Introduction To Financial Accounting: Key Terms and Concepts To Know
Introduction To Financial Accounting: Key Terms and Concepts To Know
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL
ACCOUNTI NG
Key Terms and Concepts to Know
Accounting Principles:
GAAP Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Business Entity, Cost, Going Concern, Monetary Unit, Objectivity, Revenue
Recognition
Accounting Equation and components:
Assets, Liabilities, Stockholders Equity
Revenue, Expense, Dividends, Stock, Retained Earnings
The accounting equation must always balance
Transactions:
External transactions occur between two different entities and are easy to record
because there are always source documents evidencing the transaction
Internal transactions occur within a single entity and are more difficult to record
because source documents my not always be present
Basic Financial Statements:
Income Statement
Statement of Retained Earnings
Balance Sheet
Statement of Cash Flows
Interrelationship among the financial statements
Profitability:
Revenues Expenses = Net Income
Net Income vs. Net Loss
Return on Assets ratio
Sales divided by average assets
Measures how well the company uses its assets to generate sales
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Average assets are used because sales are made throughout the period and the
average assets approximates the different amounts of assets used throughout the
period.
Key Topics to Know
Accounting Equation
Assets = Liabilities + Stockholders Equity
OR
Assets - Liabilities = Stockholders Equity
The equation means that:
The value of the property the company owns equals the funding sources the
company used to acquire the property.
The value of the property the company owns equals the claims of creditors to the
property plus the claims of the companys owners to the property (remember that
the claims of the creditors are satisfied first, so the owners are entitled to claim
only the remaining property.)
Stockholders Equity is also called Net Worth because it represents what the
company is worth to its owners after all liabilities have been paid.
Owners Equity is NOT a single account in the general ledger. It is a collection of
accounts, some of which add to the value of the company and others which reduce the
value of the company to its owners:
Capital stock increases Owners Equity because it is an investment of capital in the
company.
Dividends decrease Owners Equity because they are a return of assets to the
owners, reducing what the company is worth to the owners.
Revenue (or sales or fees earned) increases Owners Equity because the company
receives assets for providing its goods or services, increasing what the company is
worth to the owners.
Expenses, the costs incurred to produce revenue, reduce Owners Equity because
the company uses up or consumes assets, reducing what the company is worth to
the owners.
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Net Income is Revenue minus Expenses, also known as profit. Net Income may
be negative if Expenses exceed Revenues, when it is known as Net Loss. Net
Income increases Owners Equity whereas Net Loss reduces Owners Equity.
Retained earnings, in the simplest terms, is the accumulation of all Net Income
and Net Losses less all the dividends paid to the owners since the companys
formation.
Example #1: J ohn Smith is the sole stockholder and operator of J ust-In-Time, a
consulting firm. At the end of its accounting period, December 31, 2010, J ust-In-Time
has assets of $375,000 and liabilities of $125,000.
Required: Using the accounting equation and considering each case independently,
determine the following amounts:
a) Stockholders equity on 12/31/2010.
b) The amount and direction (increase or decrease) change in
stockholders equity if, during 2011, assets increased by $32,000
and liabilities decreased by $8,000.
c) Net income (or net loss) during 2001, assuming that as of
December 31, 2011, assets were $367,000, liabilities were
$110,000, capital stock of $40,000 was issued, and dividends of
$60,000 were paid.
Solution #1:
Assets = Liabilities + Owners Equity
a) 12/31/2010 $375,000 = $125,000 + ?
375,000 = 125,000 + 250,000
b) Change in 2011 + 32,000 = -8,000 + ?
32,000 = -8,000 + 40,000
c) Step 1: solve for change in equity
12/31/2011 $367,000 = $110,000 + $257,000
12/31/2010 375,000 = 125,000 + 250,000
Change in 2011 - $8,000 = -$15,000 + $7,000
Step 2: solve for net income
Capital stock
- Dividends +
Net
Income =
Change in
Equity
$40,000 - -60,000 + ? = $7,000
Net Income = $27,000 = 7,000 - 40,000 + 60,000
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Practice Problem #1: Sarah J ones is the sole stockholder and operator of Sarahs
Catering Company. At the end of the accounting period, December 31, 2000, Sarahs
Catering has assets of $135,000 and liabilities of $72,000.
Required: Using the accounting equation and considering each case independently,
determine the following amounts:
a) Stockholders equity on 12/31/2000.
b) The amount and direction (increase or decrease) of the periods change in
stockholders equity if, during 2001, assets decreased by $22,000 and liabilities
decreased by $7,000.
c) Net income (or net loss) during 2001, assuming that as of December 31, 2001,
assets were $148,000, liabilities were $75,000, capital stock of $25,000 was
issued and dividends of $12,000 were paid.
Effects of Transactions on the Accounting Equation
The accounting equation must always be in balance. Each transaction must also be in
balance. Transactions which cross the equal sign must either increase or decrease
both sides of the accounting equation. Transactions which are entirely on one side of
the equal sign must contain offsetting increases and decreases, such as an increase in a
liability offset by a decrease in owners equity.
Example #2: For each of the following transactions, indicate which elements of the
accounting equation are affected (minimum of 2 per transaction) and whether the
element has increased or decreased as a result.
a) Paid rent for August $3,000
b) Received cash from cash customers $7,500
c) Received cash for capital stock $15,000
d) Paid creditors on account $800
e) Received cash from customers on account $1,200
Solution #2:
a) Asset decrease Owners equity decrease
b) Asset increase Owners equity increase
c) Asset increase Owners equity increase
d) Asset decrease Liabilities decrease
e) Asset increase Asset decrease
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Practice Problem #2: For each of the following transactions, indicate which elements
of the accounting equation are affected (minimum of 2 per transaction) and whether the
affected elements have increased or decreased as a result.
a) Purchased supplies for cash, $1,200
b) Paid cash dividends, $1,000
c) Billed customers for services rendered on account, $2,800
d) Paid utilities for September, $85
e) Purchased equipment on account, $3,200
f) Received cash for services rendered, $900
g) Determined that the cost of supplies on hand was $30;
therefore, $90 of supplies had been used
h) Paid $1,000 equipment purchased in (e) above
Financial Statements
There are four basic financial statements:
Income statement
Statement of retained earnings
Balance sheet
Statement of cash flows
The financial statements are linked together in several ways:
The income statement reports net income which is used on the statement of
retained earnings
The statement of retained earnings reports the balance in retained earnings on
the balance sheet date
The balance sheet includes the balance in retained earnings as of the balance
sheet date
The statement of cash flows reports the changes in the balance sheet from one
period to the next from the perspective of how these changes affect cash, either
by providing cash or by using cash.
The accounts appear on the following financial statements:
Revenues and expenses are on the income statement
Dividends and retained earnings are on the statement of retained earnings
Assets, liabilities, stock and retained earnings are on the balance sheet
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Example #3: Indicate the financial statement on which each of the following accounts
would appear.
a) Prepaid rent
b) Cash
c) Capital stock
d) Rent expense
e) Dividends
f) Fees earned
g) Accounts payable
h) Retained earnings
Solution #3:
a) Prepaid rent balance sheet - asset
b) Cash balance sheet - asset
c) Capital stock balance sheet owners equity
d) Rent expense income statement - expense
e) Dividends retained earnings
f) Fees earned income statement - revenue
g) Accounts payable balance sheet - liabilities
h) Retained earnings statement of retained earnings
and balance sheet - equity
Example #3: The following table shows financial data for Cuddly Pets, Inc. as of J une
30, 2010. Prepare a balance sheet using this data.
Accounts receivable $419,200
Accounts payable 349,200
Inventory 58,400
Capital stock 662,100
Other assets 69,400
Notes payable 268,900
Cash 732,600
Equipment 118,500
Retained earnings 117,900
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Solution #3:
Assets
Cash $732,600
Accounts receivable 419,200
Inventory 58,400
Equipment 118,500
Other assets 69,400
Total Assets $1,398,100
Liabilities
Accounts payale $349,200
Notes payable 268,900
Total liabilities 618,100
Stockhlders Equity
Capital stock $662,100
Retained earnings 117,900
Total Stockholders Equity 780,000
Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity $1,398,100
Practice Problem #3: Tim Burr's Tree Service has reported the following financial
information as of 12/31/10, the end of its first year in business. Prepare the Income
Statement, Statement of Retained Earnings, and Balance Sheet using this information.
Accounts receivable $40,000
Accounts payable 30,000
Cash 10,000
Capital stock 20,000
Notes payable 10,000
Equipment 50,000
Fees earned 100,000
Fuel expense 10,000
Rent expense 15,000
Advertising expense 5,000
Wages expense 20,000
Retained earnings ?
Dividends 10,000
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Sample True / False Questions
1. Accounting is a system that collects and processes financial
information about an organization and reports that information to
decision makers.
True False
2. Assets are recorded at market value or replacement cost.
True False
3. In accounting and reporting for a business entity, the accounting
and reporting for the business must be kept separate from other
economic affairs of its owners.
True False
4. The accounting period in which service revenue is recognized (i.e.,
revenue for services rendered) is generally the period in which the
cash is collected.
True False
5. Total assets are $70,000, total liabilities, $40,000 and contributed
capital is $20,000; therefore, retained earnings are $15,000.
True False
6. Payment of a cash dividend to stockholders increases stockholders'
equity.
True False
7. The accounting model for the balance sheet is: Assets + Liabilities
= Stockholders' Equity.
True False
8. A decision maker who wants to understand a company's financial
statements must carefully read the notes to the financial
statements because the notes provide useful supplemental
information.
True False
9. The financial statement that shows an entity's economic resources
and its liabilities is the statement of cash flows.
True False
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10. Companies prepare financial statements at the end of each year
and more often as needed.
True False
11. The income statement equation is Expenses - Revenues = Net
Income.
True False
12. Generally accepted accounting principles almost never change
once created.
True False
13. Stockholders are creditors of a company.
True False
14. The stockholders' equity of a company is the difference between
assets and liabilities.
True False
15. Accounts payable, notes payable and wages payable are liability
accounts.
True False
16. Expenses are the necessary costs a business incurs to earn
revenue.
True False
17. For a new business, the beginning balance of Retained Earnings is
zero.
True False
18. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) requires top management of
companies to sign a report certifying their responsibilities for
financial statements.
True False
19. Revenue is reported on the income statement only if cash was
received at the point of sale.
True False
20. Accounts payable and accounts receivable are reported on the
income statement.
True False
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Sample Multiple Choice Questions
1.
Which of the following best describes accounting?
a) Can be thought of as the language of business
b) Is of limited or little use by individuals outside of the business
c) Records economic data but does not communicate the data to
users
d) Relies upon concepts and principles that are independent of
specific user needs
2.
The two most common specialized fields of accounting in practice
are:
a) environmental accounting and financial accounting
b) managerial accounting and tax accounting
c) financial accounting and accounting systems
d) managerial accounting and financial accounting
3.
Equipment with an estimated market value of $80,000 is offered
for sale at $85,000. The equipment is acquired for $10,000 in
cash and a note payable of $65,000. The amount used in the
buyers accounting records to record this acquisition is:
a) $80,000
b) $85,000
c) $10,000
d) $75,000
4.
The business entity concept means that:
a) An entity is organized according to state or federal statutes.
b) An entity is organized according to the rules set by the FASB
c) The entity is an individual economic unit separate and apart
from its owners
d) The owner is the entity.
5.
Properties owned by a business are referred to as:
a) stockholders equity
b) liabilities
c) assets
d) equities
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6. If total assets decreased by $1,000 during a period of time and
liabilities increased by $2,000 during the same period, then the
amount and direction (increase or decrease) of the periods
changes in stockholders equity is:
a) $1,000 increase
b) $3,000 increase
c) $3,000 decrease
d) $1,000 decrease
7. How does the rendering of services on account affect the
accounting equation?
a) Liabilities increase; stockholders equity decreases
b) Assets increase; liabilities increase
c) Assets decrease; stockholders equity increases
d) Assets increase; stockholders equity increases
8. If assets and liabilities at the beginning of the year were $205,000
and $140,000 respectively and at the end of the year were
$225,000 and $175,000 respectively, calculate the net income if
dividends of $35,000 were paid and $10,000 of additional capital
stock was issued.
a) Net income of $10,000
b) Net income of $15,000
c) Net loss of $15,000
d) Net income of $25,000
9. Which of the following financial statements reports information as
of a point in time?
a) Retained earnings statement
b) Statement of cash flows
c) Income statement
d) Balance sheet
10. Transactions affecting owners (stockholders) equity include:
a) only the issuance of capital stock and dividends
b) only the issuance of capital stock and net income or loss
c) only dividends and net income or loss
d) issuance of capital stock, dividends, and net income or loss
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11. Which of the following would not appear on the income
statement?
a) Service Revenue
b) Interest Expense
c) Net income
d) Dividends paid
12. Which of the following would not appear on the Retained Earnings
Statement?
a) Beginning retained earnings balance
b) Dividends
c) Service Revenue
d) Net Income
13. The financial statements are usually prepared in which of the
following sequences?
a) Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Retained Earnings
Statement, Statement of Cash Flows
b) Balance Sheet, Retained Earnings Statement, Statement of
Cash Flows, Income Statement
c) Balance Sheet, Retained Earnings Statement, Income
Statement, Statement of Cash Flows
d) Income Statement, Retained Earnings Statement, Balance
Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows
14. Cindys Maid Service began the year with total assets of $120,000
and stockholders equity of $40,000. During the year the company
earned $90,000 in net income and paid $20,000 in dividends.
Total assets at the end of the year were $215,000. Stockholders
equity at the end of the year was:
a) $130,000
b) $110,000
c) $150,000
d) $135,000
15. Using the information in Question 14, total liabilities at the end of
the year were:
1. $80,000
2. $90,000
3. $110,000
4. $105,000
16. Use the following appropriate amounts to calculate net income:
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Revenues, $12,000; Liabilities, $5,000; Expenses, $4,000; Assets,
$19,000; Dividends, $4,000.
a) $6,000
b) $8,000
c) $4,000
d) $14,000
17. Liabilities are best defined as:
a) Amounts the company expects to collect in the future from
customers.
b) Debts or obligations the company owes resulting from past
transactions.
c) The amounts that owners have invested in the business.
d) Payments to stockholders.
18. Sooner Company has had a net income of $8,000, $5,000,
$12,000, and $10,000 over the first four years of the company's
existence. If the average annual amount of dividends paid over
the last four years is $3,000, what is the ending retained earnings
balance?
a) $47,000
b) $35,000
c) $23,000
d) $7,000
19. The financial statement that represents activity over the entire life
of the company is the:
a) A. Income statement.
b) B. Statement of financial accounting.
c) C. Balance sheet.
d) D. Statement of cash flows.
20. Which financial statement is prepared at a point in time?
a) Income statement.
b) Balance sheet.
c) Statement of retained earnings.
d) Statement of cash flows.
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SOLUTIONS TO PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Practice Problem #1
Net income (or net loss) during 2001, assuming that as of December 31, 2001, assets
were $148,000, liabilities were $75,000, capital stock of $25,000 was issued, and
dividends of $12,000 were paid
a) Assets = Liabilities + Owners Equity
12/31/2000 $135,000 = $72,000 + ?
135,000 = 72,000 + 63,000
b) Change in 2001 -22,000 = -7,000 + ?
-22,000 = -7,000 + -15,000
c) Step 1: solve for 12/31/2001 equity
12/31/2001 $148,000 = $75,000 + ?
148,000 = 75,000 + 73,000
12/31/2000 135,000 = 72,000 + 63,000
Change in 2001 $13,000 = $3,000 + $10,000
Step 2: solve for net income
Capital stock - Dividends + Net Income = Change in Equity
$25,000 - -12,000 + ? $10,000
Net Loss = $3,000 = 10,000 - 25,000 +12,000
Practice Problem #2
a) Asset increase Asset decrease
b) Asset decrease Owners equity - decrease
c) Asset increase Owners equity - increase
d) Asset decrease Owners equity - decrease
e) Asset increase Liabilities increase
f) Asset increase Owners equity - increase
g) Asset decrease Owners equity - decrease
h) Asset decrease Liabilities - decrease
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SOLUTIONS TO TRUE / FALSE QUESTIONS
1. True
2. False - assets on the balance sheet are recorded at historic or
acquisition cost.
3. True
4. False - the accounting period in which service revenue is
recognized is the period when services rendered, regardless of the
period in which the cash is collected.
5. False - total assets are $70,000, total liabilities, $40,000 and
contributed capital is $20,000; therefore, retained earnings are
$10,000.
6. False - the payment of a cash dividend to stockholders decreases
stockholders' equity.
7. False - the accounting model for the balance sheet is: Assets =
Liabilities + Stockholders' Equity.
8. True
9. False - the financial statement that shows an entity's economic
resources and its liabilities is the balance sheet.
10. True
11. False - the income statement equation is Revenues Expense =
Net Income.
12. False - Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) will
change in response to changes in the business environment.
13. False - stockholders are owners of a company.
14. True
15. True
16. True
17. True
18. True
19. False - revenue is reported on the income statement when earned.
20. False - accounts payable and accounts receivable are reported on
the balance sheet.
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SOLUTI ONS TO MULTI PLE CHOI CE QUESTI ONS
1. A
2. D
3. D
4. C
5. C
6. C
7. D
8. A
9. D
10. D
11. D
12. C
13. D
14. B
15. D
16. B
17. B
18. C
19. C
20. B