Exam Flashcards
Define Accounting
Accounting is the systematic process of recording, summarizing, and presenting financial information to users. More simply, it is the language of business.
Transaction
An economic event is recorded in chronological order to provide a complete record of all the activities of a business.
Account
A record that shows the increases and decreases of an asset, a liability,
or equity (which includes revenues and expenses).
Accounting Cycle
The process of compiling and recording data for all the transactions
and select economic events that take place during an organization’s
operating period.
Accounting Equation
An equation showing that the total of all the organization’s assets
equals the sum of the organization’s liabilities and the owner’s equity.
Accounting Information System (AIS)
A system that is responsible for recording and processing financial
transactions, and for reporting their effects on the financial position
of the organization.
Accounting Standards for Private Enterprises (ASPE)
A set of standards developed by the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) that is used by most private entities for financial reporting.
Accounts Payable (A/P) days outstanding
A measure of the average number of days it takes a company to
pay its suppliers. A higher number of days could be indicative of
difficulty making payments.
Accounts Payable (A/P) turnover
A measure of how quickly accounts payable are paid; that is, how many times, on average, payables are paid during the year. In general, the higher the accounts payable turnover rate, the more
quickly payments are made.
Accounts Receivable
A receivable that arises out of a credit sale transaction from the
normal course of business and is typically short term and unsecured.
Accounts receivables are also known as trade accounts receivable
or trade receivables.
Accounts Receivable (A/R) turnover
A ratio that measures how quickly accounts receivable are
collected.
Accrual
An accounting entry that reflects events or transactions in the
period in which they occur, even if the cash receipts and payments
occur in different periods.
Accrual-based Accounting
Under this accounting system, events are recorded when they occur rather than when the cash flow is affected.
Accrued Expense
An expense that has been incurred but has not yet been paid or
recorded at the period end. Also known as accrued liabilities.
Accrued Revenue
Revenue that has been earned but not yet invoiced or paid
Adjusted Trial Balance
A trial balance that is prepared after the adjusting journal entries
have been recorded and posted.
Adjusting Journal Entries
Journal entries that are needed to accrue transactions in the general
journal at period end.
Aging of Accounts Method
A method used to determine a loss allowance that is calculated as
a percentage of aged accounts receivable outstanding at year end.
This is also known as the balance sheet approach.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (AFDA)
A balance sheet contra account that reduces accounts receivable
balances to their current present value of future expected cash
inflows.
Amortization
The process of expensing long-lived assets. Also known as
depreciation.
Amortized Cost
The cost of an investment, plus or minus adjustments for any
purchase discounts or premiums associated with the purchase of
the investment.
Amortized Cost (notes receivable)
The initial fair value, plus cumulative adjustments for interest, minus payments made (and any reduction for impairment).
Arrears (dividends)
Dividends on cumulative preferred shares that should be paid to
preferred shareholders in a particular year, but have not yet been declared.
Articles of Incorporation
A legal document submitted to the provincial or federal government
which establishes a business within Canada.
Asset
An economic resource controlled by the entity as a result of past
transactions and from which future economic benefits may be
obtained.
Asset Life
The estimated length of time that the asset will last.
Asset Management Ratios
Ratios that provide information about how fast cash is flowing into
or out of the organization and how efficiently the organization is
managing its asset resources.
Asset Retirement Obligation
The costs of dismantling and removing PP&E and restoring the site on which it is located.
Asset Turnover
A ratio that indicates how efficiently assets are utilized to generate
sales.
Authorization
The process of giving someone permission to do or have something.
Authorized Share Capital
Determines the classes of shares the corporation may issue, and the
maximum amount of each class of share that can be issued.
Available for Use
The asset is ready to be used for its intended purpose by the
business.
Average Accounts Receivable (A/R) Collection Period
A measure of the effectiveness of the business in collecting its
accounts receivables. It calculates an approximation of the number
of days that credit customers are taking to pay their accounts. The
average collection period is also known as the accounts receivable
days outstanding.
Bad Debt
An accounts receivable that cannot be recovered.
Bookkeeping
The recording of economic events for a business.
Financial Statements
A written report of the combined impact of a business’s financial transactions.
Users
Organizations or individuals who use financial statements and other financial information to make informed decisions. Users can be internal or external.
Internal Users
Users who work for the organization.
External Users
Users who do not work for the organization.
Financial Accounting
The process of measuring the financial performance of an organization using standard conventions to create a set of financial statements.
Management Accounting
The process of taking financial information and non-financial information from a business and using it to make short-term and strategic, long-term decisions to help the business reach its goals.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Standard conventions for preparing financial statements. In Canada, GAAP includes International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Accounting Standards for Private Enterprises (ASPE), as well as standards for not-for-profit organizations, pension plans, and government entities.
Cost Accounting
The recording and tracking of costs used in the manufacturing process.
For-profit business
A business that exists to generate profit.
Publicly Accountable Enterprise
A company that is traded on a public stock exchange.
Private Enterprise
A company that is not traded on a public stock exchange.