providing information to management at all levels and to those having a direct financial interest in the enterprise, such as present and potential investors and creditors. Accounting information is also important to those having indirect financial interest, such as regulatory agencies, tax authorities, customers, labour unions, trade associations, stock exchanges and others. . Qualitative characteristics of Accounting : To make accounting information decision useful, it should possess the following qualitative characteristics.
Reliability Understandability Relevance Comparability . Objective of accounting : The primary objectives of accounting are to : maintain records of business; calculate profit or loss; depict the financial position; and make information available to various groups and users. . Role of accounting : Accounting is not an end in itself.
It is a means to an end. It plays the role of a : Language of a business Historical record Current economic reality Information system Service to users Questions for Practice Short Answers . Define accounting. State what is end product of financial accounting.
. Enumerate main objectives of accounting. . Who are the users of accounting information.
. State the nature of accounting information required by long-term lenders. . Who are the external users of information?
. Enumerate information needs of management. . Give any three examples of revenues.
. Distinguish between debtors and creditors; profit and gain . ‘Accounting information should be comparable’. Do you agree with this statement.
Give two reasons. . If the accounting information is not clearly presented, which of the qualitative characteristic of the accounting information is violated? .
“The role of accounting has changed over the period of time”- Do you agree? Explain. . Giving examples, explain each of the following accounting terms : Fixed assets Revenue Expenses Short-term liability Capital .
Define revenues and expenses? . What is the primiary reason for the business students and others to familiarise themselves with the accounting discipline? Long Answers .
What is accounting? Define its objectives. Explain the factors which necessitated systematic accounting. .
Describe the informational needs of external users. . What do you mean by an asset and what are different