Premium Essay

Financial Statements - Purpose of Accounting

In:

Submitted By skgentis
Words 1063
Pages 5
Financial statements

Financial Statements - Purpose of Accounting
ACC 280
May 17, 2011
Carol Harker

Financial Statements - Purpose of Accounting
Every business has a need to generate profit and remain in the black. In today’s business world, it is important to have the means to track and monitor the gain or increase of income and profits within the organization. According to Weygandt, “Accounting can be defined as activity that is used to identify, record, and communicate the economic events of a business.” (Weygandt. 2008.) Included in the report we will discuss the purpose of accounting and identify the four basic types of financial statements that are used. Finally we will discuss how the core financial statements of accounting are connected to each other and their uses for all stakeholders in a company.
The purpose of accounting is to keep track of economic events for a business. “Accountants are primarily employed to track the flow of money through an organization” (QuickMBA, 2010). Good accounting practices make it easy to keep track of finances for any type of business. “Keeping an accurate balance sheet is a fundamental part of running even the most basic of an organization” (QuickMBA, 2010). Activities such as sales, purchases, and any interest earned from investments are classified as economic and posted to a specified account record. Accountants have a code of ethics that they must adhere to ensure integrity in the reporting process. The use of an accounting system for a business will reduce risk of non-compliance with Federal laws and help limit the amount of errors in a business decision. Precise accounting serves the interests of the business over the long-term. Inaccurate accounting can destroy a business by destroying the investors trust in the company. An erroneous balance sheet can be a significant issue that will affect the business’s

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Literature Review

...From my first accounting class to the last accounting class, one thing I learned how important financial statements are in accounting. All the accounting professors put so important on financial statements because one of their objective is to make sure students are well familiar with financial statement before graduating. Financial Accounting is the procedure of delivering data to the outsiders in a special report call financial statement. Accounting field uses financial statements to give data about money related position and execution to different business groups. Financial statements are used by Managers, Investors, Suppliers, Customers, Competitors, and Governments to stay with the track about fund and settling on economic choices. Financial statements covered organization two important reports, which are Balance Sheet and Income Statements. Balance sheet and income statement are important for accounting field to put yearly or month to month financial statements. Financial statements utilizes language of fundamental accounting, currency, and numbers. Financial statements of a business are used to give data about the status of the business. In accounting field financial statements give the information of organizations to mangers or other companies. To settle on all around informed choices, invested individuals must have the capacity to accept that an organization's financial statements are an accurate representation of its performance. According to the article Objectives...

Words: 1358 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Accounting for Government

...Introduction to Accounting and Financial Reporting for Governmental and Not-for-Profit Entities True / False Questions 1. Special purpose governments generally provide a wider range of services to their residents than do general purpose governments. True False 2. Examples of general purpose governments include cities, towns, and public schools that receive tax revenue to finance the services they provide. True False 3. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is the body authorized to establish accounting principles for all state and local governments, both general purpose and special purpose. True False 4. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is the body authorized to establish accounting principles for all government entities. True False 5. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is the body authorized to establish accounting principles for all colleges and universities and health care entities. True False 6. Neither governmental nor not-for-profit entities have residual equity that can be distributed to owners. True False 7. A characteristic common to governmental and not-for-profit organizations is that they do not exist to provide goods or services at a profit or profit equivalent. True False 8. The needs of users of government financial reports are the same as those of users of business entity financial reports. True False 9. The Federal Accounting Standards...

Words: 6249 - Pages: 25

Premium Essay

Financial Statements

...Financial Statements Leslie Johnson January 31, 2010 ACC/280 Principles of Accounting Accounting is a systematic proocess that identifies, records, and communicates the economic events of an organization to interested users (Weygandt, 2008). The financial information gathered is used to determine a company’s financial status and provide reports and insights needed to make sound financial decisions. The purpose of accounting is to provide economic financial information for investor, creditors, and other external users. Accounting identifies and records all activities that effect the organization financially. Accounting is a means of communicating the numbers. The three basic activities in accounting identify, records, and communicate the economic events of an organization to interested users (Weygandt, 2008). One example of an economic event is telephone service is provided by Verizon. Once the company has identified the economic event, it is recorded in order to provide a history of the organizations financial activities. The accounting process includes the bookkeeping function that usually involves only the recording of economic events (Weygandt, 2008). Collectively, accounting involves the entire process of recording, identifying, and communicating economic events. Management uses accounting information in planning, controlling, and evaluating business operations. Other groups that use accounting information are tax authorities, regulatory...

Words: 1525 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Acc Ass

...Question 1(i) Main purposes of Conceptual Framework Document The Conceptual Framework explains the main objectives as well as the concepts that underlie financial accounting and reporting. The Conceptual Framework creates the concepts that are useful in developing International Accounting Standards and other documents that provide guidance on information included in general purpose financial statements. It standardizes the development and revision of accounting standards. However, the framework does not override the accounting standards in this case. The main purpose of financial accounting and reporting is basically the foundation of the Conceptual Framework. The Conceptual Framework document generally explains the concepts that underlie the preparation and presentation of financial statements for external users such as the investors, creditors, government and so on in order to help them to make wise decision. Secondly, it also support the development of future accounting standards and also minimizes the basis for alternative accounting treatments by creating the rules that should be followed in preparing financial information. Thirdly, it can also help preparers and auditors of financial information in dealing with issues that are not the subject matter of an accounting standard for any transactions, events, conditions or circumstances. Lastly, it aids national standard setting bodies in developing national accounting standards. It also prevents the accountancy profession...

Words: 1680 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Accounting Cycle Paper

...Accounting Cycle Paper ACC/421 Accounting Cycle Paper In this paper I will outline the purpose of both accounting and financial reporting within an organization in general. I will also give a description of the people, processes, and systems that are a part of the accounting and financial reporting processes followed by a conclusion. Purpose of Accounting The purpose of accounting to gather and report on any financial information within the organization about things such as: the performance of the company, their financial position, and the cash flows of the company. With this information the company can then make business decisions about management of their business, investments to be made, or money they can lend. All of this information is known as the accounting records and accounting transactions and recorded as invoices for either suppliers or customers of the company. Once the financial information has been added to the accounting records it is all put together into financial statements to include the following: income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows, statement of retained earnings, and any disclosures. Purpose of Financial Reporting Documents, or the financial reports, are gathered in order to keep track of money going in or going out. Essentially, there is a record of how much money your business is making or losing. Anyone investing in the business has the right to know how their money is being used and can know this by looking at the financial...

Words: 741 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Latest Fasb Standards

...Statement No. 168; The FASB Accounting Standards Codification® and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162 This standard was issued in June 2009, and would be effective for financial statements recorded for fiscal periods ending after 15th Sept. 2009. The aim of the statement is the replacement of FASB Statement No. 162 as the authoritative source of U.S generally accepted accounting principles for nongovernmental entities. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and statement releases, however, remained the authoritative accounting standard for all SEC registrants. Accordingly, the statement superseded all pre-existing accounting non-SEC financial accounting and reporting practices. In essence, the Accounting Standards Codification became the GAAP. Some common sources of unauthorized accounting literature include FASB Concept Statements, IFRS of IASB, AICPA Issue Papers, Accounting textbooks, etc. The acceptance of nonauthoritative accounting literature would be determined on a case-to-case basis, depending on the appropriateness of the scenario and the credibility of the author of the accounting literature used. This standard also provides that the FASB board shall issue Accounting Standards Updates and abolish the issuance of Statements, FASB Staff Positions, or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts when need arises to address emerging accounting issues. However, these updates shall not be regarded independently...

Words: 1171 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Abcdefghijklmnop

...BUS5AFS ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE VALUE CREATION Topic 2: Principles of Accounting Semester 1, 2014 ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE VALUE CREATION TOPIC 2: PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING La Trobe Business School BUS5AFS: Topic 2 – Principles of  Accounting 1 Topic Learning Outcomes 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Discuss the nature and purpose of accounting. Explain the five basic financial elements of a business. Explain the underlying concepts of recognising and measuring the financial elements. List the four basic financial statements used in business decision making. List the basic tools for analysing financial statements. BUS5AFS: Topic 2 – Principles of  Accounting 2 La Trobe Business School Prescribed reading Hill, G. and Martin, T. Principles of Accounting and Finance Pearson Australia, 2014 Chapter 2 La Trobe Business School BUS5AFS: Topic 2 – Principles of  Accounting 3 1.1 Discuss the nature and purpose of accounting. PURPOSE OF ACCOUNTING …….. to provide information to permit informed judgments and decisions regarding the allocation of resources, managing & directing those resources, custodianship (stewardship) & mandatory requirements …….. La Trobe Business School BUS5AFS: Topic 2 – Principles of Accounting 4 ACCOUNTING VALUE ADDS • • • • • • Improve quality and reduce costs Improve sharing knowledge Improve supply chain Improve efficiency and effectiveness Improve internal control Improve decision...

Words: 1247 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Shared Based Payments

...MEMORANDUM TO: Senior Accounting FROM: Staff Accountant DATE: June 29, 2015 SUBJECT: Shared-Based Payment Reporting and Special Purpose Entities (SPE) CC: Team members ______________________________________________________________________________ As an Accounting Firm it is very important that we follow the most recently changed or amended regulations and standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). As of 2009 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has made amendments to Shared-Based Payment Reporting and Special Purpose Entities. The amendments made were to Statements No. 123 and 95 which covers the Share-Based Payments and Statements No. 123 and 95; the FASB. Also revised, Statements No. 166 and 167 which pertains to Special Purpose Entities (SPE). Share-Based Payment Reporting In the process of an audit, it is important to review the accounting process in terms of how share-based payment is reported to Sensure the entity processes are in line with Generally Accepted Accounting Policies (GAAP). Share-based payment is a complex area to both report on and audit as almost every transaction is unique and referencing IFRS No.2 for the purpose of the audit is not always clearly defined. Defined, share-based payment is an arrangement in which an entity purchases goods or services in exchange for issuance of the entity’s equity instruments or cash payments based on the fair value of those equity instruments. IFRS No.2 has two defined...

Words: 936 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Learn to Learn

...Statement of Accounting Concepts SAC 3 (8/90) Qualitative Characteristics of Financial Information Prepared by the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board of the Australian Accounting Research Foundation and the Accounting Standards Review Board Issued by the Australian Accounting Research Foundation on behalf of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants and The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and by the Accounting Standards Review Board The Australian Accounting Research Foundation was established by the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants and The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and undertakes a range of technical and research activities on behalf of the accounting profession as a whole. A major responsibility of the Foundation is the development of Statements of Accounting Concepts and Accounting Standards. The Public Sector Accounting Standards Board is one of the boards of the Foundation. The Accounting Standards Review Board was established by the Ministerial Council for Companies and Securities. It has responsibility for the development of Approved Accounting Standards for application by companies, and for the development of Statements of Accounting Concepts and Australian Accounting Standards. Copies of this Statement are available for purchase from the offices of the Australian Accounting Research Foundation, 211 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield, Victoria 3162, Australia...

Words: 4386 - Pages: 18

Premium Essay

Principles of Accounting

...Principles of Accounting Good accounting practices are vital in running any business operation fluidly. In business, accounting is used to make critical decisions. It is the numbers. It is always about the numbers, and good, strong accounting skills are needed to understand and interpret these numbers. The purpose of this paper is to define the purpose of accounting, identify the four basic financial statements, and explain how they are interrelated and whom they are useful to. Accounting “Accounting is an information system that identifies, records, and communicates the economic events of an organization to interested users” (Weygandt, Kimmel, & Kieso, 2008, p. 4). Economic events are accounting transactions that a company identifies and records to communicate this information to interested parties. For example, Apple computers first identifies that a computer sale is an economic event relevant to its company. An example of an economic event to Apple computers is selling an Apple iPod. When this transaction takes place, it is recorded in a systematic manner to create a chronological diary of events (Weygandt, Kimmel, & Kieso, 2008, p. 21). Four Financial Statements There are four different and interrelated basic financial statements that companies prepare from summarized accounting data. The first statement is the income statement. The income statement presents the net income (when revenues exceed expenses) or net loss (when expenses exceed revenues) of a company based...

Words: 919 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Acct2542

...Testbank to accompany Company Accounting 10e by Ken Leo, Jeffrey Knapp, Sue McGowan & John Sweeting Prepared by Peter Baxter [pic] © John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 2015 Chapter 1: Nature and regulation of companies Multiple-choice questions 1. The advantages of a company over a partnership and sole trader do not include which of the following? a. Members are able to sell their shares at any time to another person without having to obtain permission from the other members. b. Members are liable for only a limited amount of the company’s debts. c. A company has a legal existence distinct from its owners. *d. A company is only entitled to raise small amounts of cash by issuing shares. Correct answer: d Learning Objective 1.1 ~ summarise the nature and attributes of a company 2. In Australia, the Corporations Act 2001 is administered by the: a. Australian Securities Exchange. b. Australian Accounting Research Foundation. *c. Australian Securities and Investments Commission. d. Securities and Exchange Commission. Correct answer: c Learning Objective 1.1 ~ summarise the nature and attributes of a company 3. The two main types of companies permitted to be registered under the Corporations Act 2001 are a: a. private company, and a proprietary company. b. public company, and a trade union. *c. proprietary company, and a public company. d. proprietary company, and a partnership...

Words: 4004 - Pages: 17

Free Essay

Accounting 501

...CHAPTER 1 Financial Accounting and Accounting Standards ASSIGNMENT CLASSIFICATION TABLE Topics 1. 2. 3. Subject matter of accounting. Environment of accounting. Role of principles, objectives, standards, and accounting theory. Historical development of accounting standards. Authoritative pronouncements and standards-setting bodies. Questions 1 2, 3, 4 5, 6, 7, 8 Cases 1 3, 4 2, 4 4. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 5, 17 5. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 28 29 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 6. 7. 8. Role of pressure groups. International accounting. Ethical issues. 9, 18, 19 15 14 1-1 ASSIGNMENT CHARACTERISTICS TABLE Item C1-1 C1-2 C1-3 C1-4 C1-5 C1-6 C1-7 C1-8 C1-9 C1-10 C1-11 C1-12 C1-13 C1-14 C1-15 C1-16 C1-17 C1-18 C1-19 Description Financial accounting. Objectives of financial reporting. Accounting numbers and the environment. Need for accounting standards. AICPA’s role in standards setting. FASB role in standards setting. Government role in standards setting. Meaning of generally accepted accounting principles. Politicalization of standards setting. Models for setting accounting standards. Standards-setting terminology. Accounting organizations and documents issued. Accounting pronouncements. Issues involving standards setting. Securities and Exchange Commission. Standards-setting process. History of standards-setting organizations. Economic Consequences. Standards-setting process, economic consequences. Level of Difficulty...

Words: 11425 - Pages: 46

Premium Essay

Acc 300 Entire Course

...4. Given Data SS2-1 5. Coached Problem 2-1 6. Given Data CP2-1 7. Problem A 2-1 8. Given Data PA 2-1   ACC 300 week 2 dqs. What are the different bases of accounting? When would you use the cash basis? Accrual basis? Tax basis? Which one is better? Why? What are the financial statements? What does each one tell you? Which financial statement is more important? Why? How are the financial statements related? Why do these relationships exist? What is the impact of a miscalculation in the income statement on other financial statements? ACC 300 Week 3 – Individual Assignment Part I. In the work ACC 300 Week 3 Individual Assignment Part I you will find overview of the following parts: 1. Cash Basis – Income Statement 2. Accrual Basis – Income Statement ACC 300 Week 3 – Individual Assignment Part II. In this file ACC 300 Week 3 Individual Assignment Part II you will find overview of the following tables: 1. Income Statement 2. Statement of changes in Stockholders’ Equity 3. Expense recognition principle 4. Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2002 5. Statement of Cash Flows ACC 300 Week 3 – Individual Assignment Part III. In the work ACC 300 Week 3 Individual Assignment Part III you will find overview of the following tables: 1. Cash Basis – Income Statement 2. Statement of...

Words: 1163 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Acc 300 Entire Course

...with Spreadsheets 2-1 Given Data SS2-1 Coached Problem 2-1 Given Data CP2-1 Problem A 2-1 Given Data PA 2-1 ACC 300 week 2 dqs. What are the different bases of accounting? When would you use the cash basis? Accrual basis? Tax basis? Which one is better? Why? What are the financial statements? What does each one tell you? Which financial statement is more important? Why? How are the financial statements related? Why do these relationships exist? What is the impact of a miscalculation in the income statement on other financial statements? ACC 300 Week 3 – Individual Assignment Part I. In the work ACC 300 Week 3 Individual Assignment Part I you will find overview of the following parts: Cash Basis – Income Statement Accrual Basis – Income Statement ACC 300 Week 3 – Individual Assignment Part II. In this file ACC 300 Week 3 Individual Assignment Part II you will find overview of the following tables: 1. Income Statement 2. Statement of changes in Stockholders’ Equity 3. Expense recognition principle 4. Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2002 5. Statement of Cash Flows ACC 300 Week 3 – Individual Assignment Part III. In the work ACC 300 Week 3 Individual Assignment Part III you will find overview of the following tables: Cash Basis – Income Statement Statement of...

Words: 1188 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Account

...Indian Accounting Standards: Scope, Procedure and Compliance by Puneet Accounting Advertisements: Formation of the Accounting Standards Board: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, recognizing the need to harmonies the diverse accounting policies and practices at present in use in India, constituted an Accounting Standards Board (ASB) on 21st April, 1977. Scope and Functions of Accounting Standards Board: The main function of ASB is to formulate accounting standards so that such standards may be established by the Council of the Institute in India. While formulating the accounting standards, ASB will take into consideration the applicable laws, customs, usages and business environment. The Institute is one of the Members of the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) and has agreed to support the objectives of IASC. While formulating the Accounting Standards, ASB will give due consideration to International Accounting Standards, issued by IASC and try to integrate them, to the extent possible, in the light of the conditions and practices prevailing in India. The Accounting Standards will be issued under the authority of the Council. ASB has also been entrusted with the responsibility of propagating the Accounting Standards and of persuading the concerned parties to adopt them in the preparation and presentation of financial statements. ASB will issue guidance notes on the Accounting Standards and give clarifications on issues arising there from...

Words: 1362 - Pages: 6