Problem Solving Survival Guide to accompany Financial Accounting, 8th Edition

SUMMARY OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Explain what an account is and how it helps in the recording process. An account is a record of increases and decreases in specific asset, liability, and stockholders' equity items.
2. Define debits and credits and explain their use in recording business transactions. The terms debit and credit are synonymous with left and right. Assets, dividends, and expenses are increased by debits and decreased by credits. Liabilities, common stock, retained earnings, and revenues are increased by credits and decreased by debits.
3. Identify the basic steps in the recording process. The basic steps in the recording process are: (a) analyze each transaction in terms of its effect on the accounts, (b) enter the transaction information in a journal, (c) transfer the journal information to the appropriate accounts in the ledger.
4. Explain what a journal is and how it helps in the recording process. The initial accounting record of a transaction is entered in a journal before the data are entered in the accounts. A journal (a) discloses in one place the complete effect of a transaction, (b) provides a chronological record of transactions, and (c) prevents or locates errors because the debit and credit amounts for each entry can be readily compared.
5. Explain what a ledger is and how it helps in the recording process. The ledger is the entire group of accounts maintained by a company. The ledger keeps in one place all the information about changes in specific account balances. ...