Chapter 3: Accrual Accounting Flashcards
Why do accountants adjust accounts?
To properly reflect partially completed business activities.
Which type of accounting provides a better estimate of future cash flows?
- Accrual Accounting
- Cash-Basis Accounting
Accrual accounting
method of accounting in which revenue is recorded when cash is received, regardless of when it’s actually earned and an expenses is recorded when cash is paid, regardless of when it’s actually incurred
cash-basis accounting
Why do most companies NOT use cash-basis accounting?
may not reflect all assets and liabilities of a company at a a particular date
method of accounting in which revenues are generally recorded when earned and expenses are matched to the periods in which they help produce revenues (rather than when cash is paid)
accrual-basis accounting
Accrual-Basis Accounting is required by ________.
GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles)
Why is accrual accounting superior to cash-basis accounting?
It links income measurement to selling, the principal activity of a company.
Why is accrual accounting more complex than cash-basis accounting?
It records both cash and noncash transactions
When are revenues and expenses RECOGNIZED in accrual accounting?
- Revenues: when goods or services are delivered to customers
- Expenses: when they are incurred
What are the three key elements of accrual accounting?
- Time-Period Assumption
- Revenue Recognition Principle
- Expense Recognition Principle
allows companies to artificially divide their operations into time periods so they can satisfy users’ demands for information
time-period assumption
What does the revenue recognition principle state?
Revenue is recognized/recorded in the period in which a company satisfies its performance obligation, or promise within a contract.
What does the expense recognition principle state?
An expense is recorded when it is incurred, regardless of when cash is paid (key= match the expense to the revenue)
journal entries made at the end of an accounting period to record the completed portion of partially completed transactions
adjusting entries
Adjusting entries are necessary to apply what two principles?
- revenue recognition principle
- expense recognition principle
An unexpired portion of a service contract should be recorded as a _________ until the service is provided.
liability (unearned revenue)
Adjusting entries ensure that a company’s financial statements include the proper amount for what five things?
- Revenues
- Expenses
- Assets
- Liabilities
- Stockholder’s Equity
What are the two categories of adjusting entries?
Accruals and Deferrals
What are the two types of accruals?
- Accrued Revenues
- Accrued Expenses
What are accrued revenues?
Assets resulting from revenues that have been earned but for which no cash has yet been received
What are accrued expenses?
Liabilities arising from expenses that have been incurred but not yet paid in cash
What are the two types of deferrals?
- Deferred (unearned) Revenues
- Deferred (prepaid) Expenses
What are deferred (unearned) revenues?
liabilities arising from the receipt of cash for which revenue has not yet been earned
What are deferred (prepaid) expenses?
Assets arising from the payment of cash that have been used or consumed by the end of the period
All adjusting entries will effect at least one of what two things?
- At least one income statement
- At least one balance sheet account
Cash is (never/always) affected by adjustments.
never
What is the three-step procedure for making adjusting journal entries?
Step 1: Identify pairs of income statement and balance sheet accounts that require adjustment.
Step 2: Calculate the amount of the adjustment based on the amount of revenue that was earned or the amount of expense that was incurred during the accounting period.
Step 3: Record the adjusting journal entry.
previously unrecorded revenues that have been earned but for which no cash has yet been received
accrued revenues