Accounting Chapter 1 Vocabulary

accounting

the process of the planning, recording, analyzing, and interpreting financial information

accounting system

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

financial statements

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

net worth statement

a formal report that shows what an individual owns, what an individual owes, and the differences between the two

asset

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 an individual in making decisions

business ethics

the use of ethics in making business decisions

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 rules that accountants follow while recording and reporting financial activities

equities

financial rights to the assets of a business

owner’s equity

the amount remaining after the value of all liabilities is subtracted from the value of all assets

accounting equation

an equation showing relationship among assets, liabilities, and owners equity

transaction

any business activity that changes assets, liabilities, or owner’s equity

account

a record that summarizes all 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 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 costs of goods or services used to operate a business

withdrawals

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