for a business. Cash accounting is more favoured especially for small businesses whereby the income is only counted when the payment is received and the expenses are practically paid whereas the accrual accounting method accounts for revenue when the sale takes place and the expenses are counted when the goods or services are received regardless of whether the receivables are literally received or if the payments are paid (Zarandi, et al., 2013). The accrual accounting method is considered the most favourable for businesses and Zarandi, et al. (2013, p. 245) supports this by summing up their argument that the accrual system is "understandable, reliable, comparable and relevant" and argue that the accrual method has become popular in the UK and the reason is because the information gained from accrual accounting provides a full reflection of the overall impact of 'managerial actions or endeavors on future cash flows than cash flow realizations in any given period.' Hence this clearly shows that the accrual method is more effective as the results from Zarandi, et al. (2013, p. 1) research shows that overall the Accrual method is better for "managing accounting affairs compared to in comparison to the cash accounting method."
There are various techniques which managers can utilize to engage in accrual based earnings management. The basis of accrual-based earnings management is to do with managerial decisions associated with accounting principles that can alter earnings in the current or future period. Accruals created to manipulate these changes in earnings are often referred to as non-discretionary accruals. There are some techniques that allow managers of firms to encompass this method and some examples include revenue recognition, operating expense timing and unrealistic assumptions to estimate liabilities.
Accounting is the pillar of every company to measure its growth, loss, revenue , capital, its really specify the real terms in foam of figures and sometimes in tables, in accounting there are certain rules are obtained to make more accuracy while playing with figures.
Accounting in business, follows a particular process either in small scale business or large scale businesses with step by step process. Here is the straight forward procedure of accounting to know the organization current situation.
Accounting itself is a system that people has been using for thousands of years, the system records financial information about a person or business, businesses use it in order to be able to keep and track their financial accounts and other financial information in a safe and efficient way. (Brooks, 2012)
Accounting dates back as far as first centuries, is the language of business. As everything has gone through many changes, accounting has also changed many times through out the centuries. It went from the use of abacus to the most advanced softwares, and computers. With these drastic improvements nowadays accounting, financial accounting and management are facing big challenges. From the presentation of the reports to communication to the users, investors, and owners, the accounting field has gained totally a new shape from two decades ago. Today with the dynamic change in every aspect of life, the accounting field has to act fast and be able to adapt these new changes and challenges in order to survive.
Accounting is the recording of financial transactions plus storing, sorting, retrieving, summarizing, and presenting the information in various reports and analyses. All accounting or book keeping has a standard set of accounting principles. It stands for every type of business. In this way there is unity in all business accounting procedures to ensure that there is unity and a clear understanding no matter what business is being monitored. This system is called GAAP or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and are general rules that all businesses follow when recording their financial information. There is no law enforcing this, but it is to the advantage of a business to use this when reporting to the different
One of the ways to customize the work of accounting for business tasks - is to clearly define its goals, objectives and functions. In accounting staff begins to understand that business results depend on their work. The law determines goals and objectives in terms of bookkeeping in accounting, but other goals are determined and based on business objectives. For example, the provision of timely and accurate management information for decision- making is essential. On the one hand, there is the need to define and optimize the existing accounting processes, on the other hand, it is important to design and implement processes, using traditional accounting.
The accounting process refers to reporting, analyzing and summarizing transactions in order to prepare financial statements to the stockholders or creditors in order to help them to invest in an organization.
Accounting is one of the fundamentals of any business because it is a means and a key factor in achieving financial stability. The work of accountants in companies also helps identify and measure their financial wealth, which includes liquidity and profit rates. Without accounting, companies will not be able to make various decisions, Term accounting is considered to be a science based on the use of financial information. To track accounting activity in conjunction with IT resources, the accounting information system is considered the best system.
Accounting is that the systematic method of recording, storing and presenting company money knowledge. Accountants maintain advanced records
Accounting aids the government and organisations in decision making for their financial stability. This numerical data helps solve real life problems and contributes to how the economy and businesses perform.