Basic Accounting Module 1
Basic Accounting Module 1
COURSE MODULE 1
Basic Accounting
Accounting- is the art of recording, classifying and summarizing in a
significant manner and in terms of money, transactions and events,
which are, in part at least, of a financial character, and interpreting the
results thereof.
Four (4) Constructive or Mechanical Phases of Accounting:
1. Recording- putting business transactions into writing. Technically
referring to journalization.
2. Classifying- sorting or grouping of similar things and segregating
them from others of different nature.
3. Summarizing- expressed in terms of financial statements and reports
already prepared in condensed form.
4. Interpreting- the process that supplies answer to questions about the
profitability, stability, solvency & liquidity of an enterprises
a) Profitability- is the ability of the enterprises to generate profits from
its operations.
b) Stability – refers to the ability of the enterprises to stay viable.
Example : generate profits for the owners, sustain operations and pay
for long term financial obligations
c) Solvency - should means that the enterprises is capable of paying its
short term obligation.
ACCOUNTING 1 – FUNDAMENTALS OF ACCOUNTING – MODULE 1 1
d) Liquidity – refers to the enterprises having sufficient cash
The Role of Accounting in Business and Why It’s Important
Why Is Accounting Important?
Accounting plays a vital role in running a business because it helps you
track income and expenditures, ensure statutory compliance, and
provide investors, management, and government with quantitative
financial information which can be used in making business decisions.
There are four key financial statements generated by your records.
● The income statement provides you with information about the profit
and loss
● The balance sheet gives you a clear picture on the financial position
of your business on a particular date.
● The cash flow statement is a bridge between the income statement
and balance sheet and reports the cash generated and spent during a
specific period of time.
● Statement of changes in owners equity
It is critical you keep your financial records clean and up to date if you
want to keep your business afloat. Here are just a few of the reasons
why it is important for your business, big or small!
It Helps in Evaluating the Performance of Business
Your financial records reflect the results of operations as well as the
financial position of your small business or corporation. In other words,
they help you understand what’s going on with your business
financially. Not only will clean and up to date records help you keep
track of expenses, gross margin, and possible debt, but it will help you
compare your current data with the previous accounting records and
allocate your budget appropriately.
ACCOUNTING 1 – FUNDAMENTALS OF ACCOUNTING – MODULE 1 2
It Ensures Statutory Compliance
Laws and regulations vary from state to state, but proper accounting
systems and processes will help you ensure statutory compliance when
it comes to your business.
The accounting function will ensure that liabilities such as sales tax,
VAT, income tax, and pension funds, to name a few, are appropriately
addressed.
It Helps to Create Budget and Future Projections
• Budgeting and future projections can make or break a business,
and your financial records will play a crucial role when it comes to
it.
• Business trends and projections are based on historical financial
data to keep your operations profitable. This financial data is most
appropriate when provided by well-structured accounting
processes.
It Helps in Filing Financial Statements
• Businesses are required to file their financial statements with the
Registrar of Companies. Listed entities are required to file them
with stock exchanges, as well as for direct and indirect tax filing
purposes. Needless to say, accounting plays a critical role in all
these scenarios.
Importance of Business Record Keeping
An up-to-date database is one of the most useful resources which can
help you when it comes to planning new marketing and sales strategies.
Unfortunately, most businesses fail to tap into this resource effectively.
Other business records which must be kept include documents which
provide a record of your business transactions, or which enable these