Characteristics of Accounting Information
When financial reports are generated by professional accountants, certain expectations of the information should be met:
1. Accounting information to be reliable, verifiable, and objective.
2. Consistency in the accounting information.
3. Comparability in the accounting information.
Reliable, Verifiable, and Objective
Accounting information should be reliable, verifiable, and objective.
Reliability: Accounting information is reliable to the extent that it is verifiable, is a faithful representation, and is reasonably free of error and bias. Reliability is a necessity for individuals who have neither the time nor the expertise to evaluate the factual content of the information.
Verifiability is demonstrated
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In other words, companies shouldn 't bounce between accounting rules and treatments to manipulate profits or other financial statement elements. Accounting methods should be used consistently.
Accounting consistency applies to the quality of accounting information because it allows end users to understand and compare financial statements. Think of it this way. If a company changed accounting treatment for its accounts receivable every single year, it would be difficult to compare the prior years ' accounts receivable balances with the current year. Since each year follows a different rule or standard, each year wouldn 't be able to be compared. This means that both ratio analysis and trend analysis wouldn 't be available for investors and creditors to help gauge the company 's current performance.
Comparability
Comparability is a quality of accounting information that addresses the usability of financial information. Information that is prepared using the same measurement techniques and reported in a similar fashion is considered comparable information because this information is similar and can be judged side by side other similar financial
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The implications of this assumption are profound. The historical cost principle would be of limited usefulness if eventual liquidation were assumed. Under a liquidation approach, for example, asset values are better stated at net realizable value (sales price less costs of disposal) than at acquisition cost. Depreciation and amortization policies are justifiable and appropriate only if we assume some permanence to the enterprise. If a liquidation approach were adopted, the current-noncurrent classification of assets and liabilities would lose much of its significance. Labeling anything a fixed or long-term asset would be difficult to justify. Indeed, listing liabilities on the basis of priority in liquidation would be
The purpose is “to develop, implement, and establish standards for accounting and financial reporting activities are accurate and reliable, and the resulting financial reports are as accurate and beneficial to the end users.” The end users that are discussed in the purpose are the outside users of the financial statements. Outsider users are……
(Arnow & Xakellis, 2001). Assets An asset is any item or property that can be considered to have value, owned by a person or business, in this case we will deal with that of the health care business area. “Cash, accounts receivable, notes receivable, and inventory are
The financial data and the information provided in the analysis of the financial situation are following the accounting principles (GAAP). Some other data and results which are not accepted GAAP but related
Non-current assets are items owned by an entity that cannot be converted into cash within one year. Goodwill is the value of the company’s reputation, location, and brand. Goodwill is an intangible asset. It appears on the balance sheet when a company buys another and pays more for the company’s intangible assets than tangible assets. There are three sources of goodwill of Dollarama Inc.
ACC 201 Final Project Part I Accounting Cycle Report Vanessa Ann Williams Southern New Hampshire University The accountant cycle has really impacted me to gain insight on the financial side of Peyton Company. In the accountant cycle, there are many particular directions involve determining the growth of the company such as steps, role, omission and financial statements. It’s important to apply every step from the accountant cycle to make a financial critical decision in the long run. This report will have a breakdown of how to apply the accountant cycle for Peyton Company to be aware of future financial decisions to keep the company holding strong.
Analysis • This section is regarded as the most critical step in writing an effective accounting memo by bringing together the required facts of the research, any supporting authoritative literature, and an accountants overall evaluation before forming a conclusion. • Analysis includes information from relevant guidance, along with an accountant’s own words about how the guidance is applicable. • The memo should contain enough authoritative guidance that the user will not need to perform additional research in the Codification. • Make sure to utilize the concept known as the “guidance sandwich.”
In 2002, the SEC adopted new rules and amendments to address public companies’ disclosure or release of certain financial information that is calculated and presented on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The accrual accounting is more popular and be widely used in business world because it produces more accurate and faithful financial statements that constitute better representation of actual circumstances than its main competitors. The major weakness of accrual accounting is that there is some time issue such like the time of occurred and time of recorded would probably be different and it increases the risk of financial information and the risk of correctness. Also, the accrual accounting generally cost more to operate compared with cash accounting
Waste Management Inc Is a company that is try to achieve a “zero waste’ in North America. It was founded in 1971 by Wayne Huizenga and Dean Buntrock. They provide services for: • Waste • Recyclables • Yard debris • Hazardous materials collection, • Hauling, treatment and disposal • Dumpster rental • Portable toilet rental • Security services
For Bear Stearns, this ratio was -9.7167 in 2007, while for Lehman Brothers, this ratio was 2.5224 in the same year. From numerical perspective, there is a high possibility that both companies manipulated its net income to artificially inflate its earnings to cover up operating problems. In table 9, JP Morgan, Qwest, and Global Crossing had red flag results. The Quality of Revenues ratio is similar to the Quality of Earnings, except that the emphasis is on cash relative to sales rather than cash relative to net income.
The paper will calculate the financial ratios of company that will be interpreted with the implications of ratios. Moreover, the paper will describe the indicators of fraudulent reporting. Discussion Purpose of Income Statement It is also called profit and loss statement or income or expense statement. The main purpose of income statement is to indicate managers and investors whether the organisation was cost-effective
Table of Contents Abstract: 3 Introduction: 3 Functions of an Accounting Information System: 4 Literature Review: 4 The Role of Financial Statement in Managerial Decision Making: 6 Accounting Information System related to Decision-making process: 7 Accounting Information on Decision-making Process: 7 Conclusion: 9 References: 10 Abstract: This paper discussed the extended normative model and supported through a longitudinal study. It is exploring the roles of Accounting Information Systems in an organization facing financial stages. Many teams suffer the various crises in different types.
It is this that justifies accounting history as a crucially important academic discipline. “History, in itself is instinctive and indigenous to all of us” (Carnegie. et al, 2011), whether individuals know it or not, everyone’s decision making process is strongly based on past experiences, and the past is the key source resorted to whenever a decision is needed to be made. The same is applicable to accounting, the decisions made today in all practices and approaches are drawn from the historical developments in the accounting process, that have led the practice
Income data (experiences, estimates of sales, fund rising, membership etc and planned activities). Data come from previous budgets, estimates, experience of others and public available statistics. I was also able to identify the main uses of accounting and these are as follow: Information All organizations need to keep records of their financial transactions so that they can access Information about their financial position, including: summary of income and expenditure, the outcome of all operations, assets and liabilities.
The main important purpose of the accounting information system is to promote the activity of the enterprise and to form a reliable and real picture of it. In addition, the accounting information system promotes the activity of the enterprise effectively by preparing up-to-date information statements, providing as much information as possible so that the data should be understandable all users not only for the experts(bookkeepers) and tracking liquidity. Nowadays accounting software is a programme which makes accounting work processes easier and faster and which makes it possible to meet the information demand of the management. It also can support the accountants’ work, helping to compile reports by in helping to compile reports by recording and processing the events concerning the
Exposure to credit risk is managed in part by obtaining collateral and corporate and personal guarantees. Counterparty limits are established by the use of a credit classification system, which assigns each counterparty a risk rating. Risk ratings are subject to regular revision. Liquidity Risk Liquidity risk is the risk that the company is unable to meet its payment obligations associated with its financial liabilities when they hall due and to replace funds when they are withdrawn. GK’s liquidity management process, as carried out within the Group through the ALCOs and treasury departments includes: o Monitoring future cash flows and liquidity on a daily basis o Maintaining a portfolio of highly marketable and diverse assets that can easily be liquidated as protection against any unforeseen interruption to cash flow o Maintaining committed lines of credit Currency Risk Currency risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates.