Master the Essentials

Overview of Accounting

• Accounting is the process of recording financial transactions for a business.
• The accounting process includes summarizing, analyzing, and reporting financial transactions to oversight agencies, regulators, and tax collection entities.
• Financial statements are used to summarize a company's operations, financial position, and cash flows.
• Accounting is a key function for almost any business, handled by bookkeepers, accountants, and finance departments.
• Various streams of accounting, such as cost and managerial accounting, help management make informed business decisions.
• The history of accounting dates back to ancient civilizations, but modern accounting as a profession has only been around since the early 19th century.
• There are several broad groups that most accountants can be grouped into, including financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, and tax accounting.
• Advanced accounting is typically handled by qualified accountants with designations such as CPA or CMA.
• The Big Four accounting firms conduct audit, consulting, tax advisory, and other services.
• Accountants use generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) or international financial reporting standards (IFRS) when preparing financial statements.
• Accounting software is used to aid in accounting work, with different solutions for small and large businesses.
• Accounting is critical for the smooth functioning of modern finance, providing investors with timely and accurate financial information, and companies' executives with the transparency needed to manage risks or plan projects.