...Accrual Basis Accounting: Businesses Record Transactions as They Occur Abstract The purpose of this paper is to summarize the effects of accuracy and reliability of accrued expenses for financial information provided to users based on academic information. I will evaluate several key factors that are involved in accruing for expenses and how accruals affect a company’s financial statements. Included will be GAAP’s matching principle and FASB guidance on accruals. Other sources examined will from several academic articles. The results indicate that accruing for expenses maintain the matching concept. Accruals help avoid deceptive income statements that could result from the timing of cash payments. Table of Contents Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………...2 Table of Contents …………………………………………………………………………3 Introduction …………………………………………………………………………….....4 Literature Review ………………………………………………………………….. …......5 Locating Financial Misstatements: Where to Look……………………………....5 Accounting for the Costs to treat Environmental Contamination…………………7 Coping with FASB Statement No. 106-- "Accounting for Post-retirement Benefits Other Than Pensions…………………………………………………8 On the Implementation of Accrual Accounting: A Study of Conflict and Ambiguity……………………………………………………………………..8 Depreciation Rules and the Relation between Marginal and Historical Cost…….9 The Role of Accruals in Asymmetrically Timely Gain and Loss Recognition…...9 On Matching...
Words: 2775 - Pages: 12
...Accrual and Cash Accounting ACC 290 The biggest difference between accrual and cash basis accounting is the timing in which the revenues or expenses are recognized. Cash basis accounting is used mostly by small businesses or personal finances. The cash basis method accounts for revenue only when money is received or expenses only when money is paid out. For example, when you balance your checkbook, you only enter your paycheck when it is deposited into the bank, and when you write a check to pay a bill, you subtract that sum from your account. The accrual accounting method accounts for revenue when it is earned and for expenses, goods and services when they are performed. Revenue is recognized even if no cash has been received or, in the case of an expense, that has been incurred, no cash has been paid out, and it is the most common method used by businesses today. Let’s say you sell $10,000 worth of goods, under the cash basis method the amount id not entered in to the books until the money has been collected or a check is received. With the accrual accounting method, the $10,000 is recorded as revenue as soon as the sale is made. This is the same for expenses. If you get an electric bill for $1,500, using the cach basis method, it is not entered in to the books until the bill is paid. Under the accrual accounting method, it is entered as an expense as soon as it is received. (Morah, C. 2009) Accountants use the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to guide...
Words: 426 - Pages: 2
...Accrual and Cash Accounting Accrual and Cash Accounting Kimmel, P. D., Weygandt, J. J., & Kieso, D. E. (2011) “Accrual-basis accounting (p. 166) Accounting basis in which companies record, in the periods in which the events occur, transactions that change a company’s financial statements, even if cash was not exchanged.” Accrual accounting is an accounting process that could be properly utilized by a large company. One example is a company that is turning over millions of dollars in revenue yearly. A large company that is generating that much money and turning it around yearly has to maintain large volumes of cash flow. Without the large volume of cash flow, the company would be unable to maintain high volumes. Because of the high cash flow, money is constantly coming in and going back out. One example in today’s market is Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club stores. A company this size can afford to use the accrual method because it does not have to maintain a close watch on how much actual money is in the bank at any given time. The retail company has cash flow to order inventory, make payroll, and pay other bills at any given time. The accrual-basis is a better accounting process because it accurately creates a picture of the actual profits during a given time. It can make for clear tax predictions as well as accurate projections. Averkamp, H. (2014) “The accrual basis of accounting provides a better picture of a company's profits during an accounting period...
Words: 592 - Pages: 3
...Difference between Cash and Accrual Accounting: The cash basis of accounting, simply as the name suggests, records financial information on the basis of the actual cash movement. Revenues to be recognized when cash received and expenses to be recognized when cash paid out. Cash basis is normally adapted by small businesses mainly traders as it is quite easy, straightforward and can easily be set up and maintained without following a lot of complex accounting rules. Care must be taken when using financial statements prepared under the cash basis as it is not completely accurate e.g cash outflows due to purchases of fixed assets would only affect the period they are recorded in though they are to be used over a certain period of time, concepts such as depreciation are used under the accrual system to overcome such disruptions. The accruals basis of accounting which is a more sophisticated method recognizes revenues when “earned” and expenses recorded when “incurred” regardless of the cash movements relating to each. For e.g. in the case of a service business providing a service will recognize its revenue once the job is completed even if the customer hasn’t cleared the dues yet. Same approach is used for the expenses, recorded when incurred not when paid. Accrual accounting method improves the reported information by presenting a more realistic and accurate view of the underlying operations primarily matching reported income with reported expenses in a specific period. When cash...
Words: 343 - Pages: 2
...Accounting: Accrual versus Cash Zachary Ingwaldson ACC 290 October 14, 2012 Tamyra Ford Accrual vs. Cash Accounting departments are responsible for the documentation and upkeep of transactions that pertain to business needs, development, and sustainability. Businesses such as non-profit, small, and large corporations may use different platforms to perform the transaction accountability necessary. Most notably, many profitable businesses use either the accrual bases or cash bases with a preference for the accrual. The following will describe the two recording statements mentioned and the differences between them. Examples of company preference regarding the accrual method will also be examined. Cash Basis Accounting The cash basis of accounting is generally used for companies that document transactions when cash is received for a good or service already performed. Likewise, a transaction is not documented as a liability or credit until the bill or payable expense is complete. However, according to the book Financial Accounting: Tools for Decision Making, the cash basis of accounting is generally “prohibited under generally accepted accounting principles because it does not record revenue when earned” (Kimmel, Weygandt, & Kieso, 2009, p. 164). This practice does not reflect expenses incurred which is also a violation of the matching principle. An example of cash basis accounting is completing a...
Words: 544 - Pages: 3
...Accrual Accounting Two methods used to help human service organizations keep financial records according to Martin (2001), are referred to as “cash accounting and accrual accounting” (pg. 8, Cash and Accrual Accounting). However the accrual method is highly preferred and for many organizations this method is required. This paper will discuss their differences, why accrual accounting is important, and the importance of a cash flow statement with regard to financial management of an organization. Although cash accounting and accrual accounting are methods used to keep financial records, each method focuses on a different recording and reporting time frame pertaining to revenues and expenses. With cash accounting there are no records of receivables, payables, and this method lacks the ability to track partial payments. This is because revenues are recorded as of the date they are received despite when they are earned, and expenses are recorded as of the date they are paid despite when they are incurred (Snyder, n.d.). With accrual accounting revenues are recorded when earned despite when they are received, and expenses are recorded as they are incurred rather than when they are paid (Snyder, n.d.). The accrual method is important because it better reflects the organizations outcomes regarding their operations. Unlike cash accounting, accrual accounting includes receivables and payables, and revenues and expenses are recorded in full despite the fact that partial payments may...
Words: 533 - Pages: 3
...accrued expenses (AE), or accrued revenues (AR). a. UR To record revenue earned that was previously received as cash in advance. b. PE To record annual depreciation expense. c. AE To record wages expense incurred but not yet paid (nor recorded). d. AR To record revenue earned but not yet billed (nor recorded). e. PE To record expiration of prepaid insurance. 3-9 In its first year of operations, Harden Co. earned $39,000 in revenues and received $33,000 cash from these customers. The company incurred expenses of $22,500 but had not paid $2,250 of them at yearend. Harden also prepaid $3,750 cash for expenses that would be incurred the next year. Calculate the first year’s net income under both the cash basis and the accrual basis of accounting. Accrual Method Revenues 39,000 Expenses 22,500 Prepaid 0 Net Income = 16,500 Cash Method Revenues 33,000 Expenses 20,250 Prepaid (Expense) 3,750 Net Income = 9,000 3-1 In the blank space beside each adjusting entry, enter the letter of the explanation A through F that most closely describes the entry: A. To record this period’s depreciation expense. B. To record accrued salaries expense. C. To record this period’s use of a prepaid expense. D. To record accrued interest revenue. E. To record accrued interest expense. F. To record the earning of previously unearned income. ___B___ 1. Salaries Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,280 Salaries Payable . . . . . . . . . . . . ...
Words: 388 - Pages: 2
...Accrual Basis of Accounting versus Cash Basis of Accounting Danielle Spraker ACC/290 February 12th, 2013 Michael Olsen Accrual Basis of Accounting versus Cash Basis of Accounting Financial scandals that have severely damaged public faith in information provided by organizations have lead to more stringent regulations. A standardized basis of accounting allows for regulators to ensure information is presented ethically and legally. Accrual based accounting is required for all corporations that trade publicly as this basis is generally considered to provide a more accurate image of the financial standing of a company than that of cash based accounting. Accrual based accounting requires that an organization report expenses and revenues in the time period in which they occur rather than when cash physically changes hands. The text, Financial Accounting: Tools for business decision making, describes accrual accounting as, “Accrual-basis accounting means that transactions that change a company's financial statements are recorded in the periods in which the events occur, even if cash was not exchanged. For example, using the accrual basis means that companies recognize revenues when earned (the revenue recognition principle), even if cash was not received. Likewise, under the accrual basis, companies recognize expenses when incurred (the matching principle), even if cash was not paid.” (Kimmel, 2010). For example, if a rental company bills a hotel for chairs used in September...
Words: 498 - Pages: 2
...The two main methods of recording accounting transactions are cash basis accounting and accrual basis accounting. Each method has both advantages and disadvantages. However, only one method is approved by GAAP. Cash basis accounting is the method in which cash receipts and cash payments are recorded during the period in which they occur (Spiceland et. al., p. 7). Under the cash basis accounting method, the revenue is recognized when the cash is received and the expense is recognized when the cash is disbursed. In addition, there is no inventory account under the cash basis method. Goods and materials purchased for sale are recorded as direct costs in the period that payment is made for those goods and materials (Berry). Cash basis accounting is a simple and inexpensive method to implement and utilize. It also provides an accurate representation of cash flow. Additionally, the cash basis method provides the opportunity to "defer taxable income by delaying billing so that payment is not received in the current year.Cash basis accounting does not comply with two important accounting principles: the revenue recognition principle and the matching principle. Since the cash basis technique does not recognize receivables or payables, it is not an accurate method of measuring profit (Nelson). Accrual basis accounting is the method in which revenue is recognized when earned, and expenses are recognized when incurred. Additional accounts must be created to record the difference between...
Words: 575 - Pages: 3
...Discussion1 Is Fast Eddie required to accrue a liability as of March 31, 2011, financial statements related to the ongoing government investigation? If so, how much? Yes. Fast Eddie is required to accrue a liability of $3.7 million. Subsequent Events are Events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. There are two types of subsequent events: a. The first type consists of events or transactions that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing financial statements (that is, recognized subsequent events). b. The second type consists of events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose subsequent to that date (that is, nonrecognized subsequent events). According to ASC 855-10-25-1, an entity shall recognize in the financial statements the effects of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing financial statements. An example of recognized subsequent events is that if the events that gave rise to litigation had taken place before the balance sheet date and that litigation is settled after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued or are available...
Words: 663 - Pages: 3
...goal is to make profit and earn money. However, using different accounting systems to record transactions may meet different results in the end of a period. There is a statement that the accounting profit is equal to the incomes earned in the period minus the expenses happened in the period. There are two accounting systems to record the transaction of a company, which are cash basis accounting and accrual basis accounting. In this essay, I will talk about the differences between the two accounting systems. Then the advantages and disadvantages of cash basis and accrual basis accounting will be discussed. The statement in the third sentence about how to calculate profit uses accrual basis accounting method instead of cash basis accounting. Rich et al. (2009, p.115) says “ under cash basis accounting, revenue is recorded when cash is received, regardless of when it is actually earned. Similarly, an expense is recorded when cash is paid, regardless of when it is actually incurred.” It means that cach basis accounting only records transactions when the cash has been received or paid out. Accrual basis accounting (also called accrual accouting) is another system of transaction recording for a organization. It is an alternative system to cash basis accounting. “ under accual accounting, a company records recenues in the accounting period in which they are earned and realized, and records expenses in the accounting period they are incured.” (Nikolai, Bazley & Jones, 2009, p.105)...
Words: 1183 - Pages: 5
...Accrual and Cash Basis Accounting XACC/290 February 8, 2015 Accrual and Cash Basis Accounting Accrual accounting is when a company accounts for their transactions as the event occurs, not necessarily when the actual cash transaction takes place. When the revenue is earned can be a different time than when the revenue is paid for; for example, when Company A is called in to fix an intercom for a tenant of one of Company B’s buildings. The revenue is earned on January 30 and will be on January’s transactions; however, Company B does not pay Company A until they are billed in February, when the revenue is recognized (Kimmel, Weygandt, & Kieso, 2009). On the other hand, cash accounting takes into account when the actual cash transaction takes place, when cash is exchanged for a transaction, the revenue is then recorded as earned. It is acceptable for an accountant to use cash basis accounting and not violate the generally accepted accounting (GAAP) for companies that are in the service industry. A nanny that works for a family may work from January 26th to February 9th and bills the family for that two week time period on February 9th. The family would pay in February and the revenue would be recognized as being earned in February (Kimmel, Weygandt, & Kieso, 2009). All in all, accrual accounting requires more work, but is generally accepted account principles and the more accurate of the two different accounting practices. Reference Kimmel, P. D., Weygandt...
Words: 268 - Pages: 2
...Case 1: Contingencies 1. For the year-end December 31, 2007, financial statements, what amount should M record as a liability? ASC 450-20-25-2 states that: An estimated loss from a loss contingency shall be accrued by a charge to income if both of the following conditions are met: a. Information available before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the financial statements. Date of the financial statements means the end of the most recent accounting period for which financial statements are being presented. It is implicit in this condition that it must be probable that one or more future events will occur confirming the fact of the loss. b. The amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. According to ASC 450-20-25-2, M International should accrue the liability for the loss contingency and disclose the liability within their year-end December 31, 2007 financial statements. ASC 450-20-30-1 determines what amount should be accrued and disclosed if both conditions are met in ASC 450-20-25-2. ASC 450-20-30-1 specifies that: If some amount within a range of loss appears at the time to be a better estimate than any other amount within the range, that amount shall be accrued. Therefore, M International should record the $17 million as the liability for the contingency because it is the most likely amount within the range of $15 million to...
Words: 749 - Pages: 3
...“Accounting for Cash Flow throughout the Business Utilizing Accrual Accounting Practices” Group 4 Kesha Smith Dave Rebar Amber Sabrina Tanisorn Ruengpinyophun February 17, 2012 Table of Content I. The Statement of Cash Flow II. The Statement of Cash Flow The statement of cash flow (SCF) is one major part of basic financial statements. The purpose of the SCF is to provide information about the cash receipts and cash disbursements of an enterprise that occurred during a period (Spiceland, Sepe & Tomassini, 2004, p. 198). The SCF reflects the liquidity and solvency position of a company. It provides inside information on the company’s ability to generate cash from its main operations, and it’s an indicator to help give information on future expansion. It also helps gauge the company’s ability to handle cash effectively. An analysis of the SCF will provide the company information on the funds available to help repay debts and repayment of assets (Lamas & Gregorio, 2009, p. 99). There are three primary elements of the SCF, (1) operating activities, (2) investing activities, and (3) financing activities; there are two other requirements: (4) the reconciliation of the net increase or decrease in cash with change in the balance of the cash account and (5) noncash investing and financing activities (Spiceland, Sepe, & Tomassini, 2004, p1188). Let’s get a better insight of the flow of each activity. Operational activities are the inflow...
Words: 931 - Pages: 4
...competitive in attracting and retaining a talented workforce (Society for Human Resource Management, 2008) The more transparency that can be communicated early in the stages of the merger the more successful the company will be in employee retention, loyalty, and buy-in to the merger. One of the benefits that must be reviewed is each company’s paid time off/sick time/vacation time policies. Evaluation of the employee handbooks and policies is important for both due diligence and for developing a plan to integrate employees into the new workforce. Accrued vacation and employee paid time off are calculated differently between Company A and B. Information about employee pay rates and accrual basis are needed. Companies may have had different pay rates for the same job levels (Smith, 2012) so payroll/accounting will have to be reviewed. Also, evaluation of how each company views days off is important. Many companies who offer PTO programs continue to offer separate programs for holidays, bereavement, and jury duty. There are pros and cons for using a PTO system vs. a traditional leave system. If the company wants to proceed with using a traditional system, one reason is that employees are often motivated to avoid sick and personal absence, to accrue vacation time if using PTO. When the PTO...
Words: 1051 - Pages: 5
