ACCOUNTING for Everyone

The Longest Running Online Certified Bookkeeping Course

Author: Dennis Smith

  • What is Amortization: A Clear Explanation

    What is Amortization: A Clear Explanation

    Amortization is a term that is often used in the world of finance and accounting. It refers to the process of spreading out the cost of an asset over a period of time. This can be useful for businesses and individuals who want to make large purchases but cannot afford to pay for them all…

  • What is Bank Reconciliation: Understanding the Basics

    What is Bank Reconciliation: Understanding the Basics

    Bank reconciliation is a process that ensures the accuracy of a company’s financial records. It involves comparing the bank statement with the company’s accounting records to identify any discrepancies between the two. The purpose of bank reconciliation is to ensure that all transactions have been recorded correctly and that the company’s financial statements are accurate.…

  • What is Deferred Revenue Expenditure: A Clear Explanation

    What is Deferred Revenue Expenditure: A Clear Explanation

    Deferred revenue expenditure is an important concept in accounting. It refers to expenses that are incurred in one accounting period but are not recognized as expenses until a later period. This is because the benefits of the expenditure are expected to be realized over a period of time, rather than immediately. Understanding deferred revenue expenditure…

  • What is Deferred Tax Liability: Clear Explanation and Examples

    What is Deferred Tax Liability: Clear Explanation and Examples

    Deferred tax liability is an accounting concept that refers to the future tax obligations of a company. It arises when a company’s taxable income is lower than its accounting income, resulting in lower taxes paid in the current period but higher taxes paid in the future. This temporary difference between the accounting and tax income…

  • What is RAROC: Understanding Risk-Adjusted Return on Capital

    What is RAROC: Understanding Risk-Adjusted Return on Capital

    RAROC, or Risk-Adjusted Return on Capital, is a financial measure that has gained significant attention in recent years. It is a tool used to evaluate the risk-adjusted profitability of a project or investment. RAROC is widely used in the banking industry. RAROC has become a critical component of financial analysis. It is used for decision-making,…

  • What is ROE? Understanding Return on Equity

    What is ROE? Understanding Return on Equity

    Return on Equity (ROE) is a financial metric used to measure a company’s profitability. It calculates how much profit the company generates for each dollar of shareholder equity. It is a critical indicator of a company’s financial health. Investors and analysts often use it to evaluate a company’s performance and make investment decisions. Understanding ROE…

  • What is Subsistence? A Clear Explanation

    What is Subsistence? A Clear Explanation

    Subsistence refers to the basic needs and necessities of life, such as food, shelter, and clothing. It is the minimum level of living that is required for survival. Subsistence is the foundation for survival, and it is the starting point for any society to build upon. Understanding subsistence is crucial for understanding the way people…

  • Fixed Asset Register: Definition and Importance

    Fixed Asset Register: Definition and Importance

    A Fixed Asset Register is a crucial tool that organizations use to track and manage their fixed assets. A fixed asset is an asset that an organization purchases and intends to use for a long period, such as buildings, machinery, or vehicles. Fixed assets are essential to an organization’s operations. Keeping track of them is…

  • What is the Balance Sheet: A Clear Explanation

    What is the Balance Sheet: A Clear Explanation

    A balance sheet is a financial statement that provides a snapshot of a company’s financial position at a specific point in time. It is one of the three primary financial statements used by investors, creditors, and analysts to evaluate a company’s financial health and performance. The balance sheet provides information on a company’s assets, liabilities,…

  • What is a Cash Flow Statement: Understanding the Basics

    What is a Cash Flow Statement: Understanding the Basics

    A cash flow statement is a financial statement that provides an overview of a company’s cash inflows and outflows over a specific period. It is a crucial tool for businesses to understand their financial health and to make informed decisions. The statement provides a snapshot of a company’s liquidity, showing how much cash is generated,…

  • What is a Contra Account: Definition and Explanation

    What is a Contra Account: Definition and Explanation

    Contra accounts are an essential part of accounting that are often misunderstood or overlooked. A contra account is a type of account that is used to offset the balance of another account. This means that when a transaction is recorded in one account, a corresponding transaction is recorded in the contra account to balance it…

  • What is a Dividend Growth Model: A Clear Explanation

    What is a Dividend Growth Model: A Clear Explanation

    A dividend growth model is a financial tool used to analyze and forecast a company’s future dividend payments. It is a popular method used by investors to evaluate the potential returns of a stock investment. The model takes into account the company’s historical dividend payments, as well as its earnings and growth prospects, to estimate…

  • What is a Normative Theory in Accounting?

    What is a Normative Theory in Accounting?

    Normative accounting theory is a branch of accounting theory that deals with the ideal or desirable principles and standards for financial reporting. It is concerned with how things should be done rather than how they are done. Normative accounting theory aims to provide guidance on the best accounting practices that will result in the most…

  • What is a Trial Balance in Accounting: A Clear Explanation

    What is a Trial Balance in Accounting: A Clear Explanation

    A trial balance is a fundamental tool in accounting that provides an overview of a company’s financial health. It is a statement of all the general ledger accounts that a company uses to record its financial transactions. The trial balance is used to ensure that the total debits equal the total credits and that all…

  • What is an EA in Accounting: Definition and Role

    What is an EA in Accounting: Definition and Role

    An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a tax professional who is authorized by the US government to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). EAs are trained in tax law and are experts in tax preparation and planning. They are authorized to prepare tax returns, represent taxpayers in IRS audits, and provide tax advice to…

  • What is an Itinerant Trade: Definition and Examples

    What is an Itinerant Trade: Definition and Examples

    Itinerant trade is a type of commerce that involves traveling from place to place to sell goods or services. It is a form of retail that is not fixed to a specific location, and it can take many different forms. Understanding itinerant trade can provide insight into the history of commerce and the ways in…

  • What is an Over Accrual: Definition and Examples

    What is an Over Accrual: Definition and Examples

    An over accrual is a concept in accounting where a company records expenses that have not been incurred or revenues that have not been earned. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, such as incorrect estimates, errors in recording transactions, or changes in business circumstances. Over accruals can have significant implications on a…

  • What is Bad Debt Expense: A Clear Explanation

    What is Bad Debt Expense: A Clear Explanation

    Bad debt expense describes losses a company records when customers do not pay what they owe. It is common for any business that sells on credit, and it can materially affect reported profit and liquidity. Understanding how to estimate, record, and manage bad debt helps protect cash flow and improves the accuracy of financial statements.…

  • What is Capital Budgeting: A Clear and Neutral Explanation

    What is Capital Budgeting: A Clear and Neutral Explanation

    Capital budgeting is a process that helps businesses identify and evaluate potential investments or projects that require significant capital expenditures. The primary purpose of capital budgeting is to determine whether a project is viable and financially feasible before committing resources to it. By analyzing the expected costs and benefits of a project, businesses can make…

  • What is a Compound Journal Entry: A Clear Explanation

    What is a Compound Journal Entry: A Clear Explanation

    Compound journal entry is an important concept in accounting that is used to record complex transactions that involve multiple accounts. It is a type of journal entry that includes more than one debit or credit, and is used to accurately reflect the financial impact of a transaction on a company’s accounts. Understanding compound journal entries…