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
1
What is the standard formula for calculating the debt ratio?
Answer:
Total Liabilities / Total assets
The debt ratio is a solvency metric that indicates the proportion of a company's assets that are financed through debt. It is calculated by dividing total liabilities by total assets. This ratio helps stakeholders understand the financial leverage of a company and its ability to meet long-term obligations by comparing its total debt burden against its total asset base.
2
What term describes debts that are expected to be settled within a one-month timeframe?
Answer:
Quick liabilities
Quick liabilities, often referred to as current liabilities, are obligations that must be settled in the very near future. While the standard definition of current liabilities covers one year, the term 'quick' emphasizes the immediate liquidity requirement for debts due within a very short period, such as a month.
3
Which financial metric are bondholders primarily concerned with when evaluating a company's financial health?
Answer:
Times interest earned
Bondholders are primarily concerned with the company's ability to meet its debt obligations, specifically interest payments. The 'times interest earned' ratio measures how many times a company can cover its interest expenses with its earnings before interest and taxes. A higher ratio indicates a greater margin of safety for bondholders regarding timely interest payments.
4
Which of the following is considered the least effective measure of short-term liquidity?
Answer:
Cash flow from operating activities
While cash flow from operating activities is vital for assessing long-term solvency and operational health, liquidity ratios like the Current Ratio and Quick Ratio are specifically designed to measure the ability to meet short-term obligations using current assets. Cash flow is a flow metric, whereas liquidity is a stock metric.
5
Which components of the balance sheet are primarily utilized to assess the liquidity position of a business entity?
Answer:
Current liabilities and current assets
Liquidity refers to a company's ability to meet its short-term financial obligations. By comparing current assets (which are expected to be converted to cash within a year) against current liabilities (debts due within a year), analysts can determine if the business has sufficient resources to cover its immediate liabilities.
6
Which category of financial ratios measures a firm's capacity to settle short-term liabilities using its current assets?
Answer:
Liquidity ratio
Liquidity ratios, such as the current ratio and quick ratio, are designed to assess a company's ability to meet its short-term financial obligations as they fall due. By comparing current assets to current liabilities, these ratios provide insight into the firm's short-term solvency and operational efficiency in managing working capital.
7
What is the standard formula for calculating the Return on Investment (ROI) ratio?
Answer:
(Net profit / Total assets) x 100
The Return on Investment (ROI) ratio is a key performance indicator used to assess the profitability of an entity relative to its total asset base. By dividing net profit by total assets and multiplying by 100, management can evaluate how effectively the company utilizes its resources to generate earnings.
8
Which financial ratio can be derived using only the information provided in a sole trader's Balance Sheet?
Answer:
net profit to capital
The ratio of net profit to capital (Return on Capital Employed) can be calculated using the Balance Sheet, as it requires the net profit figure (often found in the equity section or derived from capital changes) and the total capital invested. Other ratios like net profit to sales or inventory turnover require data from the Income Statement, such as revenue or cost of goods sold.
9
What is the implication of a lower Debt-Equity ratio for creditors?
Answer:
Higher the protection to creditors
A lower Debt-Equity ratio indicates that the company is relying less on borrowed funds and more on equity financing. This provides a greater cushion for creditors, as the company has a smaller obligation to pay interest and principal relative to its own capital. Consequently, creditors perceive a lower risk of default, which is interpreted as higher protection for their invested capital.