Accountancy MCQs
Topic Notes: Accountancy
General Description
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
81
Which of the following best describes the cash basis of accounting?
Answer:
Revenue and expenses are recognized as cash comes in or goes out.
The cash basis of accounting is a method where financial transactions are recorded only when cash is actually received or paid. Unlike the accrual basis, which recognizes revenue when earned and expenses when incurred, the cash basis focuses strictly on the movement of cash. This approach is often used by small businesses or individuals for simplicity, as it directly reflects the actual cash flow position of the entity at any given time.
82
Which of the following definitions accurately describes the concept of accounting profit?
Answer:
Accounting profit is the difference between revenue income and expenses for the period.
Accounting profit is calculated based on the accrual basis of accounting. It represents the surplus of total revenue earned over the total expenses incurred during a specific accounting period, regardless of when the actual cash is received or paid. This distinguishes it from cash-based profit measures.
83
What is the term for the original cash amount paid to acquire an asset?
Answer:
Historical Cost
Historical cost refers to the original purchase price of an asset as recorded in the accounting books at the time of acquisition. This principle is a cornerstone of accounting, providing an objective and verifiable basis for asset valuation. It remains the standard for reporting most tangible assets on the balance sheet, regardless of subsequent changes in market value or inflation.
84
Which of the following is recognized as a fundamental accounting concept?
Answer:
Correction concept
While the source identifies 'Correction concept' as the answer, standard accounting theory typically lists Going Concern, Consistency, and Accrual as fundamental concepts. This choice may be based on specific curriculum terminology where 'Correction' refers to the fundamental nature of error rectification in accounting records.
85
The money measurement concept assumes that the value of the monetary unit remains:
Answer:
Remain Constant
The money measurement concept assumes that the currency used in financial reporting maintains a stable value over time. While inflation or deflation may occur in reality, accounting records ignore these fluctuations and treat the monetary unit as having a constant purchasing power, allowing for the aggregation of transactions occurring at different points in time.
86
Which accounting principle mandates the consistent application of accounting methods across successive reporting periods?
Answer:
Consistency
The consistency principle requires that once an accounting method is chosen, it should be applied consistently from one period to the next. This practice is vital for ensuring the comparability of financial statements over time. If a business frequently changes its accounting policies, it becomes difficult for investors and analysts to evaluate performance trends. Any change in method is only permitted if it results in a more accurate or fair presentation of the financial information.
87
The matching principle in accounting is primarily concerned with aligning which two elements?
Answer:
Revenues with expenses
The matching concept is a fundamental accounting principle requiring that expenses incurred to generate revenue must be recognized in the same accounting period as the related revenue. This ensures that the financial statements accurately reflect the profitability of the business for a specific period by properly associating costs with the income they helped produce.
88
What is the typical effect of applying the concept of conservatism (prudence) in accounting?
Answer:
Understatement of liabilities
The principle of conservatism dictates that accountants should not anticipate profits but should provide for all possible losses. This often leads to the understatement of assets or the overstatement of liabilities, rather than the understatement of liabilities. Note: The provided answer 'B' contradicts standard accounting theory.
89
Which accounting convention justifies the use of an accelerated method of depreciation?
Answer:
Convention of conservation
The convention of conservatism (or prudence) suggests that anticipated losses should be recognized, while anticipated gains should not. Accelerated depreciation methods result in higher expenses in the early years of an asset's life, which aligns with the conservative approach of recognizing higher costs sooner rather than later, thereby reducing reported profits in the short term.
90
Which accounting principle necessitates the systematic allocation of the cost of a fixed asset over its useful life through depreciation?
Answer:
Matching concept
The matching concept requires that expenses incurred to generate revenue must be recognized in the same period as the related revenue. Since fixed assets contribute to revenue generation over multiple periods, their cost must be spread out via depreciation to match the expense against the revenue earned in each of those periods, ensuring accurate periodic profit determination.