Did you know that the noun “account” is from where the word “accounting” originates? It comes from the old French word “acont,” which means “account or terminal payment.” The Latin word “computus,” which means “calculation,” is the source of this old French word. The traces of accounting goes back to the 13th century but the first bookkeeping was published in the early fourteen hundreds. So; next time before you hire Professional Dissertation Writers Uk to get your accounting paper done; it would be good to know the origin of this discipline in the first place.
Businesses can be organized as proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies (Eugene F. Brigham, 2021). Accounting plays an integral role in all forms of business. When you are aware of the basis of the discipline then it gets easier to understand the rest of the topics. Your foundation needs to be strong in order to build a stable building, right? So; before starting to write on complex Accounting Dissertation Topics; try to understand the basics of accounting for a better understanding.
What is accounting?
“Don’t ever let your business get ahead of the financial side of your business. Accounting, accounting, accounting. Know your numbers”- Tilman J. Fertitta
Getting familiar with the accounting of your business is a must. What is accounting in the first place? Before jumping on to discussing the Basics of accounting, it is vital to understand the definition of accounting thoroughly. Accounting is the process of documenting a business’s financial transactions. As a part of the accounting process, these transactions are compiled, examined, and reported to;
- Oversight organizations.
- Regulatory bodies.
- Tax collection organizations.
Accounting and economics are known to overlap with one another as they both belong to the family of finance. Both involve the number of games and crunching (bestassignmentwriter, 2022). A company’s operations, financial condition, and cash flows are summarized in the financial statements that are used in accounting. They provide a succinct summary of financial transactions across an accounting period.
A comprehensive guide to the fundamentals of accounting:
Accounting is the foundation of financial management for companies of all sizes since it gives crucial information on the state from Financial statement analysis to the performance of an organization’s finances. The following paragraphs will introduce you to the essential principles and concepts that underpin this important field of study, whether you are a business owner, an aspiring accountant, or simply interested in learning the basics of accounting;
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The function of accounting:
The recording, categorization, analysis, summarization, and interpretation of financial information are the functions of accounting. Its main objective is to deliver trustworthy, accurate, and pertinent financial data so that stakeholders can make knowledgeable decisions regarding an organization’s operations, performance, and potential.
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The equation of accounting:
The accounting equation, which reads Assets = Liabilities + Equity, is the foundation of accounting. The link between a company’s assets (resources), liabilities (debts and commitments), and equity (remaining value or ownership interest) is established by this equation.
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The double entry system:
The double-entry system is a fundamental accounting principle that guarantees the correctness and upholds the accounting equation. At least two accounts are impacted by every financial transaction, one of which is debited and the other is credited. This system enables the debits and credits to be balanced, maintaining the equation’s equilibrium.
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The types of accounting:
Accounts are the foundation of accounting and are used to record and classify financial transactions. The five primary categories into which they can be divided are as follows:
- Assets: These are the things of value owned by a business.
- Liabilities: These are debts due to other businesses and individuals that can be divided into current and long-term obligations.
- Equity: The revenue a company shareholder can claim after debts have been paid is Shareholder Equity.
- Revenue: The amount of money brought into the company by selling items or services.
- Expenses: The cost that a business has to spend to carry out its operations is known as expenses.
A company’s assets are what it owns, its liabilities are what it owes, its equity is the owner’s interest, its revenue accounts are used to track revenues, and its expense accounts are used to record outlays.
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Financial Statements:
A company’s financial situation and performance are summarized in financial statements. The three main financial statements are as follows:
- Balance sheet.
- Income statement.
- Cash flow statement.
The assets, liabilities, and equity of the business are shown on the balance sheet as of a particular date. The income statement displays the company’s earnings over a certain time period, including sales, expenses, and net income or loss. The cash inflow and outflow are tracked in the cash flow statement and are broken down into operating, investing, and financing operations.
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The role of debits and credits:
To keep accurate records and record transactions, debits and credits are essential. Credits have the opposite impact of debits, increasing asset accounts while reducing debt and equity accounts. For effective bookkeeping and financial reporting, it is essential to comprehend how to handle debits and credits properly.
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Adjusting entries:
At the conclusion of an accounting period, adjusting entries are made to make sure that revenues and expenses are appropriately recognized. The modifications included in these entries include;
- Depreciation.
- Prepaid expenses.
- Unearned revenue.
- Accumulated revenues or expenses.
Adjusting entries make certain that financial statements accurately reflect the company’s genuine financial status and performance.
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Key Financial Ratios:
Financial ratios are used to evaluate the effectiveness, performance, and health of a company’s finances. Some of the main key financial ratios are as follows:
- Liquidity ratios (such as the current ratio and quick ratio).
- Profitability ratios (such as the gross profit margin and return on equity).
- Solvency ratios (such as the debt-to-equity ratio and interest coverage ratio).
These ratios aid stakeholders in assessing the firm’s viability, profitability, and capacity for fulfilling its obligations.
Conclusion:
Accounting plays an integral role in financial management so whether or not you are a student of this discipline; you need to be well acknowledged with the basic fundamentals of accounting. Hopefully; the above-mentioned post will help the readers in having a better understanding of accountings.
Bibliography
bestassignmentwriter. (2022, July 23rd). Accounting VS Economics: Which Study Can Elevate Your Business? https://bestassignmentwriter.co.uk/blog/accounting-vs-economics-which-study-can-elevate-your-business/ .
Eugene F. Brigham, J. F. (4th Feb, 2021). Fundamentals of Financial Management: Concise. Cengage Learning.