Key Terms: Chapter Four

accounting cycle

The procedures needed to process transactions through an accounting system; including journalization, posting, adjusting, and preparing financial statements

capital stock

A non-specific reference to the ownership interests of shareholders in a corporation

closing process

The process by which temporary accounts are "zeroed" out and the effects transferred to retained earnings

current assets

Assets that will be converted into cash or consumed within one year or the operating cycle, whichever is longer

current liabilities

Obligations that will be liquidated within one year or the operating cycle, whichever is longer

current ratio

A measure of liquidity, calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities

full disclosure principle

All relevant facts that would influence investors' and creditors' judgments about the company are disclosed in the financial statements or related notes

income summary

A non-financial statement account used only to facilitate the closing process by summarizing and zeroing-out the revenue and expense accounts

intangible asset

Lack physical existence, and include items like purchased patents and copyrights

liquidity

The ability of a firm to meet its near-term obligations as they come due

long-term investments

Investments made for long-term holding purposes; including land for speculation, securities of other companies, etc.

long-term liabilities

Any obligation that is not current, and include bank loans, mortgage notes, and the like

nominal accounts

Accounts that will be reset to a zero balance with each new accounting period; revenue, expense, and dividend accounts (also called "temporary" accounts)

operating cycle

The period of time it takes to convert cash back into cash (i.e., purchase inventory, sell the inventory on account, and collect the receivable)

other assets

The category of a classified balance sheet for reporting assets that are not logically attached to one of the other specific sections

post-closing trial balance

Reveals the balance of accounts after the closing process, and consists of balance sheet accounts only

property, plant, & equipment

Assets with long lives that will be used in an entity's production processes; land, buildings, and equipment

quick ratio

An extreme measure of liquidity, calculated by dividing quick assets (cash, short-term investments, and accounts receivable) by current liabilities

real accounts

Asset, liability, and equity accounts; balances are carried forward from the end of one period into the beginning of the next period

reversing entry

Optional accounting procedure which may prove useful in simplifying record keeping; a journal entry to "undo" an adjusting entry

temporary accounts

Accounts that will be reset to a zero balance with each new accounting period; revenue, expense, and dividend accounts (also called "nominal" accounts)

working capital

The difference between current assets and current liabilities