Introduction to Accounting
The accounting field is the process of recording, summarizing, and analyzing the financial transactions of a business. It is an essential part of any business as it helps to keep track of the financial health of the business. In this article, we will discuss the basics of accounting, the types of accounting, and the importance of accounting principles for businesses.
Types of Accounting
There are two types of accounting: financial accounting and managerial accounting.
Financial Accounting
Financial accounting is the process of recording, summarizing, and presenting financial information to external stakeholders such as investors, creditors, and regulators. The financial statements prepared under financial accounting are the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.
The balance sheet provides a snapshot of a company’s financial position at a specific point in time. It shows the company’s assets, liabilities, and equity.
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The income statement shows a company’s revenue and expenses over a period of time. It is also known as the profit and loss statement.
The cash flow statement shows the cash inflows and outflows of a company over a period of time. It helps to determine the company’s ability to generate cash and meet its financial obligations.
Managerial Accounting
Managerial accounting is the process of providing financial information to internal stakeholders such as managers and employees to help them make informed decisions. It focuses on the internal workings of a company and helps in planning, decision-making, and controlling.
Importance of Accounting field
Accounting is essential for businesses for the following reasons:
Helps in Decision Making
Accounting provides financial information that helps in making informed decisions. For example, a company can use financial information to decide whether to invest in new equipment or not.
Facilitates Compliance
Accounting courses help businesses to comply with legal and regulatory requirements. For example, a company needs to prepare financial statements to comply with tax laws and regulations.
Facilitates Monitoring of Performance
Accounting helps businesses to monitor their performance and identify areas where they need to improve. For example, a company can use financial information to determine whether it is generating enough revenue to cover its expenses.
Helps in Securing Financing
Banks and other financial institutions require businesses to provide financial information before they can lend money. Accounting provides this information and helps businesses to secure financing.
Helps in Valuing the Business
The accounting field provides financial information that is used to value a business. For example, investors use financial information to determine the value of a company’s stock.
Basic Accounting Principles
There are several accounting principles that businesses need to follow. These principles ensure that financial information is accurate, reliable, and consistent.
Accrual Basis of Accounting
Under the accrual basis of accounting, revenues, and expenses are recognized when they are earned or incurred, regardless of when the cash is received or paid.
Going Concerned
The going concern principle assumes that a business will continue to operate indefinitely. This principle is important when valuing a business as it assumes that the business will generate future cash flows.
Historical Cost
Under the historical cost principle, assets are recorded at their cost when they were acquired. This principle ensures that financial information is reliable and consistent.
Matching Principle
So, the matching principle requires that expenses be matched with the revenue they generate. Because this principle ensures that expenses are recognized in the same period as the revenue they generate.
Materiality
Now, the materiality principle states that only significant information needs to be reported. So, this principle ensures that financial statements are not cluttered with unnecessary information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, accounting is an essential part of any business. It helps businesses to make informed decisions, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, monitor performance, secure financing, and value the business. There are two types of accounting: financial accounting and managerial accounting.