The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting Quotes

“Balance sheet accounts are never closed and their balances are carried forward from year to year, but you need to be sure the proper adjustments are made to place transactions in the correct year.”
― Lita Epstein, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting

“a trial balance is. Basically it’s a worksheet or report that lists all of the accounts in the general ledger, the monthly summary of account totals, and their year-to-date balances.”
― Lita Epstein, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting

“Basically you start this process from the bottom up. In other words, you check your balances in sub-ledgers or journals to be sure they are correct.”
― Lita Epstein, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting

“owner’s equity (net worth) = assets - liabilities Basically,”
― Lita Epstein, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting

“assets = liabilities + owner’s equity or”
― Lita Epstein, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting

“Few businesses record each individual expense payment or each individual sale in the general ledger. Instead businesses have subledgers for key accounts, known as control accounts, including the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable accounts. Working”
― Lita Epstein, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting

“A payoff of loan principal reduces the liability section of the balance sheet, and a payment of interest increases the expense section of the profit and loss (P&L) statement.”
― Lita Epstein, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting

“An accountant is someone who knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing.”
― Lita Epstein, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting

“The balance sheet is made up of assets, liabilities, and equity. The P&L statement includes income, cost of sales, and expenses.”
― Lita Epstein, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting

“S corporations do not pay taxes. For tax purposes, they are treated primarily as a partnership with profits and losses passed through to the owners. All income and expenses are passed through to the owners/shareholders, even if they include you, your spouse, and your children.”
― Lita Epstein, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting

“The IRS requires you to use the accrual method if your business meets one or more of the following conditions: • Your business has inventory. • Your business is a C corporation. • Your gross sales exceed $5 million. (Some exceptions to this rule include sole proprietors, personal service companies, and farming businesses.)”
― Lita Epstein, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting

“Many small businesses use what is called a modified cash-basis accounting method. These businesses record most transactions when cash is exchanged, but account for certain transactions, such as the purchase and use of equipment, over time using a method called depreciation.”
― Lita Epstein, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting

“Have you heard this classic accounting joke? Question: What’s the definition of an accountant? Answer: Someone who solves a problem you didn’t know you had in a way you don’t understand.”
― Lita Epstein, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Accounting