Accounting is a process-oriented task that follows a prescribed series of steps in order to keep track of, and record, the balances of the various accounts. When a business makes a transaction, the effect of that transaction is recorded in the accounting system. According to the fundamental accounting equation, each transaction will affect at least … Continue reading Record Keeping and the Accounting Process
Category: Accounting
Basic Accounting: What is GAAP?
Learn about the concept of GAAP, or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Understanding Accounting: Accounts Receivable
The accounts receivable side of the accounting sheet is the side many businesses must allocate an entire department’s resources towards maintaining, monitoring, and collecting. Quite often, businesses have failed not because they weren’t profitable, but because they weren’t collecting on sales and their cash flows were inadequate. That’s an awfully hard place to be, to realize your … Continue reading Understanding Accounting: Accounts Receivable
Basic Accounting: What is a Liability?
We touched briefly on liability in a previous article, and we mentioned it again during our asset discussion. But what and how do we classify something as a liability? A liability is something for which we are responsible. Liabilities are not just loans; they can be homework assignments, study material, or our little brother on Saturday night. In … Continue reading Basic Accounting: What is a Liability?
Understanding Accounting: Accounts Payable Function
The accounts payable function of accounting is an area that requires close monitoring and accurate record keeping, unless you ‘d like to pay for things you don’t receive. Everything that you purchase in the course of operating your business is termed an “account payable”. How you choose to pay for that merchandise, may vary. Some small items … Continue reading Understanding Accounting: Accounts Payable Function
Your Accounting Statement of Cash Flows
No, it is not an overdraft notice from the bank. Your statement of cash flows is a business tool used by many smart businesses to determine their flexibility when preparing budgets, making decisions about asset purchases, and to monitor their level of profitability in relation to cash availability. What is a statement of cash flows, and … Continue reading Your Accounting Statement of Cash Flows
Fundamentals of Cost Accounting
Cost accounting is a very obscure area of accounting expertise, and most accountants that work with cost accounting are hired by corporate America to perform private cost analysis and evaluation on the products manufactured by that particular company. Cost accounting can be helpful, however if you’re going to have a need to establish prices for … Continue reading Fundamentals of Cost Accounting
Understanding Accounting for your Businesses: A Green Light for Success
By now you should have a little better understanding of the accounting process, some of the more important parts, and a glimmer of hope in your ability to perform the bookkeeping requirements. Okay I’m kidding, you don’t have a clue about the bookkeeping function; you just simply want to keep better tabs on your accountant! Well, … Continue reading Understanding Accounting for your Businesses: A Green Light for Success
Basic Accounting: What is Owner’s Equity?
Owners equity is the dessert of the accounting field. This is the one topic everybody likes to discuss, and that most individuals who own and operate a business really like to watch as it increases. What is the correct definition of owner’s equity, and why is it one of the most important pieces of the accounting … Continue reading Basic Accounting: What is Owner’s Equity?
Your Accounting Balance Sheet
The Balance sheet is one of the more widely recognized accounting tools, and is used extensively in the banking and financial world to determine a businesses overall health. What is the balance sheet, and why is it so important in determining the overall health of a business? Let’s answer this two part question, one piece at … Continue reading Your Accounting Balance Sheet