The Accounting Study Guide: Accounting Basics and More
The demand for accountants is projected to grow by 4% through 2029. The tax code is thousands of pages long, and it seems to change every year.
Accountants help people navigate those changes. If you’re interested in accounting, then you’ll want to learn basic accounting tips to learn how accounting works.
Whether you want to turn it into a career or need small business accounting tips, this accounting study guide is for you.
Keep reading to learn the latest accounting tips.
- Bookkeeping vs. Accounting
Many people confuse accounting and bookkeeping. There main difference between the two is that bookkeepers manage the daily financial records. They record accounts payable, accounts receivable, and sometimes follow up on late invoices.
Accountants however take these daily finance records and turn them into reports. Accountants also handle taxes and financial audits for individuals and businesses, using likes of lease accounting software or other financial management tools to assist them in the record-to-report process. With an accountant, small businesses can get a clear picture of their financial situation and streamline many of their finance-related tasks.
If you want to further your learning in both basic accounting and bookkeeping, there are many certification courses that help you do that. Read the course details to find out more.
- Types of Accounting
If you want to make accounting your career, you have plenty of options. Did you know that there are different specializations in accounting?
Tax accounting is what you’d normally think of. There’s forensic accounting, where accountants review financial documents to uncover missing information. This is used in criminal cases such as tax evasion and fraud.
Financial accountants generate reports and financial statements. They usually work in businesses to develop financial strategies.
Cost accountants work in manufacturing. They provide reports, forecasts, and help managers make strategic decisions.
- Accounting Principles
Accountants don’t create reports based on their opinions. That would make the entire profession unreliable.
They use a set of best practices, called Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP. These best practices ensure that accountants use the same set of standards for consistency.
GAAP contains a set of principles and guidelines that any basic accounting guide should cover. The principle of regularity asks accountants not to deviate from rules and regulations.
These rules and regulations are applied consistently through the principle of consistency.
Perhaps one of the most important GAAP principles is the principle of good faith. This is where you have to assume that everyone involved in the process acts with integrity.
They don’t embellish costs or under report income to save money on taxes. Everyone is open and transparent.
Accounting Study Guide and Accounting Tips
Accounting doesn’t have to be complex, you just have to know the basics. In this accounting study guide, you learned how to manage your accounts. You know that you should always stick with established rules and principles to ensure your books are accurate.
You know the types of accounting, which covers some accounting exam tips you’ll need to pass. Even if you use the information here for small business accounting, you’ll have a better handle on your books.
For more business and education tips, check out the other articles on the blog today!