Accounting Chapter 1

Accounting

the process of recording, analyzing, interpreting financial information

Accounting System

planned process designed to compile financial data and summarize the results in accounting records and reports

Financial Statement

financial reports that summarize the financial condition and operations of a business

Net worth statement

allows the person extending the loan to see the financial position of a borrower on a specific date and made a lending decision

Assets

anything of value that is owned

Liability

an amount owed

Personal Net Worth

the difference between personal assets and personal liabilities

Equity

the difference between assets and liabilities

Ethics

The principles of right and wrong that guide individuals in making decisions

Business Ethics

The use of ethics making decisions in business

Service Business

a business that performs an activity for a fee

Proprietorship

a business owned by one person

Business Plan

a formal written document that describes the nature of a business and how it will operate

GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles)

the standards and rule of accounting that accountants follow while recording and reporting financial activities

Equities

financial rights to the assets of a business

Owner's Equity

the amount that remains after the value of all the liabilities is subtracted from the value of all assets

Accounting Equation

the equation showing the relationship among assets, liabilities, and owner's equity

Transaction

what accountants call any business activity that changes assets, liabilities, or owner's equity

Account

a record that summarizes the transactions pertaining to a single item in the accounting equation

Account Title

the name given to an account

Account Balance

the difference between the increases and the decreases in an account

Capital Account

an account used to summarize the owner's equity in a business

Creditor

a person or business to whom a liability is owed

Revenue

an increase in equity resulting from the sale of goods or services

Sale on Account

a sale for which payment will be received at a later date

Expense

the cost of goods or services used to operate the business

Withdrawals

assets taken from the business for the owner's personal use

T Account

an accounting device used to analyze transactions

Debit

an amount recorded on the left side of an account (increase +)

Credit

an amount recorded on the right side of an account (decreases -)

Normal Balance

the side of an account that is increased

Chart of Accounts

a list of accounts used by a business