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20 Accountancy

Summary with Reference to Learning Objectives

1. Meaning of Accounting : Accounting is a process of identifying, measuring,
recording the business transactions and communicating thereof the required
information to the interested users.
2. Accounting as a source of information : Accounting as a source of information
system is the process of identifying, measuring, recording and communicating
the economic events of an organisation to interested users of the information.
3. Users of accounting information : Accounting plays a significant role in society
by 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.
4. Qualitative characteristics of Accounting : To make accounting information
decision useful, it should possess the following qualitative characteristics.
• Reliability • Understandability
• Relevance • Comparability
5. 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.
6. 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
1. Define accounting.
2. State the end product of financial accounting.
3. Enumerate main objectives of accounting.
4. Who are the users of accounting information.
5. State the nature of accounting information required by long-term lenders.
6. Who are the external users of information?
7. Enumerate information needs of management.
8. Give any three examples of revenues.
9. Distinguish between debtors and creditors; profit and gain
10. ‘Accounting information should be comparable’. Do you agree with this
statement. Give two reasons.

2018-19