Chapter 1: Introduction to Accounting Flashcards
Question Bank
What is capital expenditure?
Capital expenditure relates to the acquisition of, or improvement of the earning capacity of, non-current assets
What are examples of capital expenditure?
Legal fees incurred on the purchase of a building
According to the IASB’s Conceptual Framework, what are aspects of relevance?
Nature or materiality
According to the IASB’s Conceptual Framework, which qualitative characteristics enhance the usefulness of information that is relevant and faithfully represented?
Comparability, understandability, timeliness, verifiability
Who would be interested in the financial statements of a small private company?
Company employees, the company’s bank, suppliers
In relation to the business of a sole trader, what does the government and its agencies need to be able to do?
Establish levels of tax revenue and produce national statistics
In relation to the business of a sole trader, who needs to assess whether the business will continue to exist?
The sole trader, its suppliers, customers, and employees
In relation to the business of a sole trader, who is interested in assessing the owner’s stewardship?
Only the sole trader
In relation to the business of a sole trader, who takes decisions about their investment?
Only the sole trader
Where is information about an entity’s financial position primarily provided in?
The statement of financial position
According to the IASB’s Conceptual Framework, what can help users identify the reporting entity’s financial strengths and weaknesses?
Information on the economic resources it controls and the entity’s claims/liabilities
According to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, what are the objectives of financial statements?
- To show the results of management’s stewardship of the resources entrusted to it
- To provide information about the financial position, financial performance and cash flows of an entity that is useful to a wide range of users in making economic decisions
According to the IASB’s Conceptual Framework, when is financial information capable of making a difference in decisions?
When it has predictive and confirmatory value
Which accounting principle tends to understate asset values and overstate profits in times of rising prices?
The historical cost convention
In times of rising prices, what effect does the use of the historical cost concept have on a company’s asset values and profit?
Asset values understated and profit overstated: profit will be overstated due to depreciation based on understated assets, and cost of sales based on understated inventory
In accordance with IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, how is fair presentation described?
The financial statements are reliable in that they reflect the effects of transactions, other events, and conditions
In accordance with IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, how is the going concern concept in accounting described?
The directors do not intend to liquidate the entity or to cease trading in the foreseeable future
When does a specific disclosure requirement of an IAS need not be satisfied?
If the information is material
According to the IASB’s Conceptual Framework, when is financial information useful?
When it is either relevant or faithfully represented
What does materiality mean?
That only items having a physical existence may be recognised as assets
According to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, what does compliance with International Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards normally ensure?
That the entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows are presented fairly
According to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, when are omissions or misstatements of items material?
If they could, individually or collectively, influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements.
What are fundamental principles of the IESBA Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants?
Integrity, objectivity, and confidentiality
Who does the ICAEW Code of Ethics apply to?
The ICAEW’s members, employees of ICAEW member firms, and ICAEW students
Describe ethical guidance in the UK
Ethical guidance is a framework containing a combination of rules and principles, the application of which is dependent on the professional judgement of the accountant based on the specific circumstances
Define sole trader
People who work for themselves and own their business
Define partnership
Partnerships occur when two or more people decide to share the risks and rewards of a business together
Define limited liability company
LLCs are incorporated to take advantage of ‘limited liability’ for their owners (shareholders); they are only responsible for the amount to be paid for their shares
What financial information do managers and directors need about a company?
Managers and directors need information about the company’s present and future financial situation, which enables them to manage the business efficiently and to make effective decisions about matters such as pricing, output, employment, and financing
What financial information do owners of a company need about the company? (5)
- Owners of a company want to assess management performance
- They provide capital for the company so are interested in the risk to their capital and the return they will get for taking that risk
- They need information to help them determine whether they should buy, hold, or sell shares
- They want to know how profitable the company’s operations are and how much profit is available for distribution to shareholders through a dividend
- The value of their investment in the company is affected by the company’s profitability
What financial information do suppliers need about a company?
Suppliers want to know about the company’s ability to pay its debts
Trade creditors are likely to be interested in an entity over a shorter period than lenders, unless they are dependent upon the continuation of the entity as a major customer
What financial information do customers need about a company?
Customers need to know that the company is a secure source of supply, so that repeat purchases and after-sales care will be available
What financial information do finance providers need about a company?
A bank wants to ensure that the company is able to keep up loan payments.
What financial information do HM Revenue and Customs need about a company?
HMRC want to know about business profits in order to assess the company’s tax liabilities
What financial information do employees need about a company?
Employees and their representative groups need information about the stability and profitability of their employers, so they can assess the entity’s ability to provide remuneration, retirement benefits, and employment opportunities