Chapter 1
Accounting and the business environment Learning Objectives
1. Use accounting vocabulary
2. Apply accounting concepts and principles
3. Use the accounting equation
4. Analyse business transactions
5. Prepare the financial statements
6. Evaluate business performance
Horngren, Best, Fraser, Willett: Accounting 6e © 2010 Pearson Australia
Objective 1
Use accounting vocabulary.
Horngren, Best, Fraser, Willett: Accounting 6e © 2010 Pearson Australia
Accounting... is an information system that... measures business activities, processes information, and... communicates financial information.
And is called the language of business.
Horngren, Best, Fraser, Willett: Accounting 6e © 2010 Pearson Australia
Accounting Information and
Its Users
External users make decisions about the entity.
Internal users make decisions for the entity.
e.g. Investors
e.g. Management
This is
Financial
Accounting
This is
Management
Accounting
Horngren, Best, Fraser, Willett: Accounting 6e © 2010 Pearson Australia
Types of Business
Organisations
Proprietorships
(sole traders)
Partnerships
Companies
Horngren, Best, Fraser, Willett: Accounting 6e © 2010 Pearson Australia
Proprietorships
What are some advantages?
– total undivided authority
– no restrictions on type of business – must be legal
What are some disadvantages?
– unlimited liability
– limitation on size – fundraising power
Horngren, Best, Fraser, Willett: Accounting 6e © 2010 Pearson Australia
Partnerships
What are some advantages?
– better credit standing - possibly
– more brain power, but consultation with partners required
What are some disadvantages?
– unlimited personal liability for general partners – need for written partnership agreement
Horngren, Best, Fraser, Willett: Accounting 6e © 2010 Pearson Australia
Companies
–
–
–
–
–
What are some advantages?