Chapter 02 – Analyzing and Recording Transactions
I. Analyzing and Recording Process
The accounting process identifies business transactions and events,
analyzes and records their effects, and summarizes and presents
information in reports and financial statements. The steps in the
accounting process that focus on analyzing and recording transactions
and events are: (1) record relevant transactions and events in a journal,
(2) post journal information to ledger accounts, and (3) prepare and
analyze the trial balance. Accounting records are informally referred to
as the accounting books, or simply the books.
A. Source documents identify and describe transactions and events.
Source documents are sources of accounting information and can
be either hard copy or electronic. Examples are sales tickets,
checks, purchase orders, bills from suppliers, employee earnings
records, and bank statements. Source documents provide objective
and reliable evidence about transactions and events.
B. The Account and Its Analysis.
1. An account is a record of increases and decreases in a specific
asset, liability, equity, revenue, or expense item. The general
ledger, is a record containing all accounts used by a company.
2. Accounts are arranged in three basic categories based on the
accounting equation. A separate account is kept for each of
the following:
a. Asset Accounts—resources owned or controlled by a
company that have expected future benefits; examples
include Cash, Accounts Receivable, Note Receivable,
Prepaid Accounts, Supplies, Equipment, Buildings, and
Land.
b. Liability Accounts—claims by creditors against assets;
obligations to transfer assets or provide products or
services to others; examples include Accounts Payable,
Note Payable, Unearned Revenue, and Accrued
Liabilities. Creditors are individuals or organizations that
have rights to receive payments from a company.
c. Equity Accounts—owner’s residual interest in the assets
of the business after deducting liabilities; examples
include Common Stock, Dividends, Revenues, and
Expenses.
II. Analyzing and Processing Transactions
A. Ledger and Chart of Accounts
1. A ledger (or general ledger) is the collection of all the
accounts a company uses.
2. The chart of accounts is a list of all ledger accounts with their
identification numbers.