CPAExcel Flashcards
What is the role of the Financial Accounting Advisory Council (FASAC)?
The FASAC provides guidance on major policy issues, project priorities, and formation of task forces.
What topics does the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification not include?
- Other comprehensive basis of accounting;
- Cash basis;
- Income tax basis;
- Regulatory accounting principles.
How are assets presented on the balance sheet?
Assets are presented in order of decreasing liquidity. The most liquid assets (such as cash) are shown first, and less liquid assets are shown last (such as property, plant and equipment).
What is the highest structure of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification?
The highest structure is areas.
What is Verifiability?
Information is verifiable if different knowledgeable and independent observers can reach similar conclusions.
What does it mean to be free from material error?
Information is free from material error if it is accurate and truthful.
What is the concept of capital maintenance?
Capital is said to be maintained when the firm has positive earnings for the year, assuming no charges in price levels.
What does the matching principle state?
Recognize expenses only when expenditures help to produce revenues.
Define cost effectiveness.
This constraint on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) limits recognition and disclosure if the cost of providing the information exceeds its benefit.
What is Conservatism?
Conservatism (also called prudence) is the reporting of less optimistic amounts (lower income, net assets) under conditions of uncertainty of when Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) provides a choice from among recognition or measurement methods.
For purposes of the fair value definition, what are the assumed characteristics of market participants?
Buyers and sellers that are:
- Independent of the reporting entity;
- Acting in their economic best interest;
- Knowledgeable of the asset of liability and the transaction involved;
- Able and willing, but not compelled, to transact for the asset or liability.
What are the three valuation techniques (or approaches) that should be used in determining fair value for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles purposes?
- Market approach;
- Income approach;
- Cost approach.
List the situations where the entry price may not be the exit price.
- The transaction if between related parties;
- The transaction occurs when the seller is under duress;
- The unit of account included in the transaction price is different from the unit of account that would be used to measure at fair value;
- The market in which the transaction price occurred is different from the market in which the asset would be sold for the liability transferred.
What are the three levels of the fair value hierarchy and what does each consist of?
Level 1: highest level, are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for assets and liabilities identical to those being valued.
Level 2: are observable for assets or liabilities, either directly of indirectly, other than quoted prices described in Level 1.
Level 3: lowest level, are unobservable and used to determine fair value only if observable inputs are not available.
Distinguish between assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and nonrecurring basis.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on recurring basis are adjusted to fair value period after period. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on the nonrecurring basis are adjusted to fair value at the time of a particular event (e.g., significant modification of debt).
What significant fair value disclosures are required only in annual statements?
The methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value.
What is the third objective of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation?
To take into account the special needs of a range of sizes and types of entities in diverse economic settings.
Is IFRS more rules based or principle based?
Principle based.
True or False: Income may be realized or unrealized.
True.
Does the Securities and exchange Commission (SEC) have legal authority to prescribe accounting standards to public companies?
Yes, it has that authority.
Define “Financial Reporting Releases (FRR)”
Formal pronouncements that rank the highest in authority for public companies.
Does the Sarbanes-Oxley Act allow auditors to complete non-audit services for clients?
No, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act does not allow this.
How are current assets listed on the balance sheet?
Declining order of liquidity.
What are the steps of the accounting cycle?
(1) Analyze source documents, (2) Post to ledger, (3) Make adjusting entries, (4)Prepare trial balance, (5) prepare income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements, (6) Close temporary accounts.
What do control accounts report?
The aggregate balance of several subsidiary accounts.
What is the order of income statement presentation?
- Income from Continuing operations;
- Income from Discontinued Operations (net of tax);3. Extraordinary Items (net of tax);
- Net Income.
Define gains.
Increases in equity or net assets from peripheral or incidental transactions.
Are extraordinary items allowed in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)?
No, extraordinary items are not allowed.
What is net income plus or minus other components of comprehensive income?
Comprehensive income.
How are accounts listed in the vertical format?
They are listed in separate columns.
What is the indirect method on the statement of cash flows?
Reconciles net income to cash flows from operating activities.
When is a Statement of Cash Flows required?
For all business enterprises that report both financial position (Balance Sheet) and results of operations (Income Statement) for a period.
Where are non-cash investing and financing activities reported?
They are reported on the face of the Statement of Cash Flows or as a separate disclosure.
what is the cash flow category of principal payments on short-term and long-term loans (from financial institutions or dealers) made to acquire plant assets?
The category is Financing.
Using indirect method for reporting cash flows from operations, should a decrease in inventory be added to or subtracted from accrual based net income?
A decrease in inventory should be added.
Using the indirect method for reporting cash flows from operation, should a decrease in unearned revenue be added to or subtracted form accrual based net income?
A decrease in unearned revenue should be subtracted.
What is a development stage enterprise?
An enterprise placing substantially all its efforts into establishment of new business.
What is financial statement ratio analysis?
The development of quantitative relationships between various elements of a firm’s financial statements.
List the debt to equity ratio formula.
Total Liabilities / Total Shareholder’s Equity.
List the common stock yield formula.
Dividend per Common Share / Market Price per Common Share.
What are the mandatory exceptions for retrospective application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)?
Derecognition of financial assets and liabilities; hedge accounting; assets held for sale and discontinued operations; certain aspect of accounting for non-controlling interest, and use of certain estimates.
When does the “first reporting date” happen?
The year-end date for the period for which International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is first applied.
Describe a modified cash basis of accounting.
A modified cash basis of accounting results from adjustments made to cash basis accounting. Specifically, while most items continue to be accounted for using the cash basis, some items are accounted for using the accrual basis. As a consequence, the financial statements reflect accounts and amounts based on a combination of the cash basis and the accrual basis.
Identify some bases of accounting that are not an “other comprehensive basis of accounting.”
- Accounting based on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);
- Accounting based on the unique provisions of a loan agreement;
- Accounting based on the unique provisions of a acquisition agreement.
Describe special-purpose financial presentation that may be consistent of inconsistent with GAAP.
~Financial statements presented on a prescribed basis resulting in a incomplete presentation, but otherwise consistent with GAAP; or
~Financial statements prepared on a basis of accounting prescribed in an agreement, not in conformity with GAAP or other comprehensive basis of accounting.
Identify the statements included in a set of personal financial statements.
A set of person financial statements would include:
- A statement of financial condition (balance sheet);
- A statement of changes in net worth.
How should a significant interest in a separate business be shown in a person statement of financial condition?
As a single line item at the estimated current fair value of the net assets, separate from other assets.
In what order should liabilities be shown in a personal statement of financial condition?
In order of maturity, with no distinction as to current/non-current classifications.
What are the various types of generally accepted accounting principles which may be used by a U.S. entity?
Depending on the entity, the following types of generally accepted accounting principles may be used:
- U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);
- U.S. Other Comprehensive Basis Accounting (OCBOA);
- International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS);
- IFRS for Small and Medium-sized Entities (SMEs).
Identify some of the possible advantages of using IFRS for SMEs, instead of U.S. GAAP, by eligible entities.
- More relevant standards;
- Less complicated and voluminous standards;
- Less costly standards to implement;
- Less frequent changes in standards.
What other name is used for customer accounts receivable?
Trade Receivable.
What do we call the (1) marker and (2) holder of a note?
(1) Marker is the buyer or borrower.
(2) the holder is the seller of lender.
Describe a transaction without recourse.
Transferor is not responsible for nonpayment on the part of the maker of the receivable.
What is the accounting treatment when factoring with recourse, as accounted for as a loan?
The transferor maintains the receivables on its books and records a loan and interest expense over the term of the agreement.
When does loan impairment occur?
When the creditor believes the loan payments actually to be received have a lower fair value than under the original agreement.
What merchandise is included in ending inventory?
All owned inventory, regardless of location.
List the weighted average cost per unit formula.
Cost of goods available for sale/number of units available for sale.
What cost flow assumption is the same for both the periodic and perpetual systems?
First In First Out (FIFO).
What is the main reason for using Last In First Out (LIFO) in periods of rising costs?
Tax minimization.
Why would an entity utilize Dollar Valued (DV) last In First Out (LIFO)?
Reduces the effort of the LIFO Liquidation.
How is the cost of ending inventory determined?
Determined by applying on of the four cost flow assumptions.
List the margin on Cost formula.
(Sales-Cost of Goods Sold) / Cost of Goods Sold.
What are Net Markdowns?
A net decrease in the original selling price.
What is the cost/retail numerator?
Net purchases at cost.
List the basis inventory equation.
Beginning inventory + net purchases = ending inventory + cost of goods sold.
What is the required accounting for a potential loss on a Purchase Commitment when the commitment can be modified?
The loss is required to be footnoted as a contingent liability, but is not accrued in the accounts because the loss is not probable given that the contract can be revised.
Under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), is Inventory reported at lower cost or market or at lower of cost net realizable value?
Lower of cost or net realizable value.
List the requirements for inclusion in plant assets.
~Currently used in operations;
~Have a useful life extending beyond one year;
~Have a physical substance.
List the general rules on costs to capitalize.
~Cash equivalent price;
~get ready costs.
How is the cash equivalent price in the issuance of securities determined?
In fair value of assets acquired or of securities issued, whichever can be most clearly determined.
When are unpaid construction input costs included in Average Accumulated Expenditures (AAE)?
Not until cash is paid.
If Average Accumulated expenditures (AAE) > total interest bearing debt, what is interest expense for the period?
All interest cost is capitalized and there is no reported interest expense for the period.
How do we calculate depreciation based on service hours?
~Depreciation rate X service hours used;
~Depreciation rate = (Cost-salvage value) / estimated hours.
What depreciation method does not use salvage value?
Double declining balance.
What costs are included in the full costing method for exploration costs?
All costs of exploring for the resource are capitalized to the natural resources account.
What happens during the reset method?
Accumulated depreciation is reset to zero by closing it to the building account, and then the building is adjusted for the revaluation.
Identify the three possible levels of influence over an investee for accounting purposes.
- Not significant;
- Significant influence, but not control; and
- Control.
At what cost are held-to-maturity securities carried and reported?
At amortized cost.
How do we account for the transfer of an investment from held-for-trading to held-to-maturity or available-for-sale?
- Credit Trading at recorded fair value;
- Debit held-to-maturity or available-for-sale at current fair value;
- Recognize unrealized holding gain/ loss in net income.
What are the categories of investments under International Financial reporting Standards (IFRS) No. 9?
Under IFRS No. 9 two categories of investments (and other financial assets) include:
- Debt investments measured at amortized cost;
- All other investments, including debt instruments not at amortized cost and all equity investments.
Identify the three major equity method items recognized each period by an investor.
- Recognize investor’s share of investee’s net income/loss;
- Recognize investor’s share of investee’s dividends declared;
- Recognize adjustments to share of investee’s net income/loss for “depreciation/amortization” of amount allocated to excess of fair value over book value.
List the journal entry for a Investor to recognize proportionate share of investee income using the Equity method.
DR: Investment in X
CR: Investment (equity) revenue
In what forms may a joint venture be established?
- By agreement or contract alone;
- As a corporation;
- as a partnership;
- as an undivided interest entity.
What are the Acceptable methods (models) for measuring and reporting investment property?
The cost method (model) and the fair value method (model). An entity may use only one of these methods to measure and report all of its investment property.
List the types of intangibles
Marketing related, Customer Related, Artistic related, contract related, technology related, Goodwill.
Provide examples of the class of assets can you carry at fair market value under IFRS?
Property, plant, and equipment; identifiable intangible assets; financial assets including investments and financial instruments.
What do liabilities represent?
Represent outsider claims to firm’s assets or are enforceable claims for services to be rendered by the firm.
Define sales taxes payable.
Account recognized for sales tax collected from customers.
How is the change in the deferred revenue account calculated for a period?
Cash received during period less revenue earned for the period.