FABM-1 - Module 1 - Intro To Accounting
FABM-1 - Module 1 - Intro To Accounting
INTRODUCTION TO ACCOUNTING
Module Objectives:
At the end of the module, the students must be able to:
a. Define Accounting and its nature;
b. Explain the functions of accounting in business;
c. Narrate the origin and history of accounting;
d. Differentiate the different branches of accounting;
e. Differentiate the forms of business organization.
ACCOUNTING, DEFINED
It is a service activity, its function is to provide quantitative information, primarily financial in nature,
about economic entities, that is intended to be useful in making economic decisions (Accounting
Standards Council- ASC).
Note: The most comprehensive definition is the one given by AICPA. It defines the entire process
within which the “accounting cycle” is observed.
NATURE OF ACCOUNTING
The process of measuring involves the determination of the monetary amounts at which the
transactions are recorded in the books of the business.
Note: In accordance with the Monetary Unit Principle, the amounts must be in terms of the
Philippine Currency.
The process of classifying involves the grouping of similar transactions and positing them to their
respective ledger accounts. Ex. All cash transactions must be posted to “Cash Ledger”. The
process is called “Posting to the Ledger” and the tool used is called “Ledger”.
a. Income Statement/ Statement of Comprehensive Income (SCI)- Shows the financial information
related to the operations of the business: Income, Other Comprehensive Incomes, Expense, Other
Comprehensive Expenses, and Net income/ Net Loss.
Income- refers to any increase in the capital other than those invested or contributed by the
owner/s. Increases from the normal operations of the business.
Expense- refers to any decrease in the capital other than those drawn by the owner/s.
b. Statement of Changes in Owners Equity (SCOE)- Shows the changes in the capital or equity
account through: Investments by the owner, Withdrawals by the owner, Net Income, and Net
Loss.
Investments or Contributions- refers to the increment in the capital caused by the owner/s.
Example: Kenny invested P 1 Million Pesos in his business. This will increase the capital of the
business and the increase is brought about by Kenny, the owner.
Withdrawals or Drawings- refers to the decrement in the capital caused by the owner/s. Example:
Kenny used withdrew and used P 50,000 pesos for the hospitalization expense of his dog. The
withdrawal by Kenny would necessarily decrease the capital of the business.
c. Balance Sheet/ Statement of Financial Position (SFP)- Shows the financial position (Liquidity or
Solvency) of the business through its economic resources which may be brought about by debts
or equity accounts: Asset= Liability + Capital.
Asset- refers to the resources of the business, resulting from past transactions, and are expected to
bring economic benefits for the business.
Liability- refers to the debts or obligations of the business, resulting from past transactions, and are
expected to bring economic disadvantage to the business on the event that these obligations
become due.
Capital- refers to the residual interest of the owner after all liabilities of the business are settled.
Note: The business is liquid if it has enough assets to cover for its short-term obligations. On the
other hand, the business is solvent if it has enough assets to pay for its long-term obligations.
d. Statement of Cash Flows(SCF)- Shows the changes in the cash account brought about by actual
cash inflows and cash outflows.
Cash inflow- refers to the transactions which increased the cash account.
Cash outflow- refers to the transactions which decreased the cash account.
e. Notes to Financial Statements- Shows additional disclosure of certain information related to the
first four Financial Statements.
The process of interpretation involves the analysis of financial information to give meaning for such
figures and become more useful for certain decisions made in the business or by other external
users of financial information. (This will be discussed in FABM 2 and Business Finance)
A. IDENTIFYING
1. Identifying Business Transactions.
2. Measuring Business Transactions.
B. RECORDING
1. Journalizing Business Transactions.
C. CLASSIFYING
1. Posting the accounts to their respective ledgers.
D. SUMMARIZING
1. Preparation of Unadjusted Trial Balance.
2. Identifying and correcting errors.
3. Preparing adjusting entries.
4. Preparation of Adjusted Trial Balance.
5. Preparation of Worksheet.
E. COMMUNICATING
1. Preparation of Financial Statements.
2. Preparation of Closing Entries.
3. Preparation of Post-closing Trial Balance.
For some, the first name that might come to mind when referencing early accounting history is
Luca Pacioli. Pacioli described double-entry bookkeeping in his “Summa de Arithmetica, Geometria,
Proportioni et Proportionalita” back in 1494. While that may sound like a long time ago, accounting
may have roots that trace back even earlier. Accounting has been around for centuries. It’s a critical
part of the business, record-keeping, and life in general. The first record of accounting occurred
thousands of years ago in Mesopotamia and has evolved into the intricate element of business and
life that it is today. Below is an informative guide that explores a short history of how accounting has
evolved over thousands of years.
Accounting basics are also mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible in the Book of
Matthew as well as in other religious texts such as the Qur’an.
When you increase assets, the change in the account is a debit, because something must be
due for that increase (the price of the asset). Conversely, an increase in liabilities is a credit because
it signifies an amount that someone else has loaned to you and which you used to purchase
something (the cause of the corresponding debit in the assets account).
The terms debit and credit signify actual accounting functions, both of which cause increases
and decreases in accounts, depending on the type of account. That's why simply using "increase"
and "decrease" to signify changes to accounts wouldn't work.
When it comes to the DR and CR abbreviations for debit and credit, a few theories exist. One
theory asserts that the DR and CR come from the Latin past participles of debitum and creditum,
which are debere and credere, respectively. Another theory is that DR stands for "debit record" and
CR stands for "credit record." Finally, some believe the DR notation is short for "debtor" and CR is short
for "creditor."
BRANCHES OF ACCOUNTING
Accounting is divided into several branches to better serve the needs of different users with varying
information needs. These branches sometimes overlap and they are often closely intertwined.
Throughout time, accounting expanded to the following different fields of specializations:
1. Financial Accounting
Financial accounting is the broadest branch and is focused on the needs of external (outside)
users and is primarily concerned with processing historical data. Although financial accounting
generally meets the needs of external users, internal users of accounting information also use this
information for their decision-making needs. Financial accounting is primarily concerned with the
recognition, measurement and communication of economic activities. This information is
communicated in a complete set of financial statements that are reported periodically. These
financial statements are standardized and general to ensure understand ability and
comparability with financial statements of other enterprises. Financial accounting conforms to
Fundamentals of Accountancy, Business & Management - 1 Page 5 of 12
Fundamentals of Accountancy, Business and
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Management – 1
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: Grade 11- ABM
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
4. Government Accounting
Government accounting is the process of recording, analyzing, classifying, summarizing,
communicating and interpreting financial information about the government in aggregate and in
detail reflecting transactions and other economic events involving the receipt, spending, transfer,
usability and disposition of assets and liabilities. This branch of accounting deals with how the
funds of the government are recorded and reported.
5. Auditing
There are three types of auditing: external, internal, and government auditing.
a. External auditing refers to the examination of financial statements by an independent CPA
(Certified Public Accountant) with the purpose of expressing an opinion as to fairness of
presentation and compliance with the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
The audit does not cover 100% of the accounting records but the CPA reviews a selected
sample of these records and issues an audit report.
b. Internal auditing deals with determining the operational efficiency of the company regarding
the protection of the company’s assets, accuracy and reliability of the accounting data, and
adherence to certain management policies. It focuses on evaluating the adequacy of a
company's internal control structure by testing segregation of duties, policies and procedures,
degrees of authorization, and other controls implemented by management.
Internal Audit is subdivided into Operational Audit and Compliance Audit. Operational Audit also
known as management audits and performance audits is the examination of all or part of an
organization for the purpose of determining the effectiveness and/or efficiency of its operations.
On the other hand, Compliance Audit is performed to determine whether the auditee is following
specific procedures or rules set down by some higher authority. This may be performed for both
private businesses and a government unit.
c. Government Auditing involves the determination of whether government funds are being
handled properly and in compliance with existing laws and whether programs are being
conducted efficiently and economically. In the Philippines, government audit is usually
performed by the Commission on Audit (COA).
6. Tax Accounting
Tax accounting helps clients follow rules set by tax authorities. It includes tax planning and
preparation of tax returns. It also involves determination of income tax and other taxes, tax
advisory services such as ways to minimize taxes legally, evaluation of the consequences of tax
decisions, and other tax-related matters. Tax accounting has also expanded to tax auditing with
the purpose of checking the organization’s compliance with established tax laws, rules and
regulations to ascertain their exposures to penalties and violations.
7. Accounting Education
This branch of accounting deals with developing future accountants by creating relevant
accounting curriculum. Accounting professionals can become faculty members of educational
institutions. Accounting educators contribute to the development of the profession through their
effective teaching, publications of their research and influencing students to pursue careers in
accounting. Accounting teachers share their knowledge on accounting so that students are
informed of the importance of accounting and its use in our daily lives.
8. Accounting Research
Accounting research focuses on the search for new knowledge on the effects of economic
events on the process of summarizing, analyzing, verifying, and reporting standardized financial
information, and on the effects of reported information on economic events. Researchers
typically choose a subject area and a methodology on which to focus their efforts. The subject
matter of accounting research may include information systems, auditing and assurance,
corporate governance, financials, managerial, and tax. Accounting research plays an essential
part in creating new knowledge. Academic accounting research "addresses all aspects of the
accounting profession" using a scientific method. Practicing accountants also conduct
accounting research that focuses on solving problems for a client or group of clients. The
Accounting research helps standard-setting bodies around the world to develop new standards
that will address recent issues or trend in global business
9. Fund Accounting
This is used by non-stock non-profit organization including government. This is an art of recording,
classifying, controlling and ensuring that funds are used in accordance with the specifications set
by the donors.
The purpose of segregating these funds is to help the entity in maintaining control of its resources
and to measure success in attaining its various objectives.
It focuses on the analysis and investigation of financial evidence as testimonies on court for the
computation of damages to affected parties.
The external users of accounting information are those individuals or organizations outside a
company who are interested in its financial information. Examples of these external users are
potential investors, suppliers and government agencies.
Internal and external users can also be classified as primary or secondary users. Primary users are the
direct receivers of the general financial statements. The other users are classified under secondary
users.
Advantages:
a. Ease of Formation. It is the easiest form of business organization to form because only one
person decides when to engage in business.
b. Flexibility and string internal control. The owner is directly involved in business operations
enabling him to quickly respond to business conditions.
c. Ease of dissolution. Since only one person decides when to dissolve or stop the business, it is
very easy to dissolve the business.
Disadvantages:
a. Unlimited liability. The owner is personally responsible for the debts of the business. Personal
assets are at risk to satisfy business debts.
b. Less credit desirability and less capital raising capacity. The size of the business and extent of
its operation entirely depends upon the personal resources of the proprietor which is usually
limited.
c. Limited talent. Business success is entirely dependent upon the business acumen of the
proprietor.
d. Risk of mixing personal and business accounts resulting in an informal accounting of accounts.
e. Limited life. A proprietorship business is automatically dissolved upon the death of the owner.
f. Unlimited liability. In law, the business and the proprietor are considered one and the same.
Business creditors can run after him if the business gets bankrupt. Big businesses usually start as
sole proprietorship.
Examples of sole proprietorship include small businesses like Sari-Sari stores, Ukay-Ukay stores (or
surplus stores), etc.
2. Partnership
Two or more persons own a single business. The owners are called partners. Partnership is created
by the mere agreement of the partners. From then, the partners contribute resources and industry
into the common fund and divide the profits of the venture among themselves based on their
agreement.
Advantages:
a. Ease of formation. A mere agreement between partners creates a partnership.
b. Higher ability to raise funds with more owners; hence, better credit and capital raising
capacity.
c. Tax exemption of some partnerships.
Disadvantages:
a. Unlimited liability. This is applicable to general partners who are liable in the partnership’s
unpaid debts to the extent of their personal assets. All partners are general partners unless
otherwise designated in the partnership agreement.
b. Limited life. The death, retirement, admission of a new partner or change in the partnership
agreement dissolves the partnership.
c. Partners are jointly liable to the actions of other partners because partnership is based on
mutual agency.
d. Instances of personal disagreements can occur and may spill over business matters.
The most common examples of partnerships are professional firms like Sycip, Gorres, Velayo and
Co. and Punongbayan and Araullo accounting firms.
3. Corporation
The Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines (RA 11232) under section 10 states that “any
person, partnership, association or corporation, singly or jointly with others but not more than
fifteen (15) in number, may organize a corporation for any lawful purpose or purposes”.
Corporations raise capital by issuing certificates of ownership called ”stocks” or “shares” to
interests persons. A person who bought these shares from the corporation is a shareholder. A
shareholder is a part owner of a corporation to the extent of the number of his shares.
For example, if Mr. JP owns 1,000 of the 10,000 shares of LAGAO Corporation, Mr. JP is considered
to own 1/10th (1,000/10,000) of the corporation.
Legally, a corporation is considered as a separate person with a separate identity from that of its
shareholders, when the corporation goes bankrupt, the shareholders would not be held liable to
creditors.
Profits of the corporations are distributed to shareholders in the form of “dividends”. Each
shareholder will receive a proportional amount of dividend depending on the number of shares
he has in the corporation.
Advantages:
a. Continuity of operations. In law, corporations have a life of up to 50 years, extendable to future
years.
b. Transferability of shares. A shareholder may sell his shares to another person without
unnecessarily dissolving the corporation. Shares may even be passed on as inheritance to
future generations. Hence, death of the shareholder does not extinguish his business interest to
the corporation.
c. Greater source of funds. A corporation can issue shares for additional financing. This is
particularly true with listed corporations or those sanctioned by the law to sell stocks to the
public.
d. Limited liability. The owners or shareholders are liable only to the extent of their subscriptions.
The creditors of the corporation cannot run after the personal assets of the shareholders in the
event of any unpaid liabilities of the corporations.
Disadvantages:
a. Formal formation requires more resources and is more difficult to organize.
b. Subject to heavier taxation.
c. Control is defined by ownership
d. Heavier regulations. Corporations are subject to stricter rules and regulations before their
issuance of securities to the public. They are also required to submit numerous government
reports.
Examples of corporation are big companies like San Miguel Corporation, Philex Mining
Corporation, SM Prime Holdings Corporations, television giants like ABS-CBN and GMA and
many others.
Fundamentals of Accountancy, Business & Management - 1 Page 10 of 12
Fundamentals of Accountancy, Business and
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Management – 1
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: Grade 11- ABM
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
4. Cooperatives
Firm owned, controlled, and operated by a group of users for their own benefit. Each member
contributes equity capital, and shares in the control of the firm on the basis of one-member, one-
vote principle (and not in proportion to his or her equity contribution).
5. Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are businesses that pool money from various investors. The manager of the fund who
is usually an investment expert invests the money of the fund to income producing properties such
as:
a. Real properties to earn rentals or appreciation in value
b. Stocks to earn dividends
c. Bonds, bank deposits and commercial papers or notes to earn interest
Interested investors buy ownership into the funds via units of participations. The units of
participations usually have fluctuating value depending on the value of the assets that the
mutual fund holds.
Short term service arrangements – services to clients is rendered instantly or up to a few days
1. Restaurants
2. Machine and repair shop
3. Laundry shop
4. Computer shop
5. Transport operators
6. Hotel operators
Long terms service arrangements – service engagement extends beyond months to years
1. Construction
2. Bank financing
3. Residential or commercial leasing
The income earned by the servicing firms is usually called service revenue or service fees.
2. Merchandising Business
Merchandising business buys from suppliers and sells merchandise to customers. It includes realty
business who sells capital goods (real properties) such as lots, house and lots and commercial
spaces, security dealers to various customers. Merchandising business may either be a small
business just like sari-sari store or it may be a big business just like SM Department store, Puregold or
Ace Hardware.
3. Manufacturing Business
Manufacturing business produces goods for sale. They buy raw materials and convert them to
finished products ready for sale.
Examples of manufacturing companies are furniture factories, breweries like San Miguel
Corporation, bakeries, book publishers like Real Excellence Publishing, beverage producers like
Coca-Cola Philippines and many others.
4. Agricultural Business
Agricultural businesses grow crops, fish and animals for sale.
Examples of agricultural companies are Banana industry just like Ban Wan Company in Davao,
the pineapple industry just like Dole Philippines in Bukidnon and many others.
Examples of power generating enterprises are Therma Marine Inc., Hedcor Inc., and Aboitiz
Power.
Examples of wasting asset companies are Philex Mining Corporation, Lepanto Mining Corporation,
Philippine National Oil Company Exploration Corporation and many others.
REFERENCES:
• Banggawan, R., Asuncion, D.(2017).Fundamentals of Accountancy, Business and
Management 1. Aurora Hill, Baguio City: Real Excellence Publishing.
• Fremont College. History of accounting. Retrieved from https://fremont.edu/history-of-
accounting/
• Investopedia (2020, January 9). Why Do Accountants Use Debit (DR) and Credit
(CR)?.Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/04/072304.asp
• Ferrer, R., Millan, Z.(2017). Fundamentals of Accountancy, Business and Management 1.
Bakakeng Sur, Baguio City: Bandolin Enterprise.
• Ong, F.(2016). Fundamentals of Accountancy, Business and Management 1. South Triangle,
Quezon City: C & E Publishing.
• Baysa, G., Lupisan, M.(2011). Accounting for Partnership and Corporation. Mandaluyong City:
Millenium books, Inc.