Basic Business and Accounting Flashcards
Define Business Ethics
The principles and standards that define acceptable conduct in business
Define Social responsibility
A businesses obligation to maximize its positive impact and minimize its negative impact on society
Define Ethical Issue
An identifiable problem or situation that requires that a person choose from several actions that may be evaluated as ethically right or wrong
Define loyalty
Employer and employee are mutually loyal to each other
Define veracity
Business is conducted in a truthful manner
Define Defined Benefit Pension
Starts a retirement and provides typically a monthly amount of money, amount of which is determined through a formula based on numerous factors (length of employment)
Cannot be “out-lived”
Define Defined-contribution programs
401-K or Cash Balance Plans
On a monthly basis, employers and employees make a defined amount contribution to a plan that is managed by an insurance company
NO guaranteed income
Veracity was replaced with
Profits at all costs
Most common ethical problems?
Lying
Withholding vital information that could impact a management decision
Abusive/intimidating behavior
Four Categories of ethical issues?
Conflict of interest
Decision maker fairness and honesty
Deceptive communications
Deceptive business relationships
Define conflict of interest
problem occur when a person has to choose whether to advance their own personal interest or those of others
Define Deceptive communication
False or misleading advertising or personnel using deceptive selling techniques eventually anger customers (loss of money)
Define Deceptive business relationship
When the company suppliers do not buy into the corporate standard of ethical behavior and engage in behaviors that will eventually impact the services or products provided by the company
Ethical or Unethical choice in business =
Individual employee standards and values +
Managers and coworkers influences +
Ethical codes and compliance requirements
4 dimensions of the nature of social responsibility
An economic dimension
A legal dimension
An ethical dimension
A voluntary and philanthropic dimension
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Mandate the establishment of confidential systems so employees could raise issues of possible unethical accounting practices
Holds CEO and chief financial officer responsible for accuracy
Define Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Rules created so that the same set of procedures are used each time to report transactions and create financial statements
Define Business Entity Concept
Business is treated separately from owner’s personal financials
Define Cost Principle
All goods and services purchased by the business are recorded in the financial statements at actual cost even if the owner thinks they are worth more
Define Continuing Concern Concept
Business is established to remain operating using its assets to contiue operation
Define Objectivity principle
Amounts used in recording transactions must be supported by objective evidence such as invoices
Define Stable dollar concept
We record transactions at the value of the dollar at the time of the transaction and we do not worry about appreciation or depreciation of the buying powder of the dollar
Define Conservatism
Requires that sufficient attention be given to risks taken by the organization and anticipate possible financial losses
Define Matching
Attempt to put expenses into the same accounting period as the revenues that caused the expenses to be generated
**Define Accrual Basis
Need for operating and income statements and cash flow statements
Record revenues when they are INCURRED
We asign the revenues/expenses to the accounting period in which they were earned and with the expenses that helped generate them
**Define Cash Basis
Revenue is reported on the financial statement when it is actually RECEIVED
- Used when business do not know what they will be getting paid
Define Sole Propietorship
One owner
Has to transfer funds or create more net income to increase equity
No legal status and doesn’t exist legally
How do you end a sole proprietorship?
Pay off any debts and end it
Bob Smith is the sole owner of Bob Smith Pharmacy and it is listed at the county court house as a sole proprietorship. If Bob should suddenly die, does the business exist by law?
No
Advantages to Sole Proprietorship?
No formal federal requirements for establishing the business
Owner has complete freedom to establish operating policies, controls and use of money
Personal incentive to do well
Federal taxes are only those required of the owner as an individual
Disadvantages to Sole Proprietorship?
Unlimited personal liability
Ability to acquire a start-up and on-going capital is limited
Define Common Law
Body of law developed by custom or judicial decision sin US courts
Define Statutory law
Body of that develops from legislatures enacting new statutes
Local ordinances
Define Federal law
Apply to all states whereas state statutes only apply within the state’s borders
Define Uniform law
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws draft model laws for the states to adopt
Define Uniform Partnership Act
Adopted by all states except one and is a model to use whenever two or more individuals wish to establish a partnership
**Define General Partnership
Governed by common law and statutory law
Voluntary agreement between an “aggregate of people:
Formed by a lawyer
NO LEGAL STANDING
Define Agency
Relationship between two parties in which one party (agent) agrees to represent or act for the other party (principal)
Define Partnership via the UPA
An association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owner’s of a business for profit
Partner cannot become a partner without being invited
Define Aggregate Theory
Property and other assets held by individuals
Lawsuits brought against partners NOT business
Define Entity Theory
Business name can enter into agreements
Assets owned by the business- not affected if a partner leaves