While not everyone has the opportunity to study accounting, a CEO needs to possess knowledge of all aspects of a successfully-run business, even when a company is hiring outsourced bookkeeping. Here are ten accounting term definitions to get you started to effectively communicate with your online accounting services provider.
1. Assets
Assets are the wealth that has been accumulated by the business and is owned outright without lien or loan. It may be items that depreciate over time, or goods that are sold to customers. This may include cash and investments, buildings and property, accounts receivable, warehouse inventory, equipment and supplies.
2. Balance sheet
The balance sheet is an important aspect of business. It records the basic accounting formula of assets = liabilities + stockholder equity / capital at a certain point in time, either monthly, quarterly or yearly. From the balance sheet the financial health of the business can be ascertained.
3. General ledger
The general ledger is the side of the bookkeeping ledger that contains the balance sheet and the income statement accounts. Here all business transactions are recorded, including sales, credit purchases, office expenses and income losses.
4. Gross margin
Gross margin or profit is the total number of sales that have been made, subtracted by the associated costs, such as manufacturing costs, wholesales costs, material, and supplies.
5. Loss
When a service or product sells for less than what it cost to supply or manufacture it, or when expenses have exceeded revenues of a particular asset, it's called a loss.
6. On credit/On account
On credit or on account means that products or services have been sold with the use of credit. Payment has not immediately been provided for these items, and there may be terms on account that may result in interest charges.
7. Receipts
Receipts is the total amount of cash collected in business transactions over the course of one day. It does not include other revenue collected.
8. Revenue
Income and revenue are interchangeable, compromising the total amount of all income collected at one point in time. It may include cash sales, credit purchases, subscription fees and interest income. It differs from receipts, as it can include monies that are not collected at the delivery time.
9. Trade discount
A trade discount is a percentage discounted from the purchase price, and is based on the volume of goods ordered at one point in time. Higher discounts may be applicable to larger orders, with smaller discounts for lesser orders.
10. Trial balance
The trial balance is recorded in the general ledger, and includes both debits and credits for one particular account. The sheet must balance, with debits equaling credits.
