chapter 16 Flashcards
what is accounting?
the recording, classifying, summarizing & interpreting of financial transactions & events.
what is recording?
entries are made into journals
what is classifying?
the effects of these journal entries are transferred or posted into ledgers
what are the parts to processing?
recording, classifying and summarizing
what are the inputs in the accounting system?
accounting documents
what are the outputs of the accounting system?
financial statements
what do financial reports pinpoint?
problems/opportunities
what do investors, suppliers and creditors do in accounting?
provides a means to analyze business
what does the government do in accounting?
assist with tax collection
what are the five key working areas in accounting?
- managerial accounting
- financial accounting
- compliance (auditing)
- tax accounting
- governmental & not-for-profit accounting
what is managerial accounting?
analyzing financial information to managers for the pursuit of an organization’s goals.
what is managerial accounting concerned with?
measuring & reporting costs of production & marketing, & planning & preparing budgets.
what is financial accounting?
generates information & analyses for people outside the organization.
in financial accounting where does information go to?
owners & prospective owners, creditors & lenders, employee unions, customers, suppliers, government agencies & general public.
what is an annual report?
A yearly statement of the financial condition, progress & expectations of an organization.
how do users keep more current?
Various quarterly reports (every 3 months)
are these reports required by law?
yes for shareholders of public corporations
what are private accountants?
work for a single firm, government agency, or non-profit organization.
if companies do not need a full time accountant, who do they hire?
they hire independent public accounting firms to maintain their financial records.
what is a public accountant?
An accountant who provides services to businesses on a fee basis
what is auditing?
Reviewing & evaluating records used to prepare a company’s financial statements
who are audits required for?
all public corporations in Canada whose shares are traded in a public stock exchange.
what is compliance?
Job of reviewing & evaluating records used to prepare a company’s financial statements
what is the most important function and income generator for public accounting firms?
performing independent audits (examinations) of books & financial statements of companies.
what is an independent audit?
an evaluation & unbiased opinion about accuracy of a company’s financial statements.
who requires tax returns to be submitted
Federal & provincial governments require submission of tax returns that must be filed at specific times & in a precise format.
where is tax accounting trained and what is it resposnsible for?
Tax accountant is trained in tax law & is responsible for preparing tax returns or developing tax strategies (figuring out how to pay less tax)
who are the primary users of government accounting?
citizens, special interest groups, legislative bodies & creditors, want to make sure that the gvt is fulfilling its obligations and making proper use of taxpayers money
why do not for profit organizations have a growing need for trained accountants?
since contributors to non-profits want to see exactly how & where funds they contribute are being spent.
what is a chartered accountant?
ccountant who has met examination, education & experience requirements of Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA).
what is a certfiieded management accountant?
accountant who has met examination, education & experience requirements of Society of Management Accountants of Canada.
what is a certified general accountant?
accountant who has met examination, education & experience requirements of Certified General Accountants Association of Canada.
how was the CPA formed?
formed by integration of 3 organizations: CICA, CMA- Canada & CGA-Canada.
what is the CPA designation?
an internationally recognized Canadian accounting designation.
where does the CPA designation emerge from?
Emerged from belief that Canada needed a single, unified accounting profession to unify Canadian provincial accounting bodies at the national level
what are the steps in the accounting cycle?
- analyze source documents
- record in journals
- transfer journals entries into ledger
- take a trial balance
- prepare financial statements
- analyze financial statements