01 Flashcards
What is accounting?
The process of
- recording
- summarizing
- analysing financial transactions.
The goal is to help people make economic decisions.
Why is accounting important?
- Helps in making informed decisions.
- Investors use financial reports to make investment decisions, monitor management performance, and allocate resources efficiently.
Who are stakeholders in accounting?
- Preparers: Managers
- Users: Shareholders, creditors, employees
- Auditors: Check reported information
- Regulators: Set reporting rules.
Who needs to learn accounting?
- Finance & accounting professionals
- Managers
- Entrepreneurs
- Financial analysts
Major areas of accounting
- Financial accounting
- Managerial accounting
- Auditing
- Tax
- Business analytics
What are financial statements?
Main reports used in accounting:
- Income statement
- Balance sheet
- Statement of stockholders’ equity
- Statement of cash flow
What is an income statement?
and whats the formula?
- Reports a company’s performance over a period by listing revenues and expenses.
- Net income = Revenues - Expenses.
Balance sheet definition
+ equation
- Reports a company’s financial position at a point in time, detailing assets, liabilities, and equity.
- Assets = Liabilities + Stockholders’ Equity
What are assets?
Resources expected to provide future economic benefits.
- Must be owned or controlled by the company
- Must possess measurable future benefits.
Categories of assets
- Current Assets: Expected to be used within one year
- Noncurrent Assets: Used beyond one year, listed after current assets.
Common current assets
- Cash
- Marketable securities
- Accounts receivable
- Inventory
- Prepaid expenses
Common noncurrent assets
- Long-term financial investments
- Property, plant, and equipment
- Intangible assets (patents, goodwill)
What are liabilities?
- Obligations the company owes.
- These can be current (due within a year) or noncurrent (due after a year).
Categories of liabilities
- Current liabilities: Due within one year
- Noncurrent liabilities: Due after one year.
Common current liabilities
- Accounts payable
- Accrued liabilities
- Short-term borrowings
- Deferred revenue
Common noncurrent liabilities
- Long-term debt
- Other long-term obligations like warranties, deferred taxes.
What is stockholders’ equity?
Represents owners’ capital in the company:
- Common stock
- Additional paid-in capital
- Retained earnings
- Treasury stock.
How are financial statements interlinked?
- Income Statement → Net Income affects Retained Earnings on the Balance Sheet.
- Changes in assets/liabilities affect Cash Flow Statement.