Accounting Terminologies


Cash
Money in hand and money deposited in banks

Internal Control
Policies and procedures designed to protect assets

Cash Receipts
Money received by a business

Cash Payments
Money paid out by a business

Segregation of Duties
Separating responsibilities to reduce fraud

Authorization
Approval before a transaction is carried out

Physical Control
Safeguarding assets physically | safes, locks

Fraud
Intentional deception for financial gain


Bank Reconciliation
A statement that explains differences between bank balance and cash book balance

Cash Book
Business record of cash and bank transactions

Bank Statement
Statement issued by the bank showing account activity

Deposits in Transit
Cash recorded by the business but not yet by the bank

Outstanding Cheques
Cheques issued but not yet cleared by the bank

Bank Charges
Fees deducted by the bank

Direct Deposit
Money paid directly into the bank by customers

Errors
Mistakes in bank or cash records


Petty Cash
Small amounts of cash kept for minor business expenses

Petty Cashier
Person responsible for petty cash

Imprest System
Petty cash system where a fixed float is maintained

Non-Imprest System
Petty cash system with no fixed balance

Petty Cash Voucher
Document used to record petty cash payments

Replenishment
Restoring petty cash to its original amount

Float
Fixed amount of money assigned to petty cash

Minor Expenses
Small, routine business costs


Accounts Receivable
Amounts owed to the business by customers

Credit Sale
Sale where payment is received later

Debtor
Customer who owes the business

Trade Receivable
Receivable arising from normal business operations

Credit Terms
Conditions for payment | e.g., n/30

Subsidiary Ledger
Detailed record of individual customer accounts

Control Account
Summary account in the general ledger

Collection
Process of collecting amounts due from customers


Notes Receivable
Written promises to receive a specific amount of money in the future

Promissory Note
A formal written promise to pay

Maker
Person who signs and promises to pay the note

Payee
Person or business receiving payment

Principal
Original amount of the note

Interest
Cost of borrowing money

Maturity Date
Date when the note is due

Term
Length of time of the note


Aging of Accounts Receivable
A schedule that classifies receivables based on how long they have been outstanding

Current
Amounts not yet overdue

Past Due
Amounts outstanding beyond the credit period

Net Realizable Value
Accounts Receivable minus Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Estimated Uncollectible
Portion of receivables expected not to be collected


Accounts Payable
Amounts a business owes to suppliers for goods or services bought on credit

Creditor
Person or business to whom money is owed

Trade Payables
Another name for accounts payable

Credit Purchase
Buying goods or services with payment to be made later

Current Liability
A liability due within one year

Invoice
A bill received from a supplier

Due Date
Date by which payment must be made


Notes Payable
Written promises to pay a specific amount at a future date

Promissory Note
A formal written agreement to repay borrowed money

Principal
Original amount borrowed

Interest
Cost of borrowing money

Maturity Date
Date the note must be repaid

Interest Rate
Percentage charged on the principal

Current Liability
Payable within one year

Long-Term Liability
Payable after one year


Simple Interest
Interest calculated on the principal only

Principal
Original amount borrowed or lent

Interest Rate
Percentage charged on principal

Interest
Cost of borrowing money

Time Period
Length of time the loan is outstanding

Interest Expense
Cost of borrowing money

Interest Payable
Accrued interest not yet paid

Amortization
Gradual repayment of a loan over time

Amortization Schedule
Table showing principal, interest, and balance per period


Credit Policy
Rules set by a business for granting credit to customers

Credit Sale
Sale where payment is made at a later date

Accounts Receivable
Amounts owed by customers

Credit Period
Time allowed for customers to pay

Credit Limit
Maximum credit allowed to a customer

Collection Policy
Procedures for collecting overdue debts

Bad Debts
Receivables that are unlikely to be collected

Cash Flow
Movement of cash into and out of a business

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