predict and estimate the future costs, but the past costs are otherwise irrelevant to the decision. That is why accountants will refer to a past cost as a sunk cost. Examples of Relevant Costs Assume that a company has...
predict and estimate the future costs, but the past costs are otherwise irrelevant to the decision. That is why accountants will refer to a past cost as a sunk cost. Examples of Relevant Costs Assume that a company has...
get back to Company X’s checking account, Company X’s bank will have two options when Company X’s checking account does not have sufficient funds to cover the checks: 1. The bank could pay the checks and allow...
month’s principal payment reduces the loan’s principal balance, the next month’s interest payment will be slightly less and the principal payment slightly more. In addition to the amortization schedule for loans...
accountants will compute the per unit cost to the nearest penny. Join PRO to Track Progress Mark the Question as Read Must-Watch Video Learn How to Advance Your Accounting and Bookkeeping Career Perform better at your...
Are there two ABC methods in accounting? Some accountants use ABC to mean Activity Based Costing. Under this ABC a manufacturer will use many cost drivers to assign overhead costs to products. The objective of Activity...
the shortcoming of using only the balance at the beginning of the year and the balance at the end of the year, some accountants use 13 balances: the balance at the beginning of the year plus the balances at the end of...
– $25,000) is divided by the 5 years of useful life to arrive at the straight-line depreciation expense of $60,000 for a full year or $5,000 per month ($300,000/60 months). Accountants and income tax regulations...
between a company’s revenues and some of its expenses, these expenses should appear on the same income statement as the associated revenues. Accountants describe this as matching expenses with revenues. For instance,...
What is the operating cycle? Operating cycle definition The operating cycle is the time required for a company’s cash to be put into its operations and then return to the company’s cash account. Operating cycle...
What is book value? Definition of Book Value In accounting, book value refers to the amounts contained in the company’s general ledger accounts (or books). It is important to realize that the book value is not the same...
in the factory. In addition to the manufacturing costs, there are selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses and perhaps interest expense. Generally, accountants do not consider these expenses to be product...
Are transportation-in costs part of the cost of goods sold? Definition of Transportation-in Costs Transportation-in costs, which are also known as freight-in costs, are part of the cost of goods purchased. The reason is...
relatively soon, accountants will usually skip recording the asset. Here are three examples of how the expense might be reported on the company’s income statement. Example 1. A service company purchases $900 of...
underlying accounting principles, there are various characteristics that also guide accountants. Some of the characteristics include objectivity, conservatism, materiality, cost/benefit, comparability, relevance,...
liability until it is moved from the balance sheet to the income statement as an expense. This is done to achieve the accountants’ matching principle. Examples of Deferred Expenses Let’s assume that a large...
sold. Accountants can find the level of correlation between variables by using statistical software. For example, simple linear regression analysis (and multiple regression analysis) software can be used to determine...
in the product cost will be part of the cost of goods sold that is reported on the income statement. The remaining $5,000 of rent for nonmanufacturing functions is expensed each month without being allocated to the...
/ 3 years). This allocation of the phones’ cost to the accounting periods that benefit from the asset’s use follows the accountant’s matching principle. This makes the company’s financial statements more...
What does crossfoot mean? Definition of Crossfoot or Crossfooting Accountants and auditors use the word foot to mean adding one or more columns of numbers. When there are several columns of numbers along with a...
Bookkeeping Video Training Part 2 Accounting equation, why revenue accounts have credit balances, accrual method of accounting Must-Watch Video Learn How to Advance Your Accounting and Bookkeeping Career Perform better...
Will every transaction affect an income statement account and a balance sheet account? Definition of Income Statement and Balance Sheet Accounts A company’s general ledger accounts are arranged into two categories...
What is the difference between an adjunct account and a contra account? Definition of Adjunct Account An adjunct account is a general ledger account that is related to another general ledger account. The combination of...
What are some of the accounting courses in a college accounting degree? The accounting courses often included in a 120- or 150-credit college accounting degree are: fundamentals of financial accounting fundamentals of...
What is the difference between accounts payable and accounts receivable? Definition of Accounts Payable Accounts payable is a current liability account in which a company records the amounts it owes to suppliers or...
What is the difference between a nominal account and a real account? Definition of Nominal Account The balance in a nominal account is closed at the end of the accounting year. As a result, a nominal account begins each...
What is the accounting entry to close the sole proprietorship drawing account? Definition of Sole Proprietorship Drawing Account The drawing or withdrawal account for a sole proprietorship is a temporary owner equity’s...
terms of net 60 days or the company pays its bills by using its business credit card, the company may be able to operate with negative working capital. Managing Working Capital In short, net working capital management...
Tells You Analysts track a company’s gross margin percentage to determine whether the company is able to increase selling prices when costs are increasing or when competitors are reducing prices or expanding their...
the standard cost per pound (or some other unit of measure such as gallons, liters, etc.) Variances direct management’s attention to areas where the company’s operations are deviating from the company’s budgets...
Our Explanation of Accounting Basics uses a simple story to introduce important accounting concepts and terminology. It illustrates how transactions will be included in a company's financial statements.
This indicates (on average) how many days of credit sales have not yet been collected. If the credit terms are net 30 days, you would expect this to be at least 30 days. To learn more, see Explanation of Financial...
Our Explanation of Accounting Equation (or bookkeeping equation) illustrates how the double-entry system keeps the accounting equation in balance. You will see how the revenues and expenses on the income statement are...
In accounting, what is the meaning of dr.? Definition of Dr. In accounting, dr. is the abbreviation for the Italian term used more than 500 years ago to indicate today’s term debit. In accounting and bookkeeping, debit...
Our Explanation of Nonprofit Accounting includes a chart that contrasts the financial statements of a nonprofit (or not-for-profit) organization with those of a for-profit business corporation. There are many examples to...
Our Explanation of Accounting Basics uses a simple story to introduce important accounting concepts and terminology. It illustrates how transactions will be included in a company's financial statements.
Our Explanation of Accounts Payable provides insights on the bill paying process in a large company. Included are discussions of the three-way match, early payment discounts, end of period accruals, and more.
Our Explanation of Accounts Payable provides insights on the bill paying process in a large company. Included are discussions of the three-way match, early payment discounts, end of period accruals, and more.
In accounting, are debit balances good? It is best if you accept the meaning that the word debit has had for 500 years: a debit is an amount entered on the left-side of an account. Don’t add “good” or “bad” or...
Our Explanation of Accounting Equation (or bookkeeping equation) illustrates how the double-entry system keeps the accounting equation in balance. You will see how the revenues and expenses on the income statement are...
Featured Review
"I have been employed as a bookkeeper and office accounts manager in several small businesses over the years, and am currently a freelance bookkeeper. I first came across AccountingCoach while searching online for answers to queries that came up in the course of my work. Every search led me to AccountingCoach, where I consistently found concise, easy-to-understand answers. Recognizing the reliability of AccountingCoach, I made it my first click in search results, saving valuable time. I became a PRO user to further enhance my bookkeeping skills and broaden my understanding of accounting practices. The comprehensive and well-organized materials offered by AccountingCoach can be followed systematically or explored by specific topics. This resource has proven invaluable, providing insights beyond the scope of my formal bookkeeping qualification." - Yvette F.
Join PRO or PRO Plus and Get Lifetime Access to Our Premium Materials
Read all 2,645 reviewsWe now offer 10 Certificates of Achievement for Introductory Accounting and Bookkeeping: