...Accounting: Accrual versus Cash Zachary Ingwaldson ACC 290 October 14, 2012 Tamyra Ford Accrual vs. Cash Accounting departments are responsible for the documentation and upkeep of transactions that pertain to business needs, development, and sustainability. Businesses such as non-profit, small, and large corporations may use different platforms to perform the transaction accountability necessary. Most notably, many profitable businesses use either the accrual bases or cash bases with a preference for the accrual. The following will describe the two recording statements mentioned and the differences between them. Examples of company preference regarding the accrual method will also be examined. Cash Basis Accounting The cash basis of accounting is generally used for companies that document transactions when cash is received for a good or service already performed. Likewise, a transaction is not documented as a liability or credit until the bill or payable expense is complete. However, according to the book Financial Accounting: Tools for Decision Making, the cash basis of accounting is generally “prohibited under generally accepted accounting principles because it does not record revenue when earned” (Kimmel, Weygandt, & Kieso, 2009, p. 164). This practice does not reflect expenses incurred which is also a violation of the matching principle. An example of cash basis accounting is completing a...
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...Part I. A. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. GAAP is not a fixed set of rules. It is a guideline or more precisely a group of objectives and concepts that have evolved over 500 years from the basic concepts of Luca Pacioli set forth in the 1400s. It governs how financial statements are prepared and presented in the United States. The Financial Accounting Standards Boards (FASB), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) provide guidance about acceptable accounting practices. Some of the reasons we use GAAP are that any business that expects anyone from outside their company to look at their financial data needs to use GAAP. Compliance with GAAP helps maintain creditability with creditors and stockholders because it reassures outsiders that a company's financial reports accurately portray their financial position. Additionally anyone who reads your financial statements will automatically assume they are prepared and comply with GAAP. Another reason to use GAAP is that banks and finance companies often require their clients to use GAAP or have audited financial statements. It would be cheaper in the long run to prepare statements using GAAP than pay someone to audit them all the time. Additionally investors who are accustomed to using financial information prepared according to GAAP might balk if your statements don't meet their expectations, which could lead to unhappy investors ultimately leading to a loss...
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...Differences of Accrual and Cash Basis Cesar Roldan ACC/290 3/9/2014 Walter A. Corrigan Introduction Accounting and bookkeeping is part of the foundation to any business, small or large, family business or public corporation, accounting is necessary. Before invemtory takes place, before any transations are processed the business must determine what basis suits the business better, the accrual basis or the cash basis. Deciding what basis to use is simple after understanding their functions and how it can influence the business bookkeeping. One of the main differences between these two basis is the timing of when transactions are recorded, in accrual basis the transaction or revenue is recorded at the time the transaction is made whether there was any cash payment involved or not. In cash basis transactions are recorded only when payment is final, or when cash is paid out. “For example: Let's say you own a business that sells machinery. If you sell $5,000 worth of machinery, under the cash method, that amount is not recorded in the books until the customer hands you the money or you receive the check. Under the accrual method, the $5000 is recorded as revenue immediately when the sale is made, even if you receive the money a few days or weeks later. The same thing occurs for expenses. If you get an electric bill for $1700, under the cash method, the amount is not added to the books until you actually pay the bill. However, under the accrual method, the $1700 is recorded...
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...between Cash and Accrual Accounting: The cash basis of accounting, simply as the name suggests, records financial information on the basis of the actual cash movement. Revenues to be recognized when cash received and expenses to be recognized when cash paid out. Cash basis is normally adapted by small businesses mainly traders as it is quite easy, straightforward and can easily be set up and maintained without following a lot of complex accounting rules. Care must be taken when using financial statements prepared under the cash basis as it is not completely accurate e.g cash outflows due to purchases of fixed assets would only affect the period they are recorded in though they are to be used over a certain period of time, concepts such as depreciation are used under the accrual system to overcome such disruptions. The accruals basis of accounting which is a more sophisticated method recognizes revenues when “earned” and expenses recorded when “incurred” regardless of the cash movements relating to each. For e.g. in the case of a service business providing a service will recognize its revenue once the job is completed even if the customer hasn’t cleared the dues yet. Same approach is used for the expenses, recorded when incurred not when paid. Accrual accounting method improves the reported information by presenting a more realistic and accurate view of the underlying operations primarily matching reported income with reported expenses in a specific period. When cash basis can...
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...Cash Basis Accounting vs. Accrual Basis Accounting ACC/290 January 28, 2013 Paulette Schirmer Cash Basis Accounting vs. Accrual Basis Accounting When a business opens its doors it needs to decide which accounting method to use to keep their financial records. The two accounting methods are the cash basis and the accrual basis. Both methods can be used, but the company should choose which method would be a good fit for their company. Cash basis accounting method is strictly cash in, cash out basis. This means that financial transactions are recorded only when money is given or paid (Kimmel, Weygant, & Kieso, 2009). Cash basis is used mostly by small business where owners want a simple way of understanding their financial statement just to see if there is a profit or loss in the company. The income and expense is more accurate (“Cash Basis”, 2004-2013). In the accrual basis accounting method income is reported in the period it is earned, regardless of when it is received, and expenses are recorded when they have incurred even if it were paid (Kimmel, Weygant, & Kieso, 2009). According to Entrepreneur Media, Inc. (2013), the accrual method requires a business’s annual sales be over $5million and its venture be structured as a corporation. Also businesses with inventory is to use the accrual basis as well, and it is highly recommended to use the accrual basis if the business sells or pays on credit. Cash basis will always see income when the money is received...
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...CASH BASIS, MODIFIED CASH BASIS AND ACCRUAL BASIS OF ACCOUNTING Accrual Basis 1. The effects of transactions and other events on the accounts of a business are recognized and reported as they occur regardless of when cash is received or paid. 2. Revenues are recognized and reported when earned regardless of when cash is received. 3. Expenses are normally recognized in the period when it is incurred. 4. Requires recognition of accruals (accrued revenues and expenses) and deferrals (prepaid expenses and unearned income). 5. It attempts to better match revenues and expenses in determining the net income for an accounting period. 6. Adjustments are necessary at the end of the accounting period to update certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Pure Cash Basis 1. The effects of transactions and other events on the accounts of a business are recognized and reported only in the period when cash is actually received or paid. 2. Revenues are recognized in the period when cash is received irrespective of when earned. 3. Expenses are recognized in the period when cash is paid irrespective of when incurred. 4. There is no need to recognize accruals and deferrals since these items do no involve cash neither receipts nor payments. 5. Receivables are not taken up. 6. Values of inventories are ignored. 7. Property assets are treated as expenses 8. It does not give a good picture of profitability because net income is materially distorted. 9. It is straightforward...
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...The two main methods of recording accounting transactions are cash basis accounting and accrual basis accounting. Each method has both advantages and disadvantages. However, only one method is approved by GAAP. Cash basis accounting is the method in which cash receipts and cash payments are recorded during the period in which they occur (Spiceland et. al., p. 7). Under the cash basis accounting method, the revenue is recognized when the cash is received and the expense is recognized when the cash is disbursed. In addition, there is no inventory account under the cash basis method. Goods and materials purchased for sale are recorded as direct costs in the period that payment is made for those goods and materials (Berry). Cash basis accounting is a simple and inexpensive method to implement and utilize. It also provides an accurate representation of cash flow. Additionally, the cash basis method provides the opportunity to "defer taxable income by delaying billing so that payment is not received in the current year.Cash basis accounting does not comply with two important accounting principles: the revenue recognition principle and the matching principle. Since the cash basis technique does not recognize receivables or payables, it is not an accurate method of measuring profit (Nelson). Accrual basis accounting is the method in which revenue is recognized when earned, and expenses are recognized when incurred. Additional accounts must be created to record the difference between...
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...Cash vs. accrual: Is there a difference in recognizing transactions? ACC205: Principles of Accounting I Professor Student Name Date Cash vs. accrual: Is there a difference in recognizing transactions? Cash and accrual based accounting are two ways use to record revenue or expense transactions. However, there is a difference in recognizing cash and accrual accounting transactions. Moreover, in cash basis accounting, a transaction is recognized when the money changes hands. Therefore, cash receipts are treated as revenue and payments are treated as an expense. However, in accrual basis accounting, it records the effect of each transaction as it occurs. Revenues are recorded when they are earned and expenses are recorded when occur. Furthermore, in accrual accounting it does not matter when the money is received for the sale or when the expense was paid. Therefore, A business that keeps its financial records ("books") on the cash basis (or method) records revenue when received and expenses when paid. Its simple, and the income statements reflect the true cash inflow and outflow of the business. The downside is the financials may not truly reflect the value created or lost, at least not when it's created or lost. Accrual accounting is quite different. It basically ignores when the cash actually goes in and out. Revenue is booked when its earned, and expenses are booked when the liability is incurred...
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...Accrual and Cash Accounting ACC 290 The biggest difference between accrual and cash basis accounting is the timing in which the revenues or expenses are recognized. Cash basis accounting is used mostly by small businesses or personal finances. The cash basis method accounts for revenue only when money is received or expenses only when money is paid out. For example, when you balance your checkbook, you only enter your paycheck when it is deposited into the bank, and when you write a check to pay a bill, you subtract that sum from your account. The accrual accounting method accounts for revenue when it is earned and for expenses, goods and services when they are performed. Revenue is recognized even if no cash has been received or, in the case of an expense, that has been incurred, no cash has been paid out, and it is the most common method used by businesses today. Let’s say you sell $10,000 worth of goods, under the cash basis method the amount id not entered in to the books until the money has been collected or a check is received. With the accrual accounting method, the $10,000 is recorded as revenue as soon as the sale is made. This is the same for expenses. If you get an electric bill for $1,500, using the cach basis method, it is not entered in to the books until the bill is paid. Under the accrual accounting method, it is entered as an expense as soon as it is received. (Morah, C. 2009) Accountants use the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to guide...
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...Accrual vs. Cash Basis Accounting XXXXXXXXXX ACC290 XXXXX, XX, XXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX Introduction In business, there are many different forms and standards to accounting. These standards are governed by rules, laws, regulations and accurate accountability of a particular business account. There are some general differences between general and commercial basis accounting principles, also differences between accrual and cash basis accounting. Those differences will be looked at here. General and Commercial Basis Accounting Principles According to Wikipedia.com, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) refer to the standard framework of guidelines for financial accounting used in any given jurisdiction; generally known as accounting standards or standard accounting practice. These include the standards, conventions, and rules that accountants follow in recording and summarizing and in the preparation of financial statements. Hubpages.com discusses commercial accounting, also known as profit accounting, defining that it performs primarily by profit and loss. The reporting for a profit organization is directed to the investors. ("The Principles Of Commercial Accounting And Fund Accounting", 2011). Accrual vs. Cash Basis Accounting According to the readings, accrual basis accounting is defined as in which companies record, in the periods in which the events occur, transactions that change a company's financial statements, even if cash was not exchanged. In other words...
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...million What were Brandywine’s 2007 net income, total profit margin, and cash flow? Net income is the residual income of a firm after adding total revenue and gains and subtracting all expenses and losses for the reporting period. Net income can be distributed among holders of common stock as a dividend or heal by the firm as an addition to retained earnings. As the profit and earnings used income, net earnings, and net profit for net income. However, net income called the bottom line because it’s typically found on last line of the company income statement. One of the most important concepts to understand is that net income is not a measure of how much cash a company earned during a given period. Revenues-expenses= net income $12,000,000 - $7.7 million = $4.3 million (net income) Total profit margin tells how profit a company makes for evaluation dollar generates in revenues. It is the percentage of revenue that a company keeps as profit after accounting for fixed and variable costs. It is calculated by dividing net income by revenue. Net income/total revenue=total profit margin $7.7 million/$12,000,000=$4.3 million Cash flow is the movement of cash into a business. It is usually measured during a specific time. Measurement of cash flow can be used for on a company’s value. It refers to the total of all flows involved or a subunit of the flows. There are three activities in cash flow and they...
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...$100,000 and Liabilities are $27,000 by showing the Accounting Equation (10 points) and (2) provide an explanation of what accounts could be found in owners' equity. (10 points) (TCO 1) The financial statements present a company to the public in financial terms. (1) Which financial statement identifies where cash was generated and where it was spent during the year (10 points) and (2) identify the three major parts of this statement. (10 points) (TCO 1) The accounting profession follows a set of guidelines for measurement and disclosure of financial information called the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). (1) Explain what the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are (10 points) and (2) provide an example of its application. (10 points) (TCO 2) Transaction analysis results in the development of a journal entry. Supplies are purchased on account agreeing to pay $500 within 30 days. (1) Name the accounts impacted and how using the format account name/debit or credit/dollar amount (10 points) and (2) explain how the Accounting Equation is impacted. (10 points) (TCO 3) Adjusting Entries are required at the end of the period to ensure that accrual accounting principles are applied. At the beginning of the month $1,350 of office supplies were purchased. There was not a beginning balance and the one purchase was the only one for the month. At the end of the month $500 of supplies remained. Develop the adjusting entry. (1) Name the accounts impacted and...
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...Accrual vs. Cash Thomas Warren Brow 2 October, 2014 HSM/260 Sara Stevens In cash accounting you only show transactions that are cash in or cash out transactions, and for a non-profit agency that does not show enough. The accrual method shows all transactions whether they are cash, credit, insurance, or check. In this system it keeps all monies out in the open, and stops any hidden monies from appearing out of nowhere and shows all monies and what is being done with them and how they are generated. The accrual takes the steps necessary to ensure that the agency has a clear and accurate account of any spending the agency does. In the accrual system you taken into account and record any revenue when the transaction occurs or a deal is made even in the event that there is no cash received, and more often than not the revenue and cash will not equal each other when this method is used. If the method of payment is cash when the service is rendered than it will be recorded the same, but if it is a credit payment that makes your revenue go up but your cash is the same then this is a case where the revenue and cash do not equal each other. ("Does Revenue Equal Cash In An Accrual System?", 2014) It is vital because statement of cash flow is the last document that is done for the finances and gives a flow of information which adds validity and accountability to financial records of the company. All people who fund an agency use these records to see what they are funding and...
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...Hurdle: Accrual vs. Cash Nuts & Bolts: Two types of accounting system: • Accrual accounting • Cash accounting Concept Smart: Accrual accounting measure a company's profit or loss by subtracting the expenses incurred from the revenues earned. The two words “incurred” and “earned” are quite important to understand. Under this accounting practice, revenues are recorded into the financial records as soon as the services are performed or goods are delivered, no matter whether the payment is received from the clients or not. If you have “earned” it, you better record it. On the other hand, based on the matching principle, expenses are entered into the financial system to the extent; they are utilised in order to generate the recognised revenue as above. No matter whether the payment has been made or not, if you have “incurred” it, you need to book it. It is slightly complicated and requires time and money to implement it. However, it tells the real financial situation of the company and shows to the owners the overall profitability of its operation. Cash accounting method has a completely different viewpoint. It states that revenues to be recorded when cash is “received” from customers, no matter when the service is performed or goods delivered. On the other hand, expenses need to be booked when cash is actually “paid," no matter when it is incurred. This method is easy to understand and consumes fewer resources. It paints an accurate picture of the cash appetite...
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...Direct Vs. Indirect Cash Flow Method A company reports revenues and expenses on its income statement. Since most companies use accrual accounting, the income statement reveals little about cash flowing into and out of the business. To provide an understanding of cash flows, companies turn to the cash flow statement, which includes a section that restates income on a cash basis. You can choose between the direct and indirect methods to report operational cash flow. Cash Flow Statement The statement of cash flows contains sections for three sets of activities: operating, investing and financing. Only the operations section deals with the question of direct versus indirect cash flows. By comparing the operations section with the income statement, you can identify the differences in timing between income and cash collections. Comparison also reveals timing differences between expenses and cash payments. Large differences might indicate that the company is very aggressive in recognizing income, or that the company spends a lot of cash to buy or maintain assets, a fact not apparent from the income statement. Direct Method When using the direct method, you list cash flows in the operations section of the cash flow statement. Cash flows due to operations arise from customer collections and cash paid to suppliers, employees and others. The section also reports cash paid for income tax and interest. The problem in trying to use the direct method is that a company might not keep the...
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