A technique used to determine the variable rate (slope of a total cost line) of an independent variable and the fixed amount by using just two points: the highest point and the lowest point. For example, if at the...
A technique used to determine the variable rate (slope of a total cost line) of an independent variable and the fixed amount by using just two points: the highest point and the lowest point. For example, if at the...
A non-operating or “other” reduction in net income resulting from a judgment against the company. It is shown in the accounting period when the amount is determined to be probable and the amount can be...
A miscellaneous expense account used to record the difference between the amount of cash needed to replenish a petty cash fund and the amount of petty cash receipts at the time the petty cash fund is replenished.
A variance arising in a standard costing system that indicates the difference between the standard cost of direct labor for the good output (standard hours times standard rate) and the standard cost of the actual hours...
What is the difference between liability and debt? Definition of Liability In accounting and bookkeeping, the term liability refers to a company’s obligation arising from a past transaction. Examples of Liabilities A...
See FOB destination and FOB shipping point.
Variable costs and expenses divided by net sales. To learn more, see Explanation of Break-even Point.
A major classification on the balance sheet. It is the second long term asset section after current assets. Included are land, buildings, leasehold improvements, equipment, furniture, fixtures, delivery trucks,...
Under the accrual method of accounting, this account reports the employer’s portion of the health insurance cost incurred by the company during the period indicated in the heading of the income statement, whether...
The interest rate stated on a bond. This is also referred to as the face interest rate, nominal interest rate, and coupon rate.
See straight-line method of depreciation.
A liability account that reports an insurance company’s premiums received from its insured that have not yet been earned. For example, if the insurance company receives $600 on January 27 for an insured’s...
Either a temporary restriction or a permanent restriction imposed by the donor of an asset when it is contributed to a nonprofit organization.
See job order cost sheet.
See variable manufacturing overhead spending variance.
A second retained earnings account that reports the amount that a company has transferred from the unappropriated or regular retained earnings account.
The amount that a recurring equal amount deposited at the beginning of each period will grow to under compounded interest. An annuity due is also known as an annuity in advance.
The annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a U.S. government agency. The Form 10-K must be filed by corporations whose stock is publicly-traded on a U.S. stock exchange. The report contains the...
See the Explanation of Break-even Point.
A non-operating item resulting from the sale of this long-term asset for less than its carrying amount (or book value).
See sum of the years’ digits method of depreciation.
The section of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code which includes public charities such as religious, scientific, educational, and certain other organizations. Under section 501(c)(3) a nonprofit can be approved...
What are goods in transit? Definition of Goods in Transit Goods in transit refers to inventory items and other products that have been shipped by a seller, but have not yet reached the purchaser. When goods are in...
What is bad debts? Definition of Bad Debts The term bad debts usually refers to accounts receivable (or trade accounts receivable) that will not be collected. (Bad debts is also used for notes receivable that will not be...
Often this account appears as a line in the retained earnings section of stockholders’ equity (balance sheet) and will show the year-to-date net income. The reason is that some accounting software will not put the...
What is accumulated depreciation? Definition of Accumulated Depreciation Accumulated depreciation is the total amount of a plant asset’s cost that has been allocated to depreciation expense (or to manufacturing...
The mathematical result of sales revenues divided by average total assets during the period of the sales.
The first major section of the statement of cash flows. To learn more, see Explanation of Cash Flow Statement.
The cash flow from operating activities minus the amount of capital expenditures. Other variations are also used. To learn more, see Explanation of Cash Flow Statement.
The statement of comprehensive income covers the same period of time as the income statement, and consists of two major sections: Net income (taken from the income statement) Other comprehensive income (adjustments...
What is goodwill? Definition of Goodwill In accounting, goodwill is an intangible asset associated with a business combination. Goodwill is recorded when a company acquires (purchases) another company and the purchase...
What is purchase discounts lost? Definition of Purchase Discounts Lost The account Purchase Discounts Lost is a general ledger account used by a company that records vendors’ invoices using the net method. A debit...
Under the accrual method of accounting, this account reports the employer’s expense for the company’s 401(k) plan associated with the employees in the delivery department during the period indicated in the...
Under this method, net income is determined by analyzing the change in owner’s equity. The alternative is the transaction approach in which each transaction is recorded, sorted and stored.
A predetermined dollar amount that one unit of a finished product should cost during an accounting period.
A phrase that indicates a transaction was between two independent parties and that the resulting amount is a fair representation of the value.
One of the main financial statements (along with the income statement and balance sheet). The cash flow statement reports the sources and uses of cash by operating activities, investing activities, financing activities,...
The optimum purchase (or production) quantity which minimizes the combined total cost of carrying inventory and processing additional purchase orders (or production setups).
See inventory carrying costs.
What is liquidity? Definition of Liquidity Liquidity is a company’s ability to convert its assets to cash in order to pay its liabilities when they are due. Current Assets Generally, the assets that are expected to...
Featured Review
"Been a Bookkeeper for 25+ years and thought I was 'advanced' until I relocated and I had to get another job. Then I realized I did not have a clue! My current job I could not understand how things all tied together. This course was easy to understand and a true life saver! Worth every cent!" - Debbie H.
Join PRO or PRO Plus and Get Lifetime Access to Our Premium Materials
Read all 2,645 reviews
For the past 52 years, Harold Averkamp (CPA, MBA) has
worked as an accounting supervisor, manager, consultant, university instructor, and innovator in teaching accounting online. He is the sole author of all the materials on AccountingCoach.com.
We now offer 10 Certificates of Achievement for Introductory Accounting and Bookkeeping: