Financial Accounting Overview

Study Notes

Financial Accounting Overview

Financial accounting is a widely used form of accountancy that involves recording economic events within a business entity. It's primary responsibility lies with providing information to external users such as investors, creditors, and regulatory agencies. This is done through regular reports like income statements, balance sheets, statement of retained earnings, and cash flow statements. These reports allow users to obtain enough information to understand what has happened in the past, to predict future economic events based on this past history, and most importantly to make decisions which will affect both the present and the future of their investment based upon these expected occurrences. Thus, financial accounting provides the foundation for decision making by various parties who have interests in businesses.

A key part of financial accounting is the preparation and presentation of financial statements according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) or international financial reporting standards (IFRS), depending on the jurisdiction. GAAP is a set of rules designed to guide the financial accounting process. IFRS, introduced in 2005, offers standardized global frameworks designed specifically for the disclosure of corporate performance measures. Both systems aim to ensure consistency and transparency in financial reporting across different businesses.

The main purpose of preparing financial statements under either system is to report the company's financial position, results of operations, changes in equity, and net cash flows during the period covered. They help companies stay compliant with tax regulations while also communicating important details regarding financial health to stakeholders. In summary, financial accounting is crucial because it forms a basis for understanding the current state of affairs and helps determine prospects for the future based on a firm’s past performance.

Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of financial accounting, including the preparation and presentation of financial statements, such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Learn about the role of financial accounting in providing information to external users and aiding decision-making by various stakeholders.