...Accounting Information and Predicting Financial Performance: Accounting information can be useful in order to help predict future performance in the short and long term. It is important to note however that accounting information including accounting ratios show a company’s performance at a period in time. It is historical data. Trends can be identified by comparing data in sequential periods and future forecasts can be determined using historical data. There is no evidence or proof however, that these patterns will predict the future at a level of complete certainty. In my opinion, it would be hard to argue that decreasing profits over an extended period of time, or deteriorating liquid assets and increasing long term debt will have a negative impact if a trend continues. Eventually a company will have financial difficulties. Another type of predictive model that utilizes accounting information includes regression analysis. Regression analysis is viewed by many to be more useful that financial data or ratios alone. Regression analysis often test whether past stock prices, sales, profit, financial ratios, solvency, and other items are related to other variables including GDP, interest rates, market saturation of the industry, etc. In addition, a degree of confidence can be determined concerning the relationship of the variables in regression analysis Accounting ratios are determined from financial data, which as mentioned is historical. I do not feel that all financial ratios...
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...Accounting Information and Predicting Financial Performance Financial ratios are often relied upon as a leading indicator of future financial performance by businesses. These accounting ratios and other company specific accounting information can be especially good predictors in the short run, but as the time horizon extends beyond a few years, these metrics lose predictive value. There are simply too many macro and external factors that the hard numbers cannot account for over the long-run. One way in which these accounting ratios have been tested with regards to predicting future financial performance is by back testing firms that entered bankruptcy. In his study of Italian corporate firms over a 3 year periods, Marco Muscettola used 32 accounting ratios to test the ability of those ratios to forecast future defaults. The two groups of ratios he found to be most predictive were capital structure ratios and debt coverage ratios. This is a logical conclusion as these ratios focus on liquidity and the ability for a company to meet its future obligations. The capital structure ratios evaluate the various ways a company uses debt to create assets by dividing long-term liabilities, debt, and payables by total assets to assess leverage. Debt coverage ratios seeks to evaluate the cost of financing by measuring interest expense as a percentage of total debt and sales and evaluate how total debt compares to sales and current liabilities. Muscettola surmises that it...
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...Accounting Concepts, Assumptions, Principles, Elements Key Things to Know Objectives of Financial Reporting: 1. Provide useful information to investors and creditors for decision making (assume users have a “reasonable understanding” of business). 2. Provide information to access the amounts, timing, and uncertainty of cash inflows and outflows. 3. Provide information about resources (assets) and claims to resources (liabilities). Recognition: An item should be recognized in the financial statements when it meets all 4 of the following criteria: 1. Definition: meets the definition of an element 2. Measurability: measurable with sufficient reliability 3. Relevance: makes a difference in the decision 4. Reliability – representationally faithful, verifiable, neutral Accounting Underlying Assumptions - Basis for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Entity Assumption - each business is its own “accounting” entity. Periodicity Assumption - divide economic activities into time periods for reporting. Going Concern Assumption - the company will remain in business and will...
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...Financial accounting refers to accounting and oversight of the companies have completed a comprehensive system of campaign funds, that the external economic stakes of investors, creditors and the government departments concerned and enterprises to provide economic information of the financial position and profitability as the main target carry out economic activities. Financial Accounting is an important foundation work of modern enterprises, through a series of accounting procedures, provided useful information for decision-making, and actively participate in management decisions, improve the economic efficiency of enterprises, service in the healthy and orderly development of the market economy. Management accounting, also known as "internal report accounting", it means: to present and future campaign funds, to enhance economic efficiency for the purpose of internal managers provide the scientific basis for management decision-making as the goal of economic management activities. Popular financial accounting is the total company accounting processes, cost accounting is the part of management accounting is a financial accounting calculation based on future projections of the company. In economic management, accounting work is an important part of one is closely linked to the effective operation of economic and accounting work. Comparison of management accounting and financial accounting for the study of accounting work in-depth research and analysis. Overview of management...
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...CHAPTER 1 ACCOUNTING: INFORMATION FOR DECISION MAKING OVERVIEW OF BRIEF EXERCISES, EXERCISES AND CRITICAL THINKING CASES Brief Exercises B. Ex. 1.1 B. Ex. 1.2 B. Ex. 1.3 B. Ex. 1.4 B. Ex. 1.5 B. Ex. 1.6 B. Ex. 1.7 B. Ex. 1.8 B. Ex. 1.9 B. Ex. 1.10 Learning Objectives 1, 3, 5 2,5 3,4 5,6 1, 3, 5, 6 5, 6 2, 5, 6 7, 8 5, 7 1 Topic Users of accounting information Components of internal control Inexact or approximate measures Standards for the preparation of accounting information FASB conceptual framework PCAOB COSO Professional certifications in accounting AICPA code of professional conduct Personal benefits of accounting skills Skills Analysis Analysis Analysis, judgment Analysis Analysis Analysis, research Analysis, ethics Analysis Analysis, ethics Analysis Exercises 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Topic You as a user of accounting information Real World: Boeing Company, California Public Employees Retirement System, China Airlines Users of accounting information What is financial reporting? Generally accepted accounting principles Accounting organizations Investment return Accounting terminology Accounting organizations Financial and management accounting Management accounting information Accounting organizations Purpose of an audit Audits of financial statements Ethics and professional judgment Careers in accounting Home Depot, Inc. general information Learning Objectives Skills 1 Analysis, judgment 3, 4 Analysis, research ...
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...users of accounting information ii. To discuss how the users use the accounting information iii. To figure out the various uses of accounting information iv. To figure out the uses of accounting information in various sectors. Limitations of the Study: 1. Time constraint 2. Resource constraint Users of Accounting Information: The differences in the decisions divide the users of accounting information into two broad groups. They are: a. Internal Users b. External Users External users can further be divided into two subgroups: 1. “those with direct financial interest” in a firm 2. “those with indirect financial interest” Users of Accounting Information Internal Users External Users With direct financial interest With indirect financial interest External Users of Accounting Information: “This group is made up anyone outside an organization that uses accounting information to make financial decision.” The external users would receive limited financial information from the target company, such as general purpose financial statements; these statements have just enough information to inform external users of the company’s economic position. General purpose statements are in the area of financial accounting, which is the type of accounting aimed at supplying information to users not directly affiliated with the target company. External Users and their ways to use Accounting Information: ...
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...financial accounting according to the different measurement attributes, can be divided into historical cost accounting, current cost accounting, fair value accounting and other different models. Today is the leading and ruling position, or historical cost accounting model, although it faces challenges, can still be regarded as the basic pattern of financial accounting. 1, the historical cost accounting features 1, the basis for the past recognized. most important feature of the historical cost accounting is a past-oriented. From the basis of confirmation of view, the historical cost accounting is based on past transactions or events have occurred based on. Whether accrual or cash basis, are targeted to have occurred in terms of past transactions. The former caused a result of past transactions and the rights and obligations; the latter a result of past transactions caused by cash. Their common feature is based on transactions or events that have occurred in the foundation. 2, measured at historical cost. This is the essence of historical cost accounting. Assets, liabilities, costs measured at historical cost, provided that for the past history information associated with the lack of reality. 3, follow the decision of revenue realization and matching principle. double-entry bookkeeping has been created, through cost and revenue for the ratio to determine the income, has been the main features of accounting, and constitutes the entire accounting system...
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...Others like cooperative, non-profit making etc. * Such organizations need to take different decisions for their business activities. * Financial information is needed for decision making purpose. * Book keeping and Accounting will provide such information. * Meaning of Financial Accounting * Process of identifying, measuring, classifying, recording, summarizing and interpretation of the transactions of a business in terms of money to ascertain the result and financial position of business activities of particular period. * Accounting is the art of recording, classifying and summarizing, in a significant manner and in terms of money, transactions and events which are in the part at least, of a financial character and interpreting the results there of.- AICPA * Its features are- * Financial language * Financial information * Systematic process * Functions * Information system * The Purposes of Financial Accounting The objectives of accounting are- * To maintain records- * To generate accurate and authentic information, all the financial activities needs to be remembered which will not be possible without keeping records. As accounting helps to memorize all the transactions with records, it is the objective of accounting. * To ascertain operating results- * Accounting ascertains whether the business has earned a profit or suffered a loss by preparing profit and loss statements,...
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...MEANING OF ACCOUNTING: Accounting is famously known as the "language of business". Through the financial statements, the end-product reports in accounting, it delivers information to different users. Accounting is a means through which information about a business entity is communicated. Accounting Definition: Technical definitions of accounting have been published by different accounting bodies. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) defines accounting as: "the art of recording, classifying, and summarizing in a significant manner and in terms of money, transactions and events which are, in part at least of financial character, and interpreting the results thereof." To further understand what accounting is, we must take a look at the different definitions. Accounting as a Science: Accounting is the process of identifying, measuring, and communicating economic information to permit informed judgment and decisions by users of information. Accounting as an Art: Accounting is the art of recording (journalizing), classifying (posting to the ledger), summarizing in a significant manner and in terms of money, transactions and events which are, in part, at least of a financial character, and interpreting the results thereof to interested users. Accounting as an Information System: Accounting is a service activity, which functions to provide quantitative information, primarily financial in nature, about economic entities that is intended to be useful...
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...Part: 1 Social Relevance of Accounting Information 1.1. Accounting Standards 1.2. Need for Accounting Standards Part 2: Types of Accounting Standards Rules Based Accounting Principle Based Accounting System Part: 3 Comparisons of Principle and Rules Based Accounting Standards Conceptual Framework Flexibility of Rules and Principles International Accounting Platform Comparability of Financial Statements Realistic Representation of Accounting Information Part:4 Findings of the Research Study Part :5 Conclusion Reference Appendix Appendix 1: Narration on Figure 1 - Qualities of Accounting Information Abstract The proposed research paper attempts to illustrate the importance of a global accounting system and the impact of standards on the global market, as well as, providing the means for comparable financial reporting for decision making by both investors and corporations. This research provides understanding about the major differences of a Rules-based and Principal Based Accounting Systems, including the benefits and drawbacks of such a shift. Proponents of principles-based accounting blame the Rules-Based Accounting System for the major accounting scandals. They believe that the Rules-Based system encourages the use of financial structuring to achieve desired accounting results, which will undermine the quality of financial reporting. Supporters of rules-based accounting argue that principles-based accounting relies heavily on judgment...
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...Financial Statements Leslie Johnson January 31, 2010 ACC/280 Principles of Accounting Accounting is a systematic proocess that identifies, records, and communicates the economic events of an organization to interested users (Weygandt, 2008). The financial information gathered is used to determine a company’s financial status and provide reports and insights needed to make sound financial decisions. The purpose of accounting is to provide economic financial information for investor, creditors, and other external users. Accounting identifies and records all activities that effect the organization financially. Accounting is a means of communicating the numbers. The three basic activities in accounting identify, records, and communicate the economic events of an organization to interested users (Weygandt, 2008). One example of an economic event is telephone service is provided by Verizon. Once the company has identified the economic event, it is recorded in order to provide a history of the organizations financial activities. The accounting process includes the bookkeeping function that usually involves only the recording of economic events (Weygandt, 2008). Collectively, accounting involves the entire process of recording, identifying, and communicating economic events. Management uses accounting information in planning, controlling, and evaluating business operations. Other groups that use accounting information are tax authorities, regulatory...
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...Introduction Accounting is the core of a business or organization as it helps to provide the necessary information which is required to make important economic decisions to ensure the organization or business is moving forward. In the business world, companies are now looking for something to be understood mainly to contribute on its effective business and management progress. The advanced pace in technology and the increasing level of competition among organization structure drastically impacts the position of an accountant. The information required by a company to make decision to make sure it is moving forward is provided by accounting. Both managerial and financial accounting plays a big role by working along to ensure the growth of the organization is in the right path. However, both managerial and financial accounting has its own purpose of improving an organization or a business. “Earlier financial accounting experiments typically sought to determine whether specific accounting policy choices would affect investors’ decisions.” (Pg778-experimental research) (122words) Role of Financial Accounting Every organization or business should be able to know their monetary progress or else they would never be able to evaluate if the business is profitable or the other way around. “The purpose of financial accounting is to provide users of financial statements with information that is useful for efficient decision making.”(accounting for intangible-pg102).It prepares the...
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...The Role of Accounting Accounting is often called “the language of business.” Why? Because it communicates so much of the information that owners, managers, and investors need to evaluate a company’s financial performance. These people are all stakeholders in the business—they’re interested in its activities because they’re affected by them. In fact, the purpose of accounting is to help stakeholders make better business decisions by providing them with financial information. Obviously, you wouldn’t try to run an organization or make investment decisions without accurate and timely financial information, and it’s the accountant who prepares this information. More importantly, accountants make sure that stakeholders understand the meaning of financial information, and they work with both individuals and organizations to help them use financial information to deal with business problems. Actually, collecting all the numbers is the easy part—today, all you have to do is start up your accounting software. The hard part is analyzing, interpreting, and communicating the information. Of course, you also have to present everything clearly while effectively interacting with people from every business discipline. In any case, we’re now ready to define accounting as the process of measuring and summarizing business activities, interpreting financial information, and communicating the results to management and other decision makers. Fields of Accounting Accountants typically work in...
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...CHAPTER 1 ACCOUNTING: INFORMATION FOR DECISION MAKING OVERVIEW OF BRIEF EXERCISES, EXERCISES, AND CRITICAL THINKING CASES Brief Exercises B. Ex. 1.1 B. Ex. 1.2 B. Ex. 1.3 B. Ex. 1.4 B. Ex. 1.5 B. Ex. 1.6 B. Ex. 1.7 B. Ex. 1.8 B. Ex. 1.9 B. Ex. 1.10 Learning Objectives 1, 3, 5 2, 5 3, 4 5, 6 1, 3, 5, 6 5, 6 2, 5, 6 7, 8 5, 7 1 Topic Users of accounting information Components of internal control Inexact or approximate measures Standards for the preparation of accounting information FASB conceptual framework PCAOB COSO Professional certifications in accounting AICPA code of professional conduct Personal benefits of accounting skills Skills Analysis Analysis Analysis, judgment Analysis Analysis Analysis, research Analysis, ethics Analysis Analysis, ethics Analysis Exercises 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Topic You as a user of accounting information Real World: Boeing Company, California Public Employees Retirement System, China Airlines Users of accounting information What is financial reporting? Generally accepted accounting principles Accounting organizations Investment return Accounting terminology Accounting organizations Financial and management accounting Management accounting information Accounting organizations Purpose of an audit Audits of financial statements Ethics and professional judgment Careers in accounting Home Depot, Inc. general information Learning Objectives Skills 1 Analysis, judgment 3, 4 Analysis...
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...Relevance Concept: Information should be relevant to the decision making needs of the user. Information is relevant if it helps users of the financial statements in predicting future trends of the business (Predictive Value) or confirming or correcting any past predictions they have made (Confirmatory Value). Same piece of information which assists users in confirming their past predictions may also be helpful in forming future forecasts. Reliability Concept: Information is reliable if a user can depend upon it to be materially accurate and if it faithfully represents the information that it purports to present. Significant misstatements or omissions in financial statements reduce the reliability of information contained in them. Matching Concept: Matching Principle requires that expenses incurred by an organization must be charged to the income statement in the accounting period in which the revenue, to which those expenses relate, is earned. Prior to the application of the matching principle, expenses were charged to the income statement in the accounting period in which they were paid irrespective of whether they relate to the revenue earned during that period. This resulted in non recognition of expenses incurred but not paid for during an accounting period (i.e. accrued expenses) and the charge to income statement of expenses paid in respect of future periods (i.e. prepaid expenses). Application of matching principle results in the deferral of prepaid expenses...
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