Topic 2: Basic Principles of Book-Keeping – Book Keeping Notes Form One New Syllabus
Introduction
The basic principles of book keeping provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge of maintaining appropriate financial records, complying with regulations and making informed decision.
Basic Accounting Concepts and Principles
Accounting concepts
These are guidelines that are concerned with recording of transactions and preparation of financial statements. lay down the foundation for accounting principles.
Accounting principles
Are the rules of action or conduct which are generally accepted and adopted by accountants worldwide in theory and procedure of recording accounting transactions.
They are basic guidelines that provide standards for specific accounting practices and procedures. They assure uniformity and understandability.
Book keeping Principles
Refers to the various frameworks which guide the practice of accounting.
Regulatory framework governing financial accounting practices
1. FASB (financial Accounting, Standards Board): is the organization responsible for setting accounting standards in the United States.
2. (GAAP) General Accepted Accounting Principles
refers to a common set of accounting rules, standards, and procedures used for financial reporting in a specific country, mainly in the United States.
3. (IFRS) International Financial Reporting Standards
these are sets of global accounting rules that guide how companies prepare and present their financial statements.
4. (IAS) International Accounting Standards
are set of rules and guidelines for financial reporting that aim to make company accounts understandable, comparable and transparent across different countries.
5. (NBAA) National Board of Accountants and Auditors
is the board responsible for reviewing and checking the quality of works done by accountants if they meet all the established quality standards. This board is found in Tanzania Only.
- NBAA also involve in authorize and approval professional accountants in the country though attend several examination The highest level of qualification is known as Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
The following are the most important accounting concepts that an accountant must know and follow while recording business transactions and preparing the financial statements;
1. MONETARY UNIT CONCEPT/ MONEY MEASUEREMNT CONCEPT
According to this concept, a business transaction will always be recorded and can be expressed in terms of money. most countries would require that financial statements are presented in their local currency, example Tanzanian Shillings (TZS).
- This principle implies that only measurable and quantifiable economic events should be recognized and reported in the financial statements.
- Items that cannot be quantified in monetary in monetary terms are not recorded in financial statements
- It ensures that financial information is recorded, measured, and reported consistently, allowing for meaningful analysis and decision-making.
2. BUSINESS ENTITY CONCEPT
According to this concept, the owner or proprietor of a business is always separated and distinct from the business or enterprise.
- Eg. the business and the proprietor who own the business are regarded as two separate parties.
- Therefore, the transactions between the owners and the business are also recorded. For example, when a person brings capital into the business or withdraws capital from business are recorded.
- Amounts due from the business to the owners are shown as a liability from the business to the owners, i.e., capital contributed by the owners.
- Personal assets and liabilities as well as income and expenses are not recognized in the business financial statements. The statement of financial position will only show business assets and liabilities.
3. MATCHING CONCEPT
This concept implies that revenues should be matched against expenses/costs in order to determine the profit or loss for the particular accounting period.
- The principle aims to achieve a proper matching of expenses with the revenues earned during a specific period.
4. REALIZATION CONCEPT/REVENUE RECOGNITION CONCEPT
According to this concept revenue is recognized when a sale is made or an accountant only recognizes a profit when the goods are sold or services are rendered.
Revenue should be recognized when it both realized or realisable and earned. This occurs when the following criteria met:
- Identification of the contract: there should be a legally enforceable agreement between the seller and the buyer, outlining the rights and obligations of both parties.
- Delivery of goods or services: the seller has transferred control of the goods or services to the buyer.
- Determination of the transaction price: it includes consideration received or expected to be received from the buyer in exchange for the goods or services.
- Collectability probability: it is probable that the seller will collect the amount he or she is entitled to receive from the buyer.
- It provides guidance on when to recognize revenue and how to measure
- It ensures that revenue is reported accurately and in the appropriate
5. PERIODICITY CONCEPT/ TIME PERIOD CONCEPT
This concept state that the financial activities of a business should be divided into specific and meaningful time periods for reporting purposes.
- Under this principle, the financial year is divided into shorter periods, such as months, quarters or years, depending on the reporting requirements and industry practices.
- This concept helps to facilitate the analysis and comparison of financial information over different periods
- It allows stakeholders to assess the business performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions based on up-to-date information.
6. DUAL ASPECT CONCEPT/DUALITY CONCEPT
This basic concept in accounts which states that every transaction must be recorded twice. This is the basic concept in accounting.
- According to this concept every business has two aspects namely; the receiving and giving aspect.
- The business is represented by assets and liabilities but they are always opposite and equal, and each transaction that an entity enters into affects the financial records in two ways.
- These two effects are equal and opposite and, as such, the following fundamental accounting equation will always be maintained.
- The accounting equation is a fundamental expression of the fact that any point in time the assets of the entity will be equal to its liabilities plus its equity(capital).
Assets = Capital + Liabilities
7. GOING CONCERN CONCEPT/CONTINUITY ASUMPTION
According to this concept, it is assumed that the business will continue to operate for the foreseeable future.
- It means that the business will continue to operate or exist for the long period of There is no intention or necessity of closing down the business in near future.
- The going concern principle is significant in assessing the financial health and viability of a business.
- It allows stakeholders to make informed decisions based on the assumption that the enterprise will continue its operations in the foreseeable future.
8. HISTORICAL COST CONCEPT/COST CONCEPT
This concepts state that, assets should be recorded and reported at their original cost when acquired by an enterprise.
- According to this concept, transactions are records in the books of accounts at the amount actually involved or incurred.
- It reflects the actual resources expended by the enterprise at the time of acquisition in the financial position.
- It avoids general estimates of an assets value and prevents manipulation of reported figures based on market fluctuations.
- However, critics argue that the historical cost concept may not provide a relevant and accurate representation of an assets true value, particularly for long assets like property, plant, and equipment.
9. VERIFIABILITY CONCEPT
This concept requires that accounting data are subject to verification by any person in the future and the data are the proof or evidence of the specific transaction.
- So, for the best interest of the business there must be some documentary evidence for each and every transaction of an enterprise for future reference and only then those data may be considered as reliable.
10. PRUDENCE CONCEPT/CONSERVATISM PRINCIPLE
This concept states that an entity must not overestimate its revenues, assets and profits besides this it must not underestimate its liabilities, losses and expenses.
- In other words, it is better to make mistakes on the side of understating assets and revenues or overstating liabilities and expenses rather than overstating assets and revenues or understating liabilities and expenses.
- Prudence principle helps to ensure that financial statements are not too optimistic or
- By recognizing potential losses or risks more quickly and being cautions in revenue
- The principle aims to balance between caution and providing a true and fair view of an entity’s financial position and performance.
11. ACCRUAL CONCEPT
This concept state that revenue is recognized when they are earned, and expenses are recognized when they are incurred. Regardless of when cash is received or paid. The key principles of accrual basis of accounting include:
(a) Revenue recognition:
Revenue is recognized when it is earned, meaning when goods are delivered, services are rendered or contractual obligations are fulfilled.it is recognized even if payment is not received at that time.
- This principle ensure that revenue is matched with the period in which it is
(b) Expenses recognition:
Expenses are recognized when they are incurred. Meaning when goods or services are received or consumed, regardless of when payment is made.
- This principle ensures that expenses are matched with the related revenue or the period in which they contribute in generating revenue.
12. MATERIALITY CONCEPT
Means that all important information that could influence the decisions of the user like investors, creditors or management should be included in the financial statements.
- It allows accountants to focus on reporting information that is relevant and
- If an item is material, it must be reported. If its immaterial (too small or insignificant) it can be ignored or grouped with other items.
- This principle encourages someone to exercise professional judgement in determining material information that requires clear and transparent disclosure in the financial
13. FULL DISCLOSURE PRINCIPLE
Suggests that, every financial statement should fully disclose all relevant information for all interested parties like investors, lenders, creditors and shareholders to see.
- Full disclosure means that, there should be full, fair and adequate disclosure of accounting information.
- Adequate means; sufficient set of information to be Fair indicates an equitable treatment of users.
- Full refers to complete and detailed presentation of information.
- This is important because shareholders would like to know profitability of the firm while the creditors would like to know the solvency of the business.
14. CONSISTENCY PRINCIPLE
It states that an entity should not change its accounting methods frequent from one period to another.
- state that once an accounting method has been chosen and applied, it should be consistently used for similar transactions and events is subsequent periods.
- Consistency in accounting allows for better comparability of financial
- Enable users to make meaningful comparisons and assessments of an entity financial performance and position over time.
- It is important to note that the consistency principle does not mean that accounting methods cannot be changed or updated.
- Changes should be made with careful consideration and with the aim of improving the relevance and reliability of financial information.
RELEVANCE OF ACCOUNTING CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES IN BOOK-KEEPING