The sequence of accounting procedures is frequently referred to as the accounting cycle or the phases of accounting. It is repeated in the same order in each accounting period. The accounting cycle begins with the journalizing of transactions and ends with the post-closing trial balance. The most significant output of the accounting cycle is the income statement and balance sheet. An understanding of all phases of the accounting cycle is essential. These phases are briefly described below. The accounting cycle starts with the analysis of the transactions of the business in question. In this step, transactions are analyzed to identify the nature of accounts involved in the transaction. The second step in the accounting cycle is journalizing, which involves recording all transactions in the general journal. The process of transferring entries from the journal to the ledger is called posting. In this step, all transactions previously recorded in the journal are transferred to the relevant ledger accounts at some appropriate time. Summarizing refers to the preparation of a trial balance from the debit and credit balances of the ledger accounts. At the end of every accounting period, some transactions are missed from the records. The recording of such transactions in the books of accounts is known as adjusting entries. Such entries are usually made to adjust the income and expense accounts. Financial statements are prepared at the end of each accounting period to understand the earnings and financial position of the business concern. Closing entries are passed to close the income and expense accounts at the end of the accounting period. The last and final phase of bookkeeping is the preparation of the post-closing trial balance. This proves the accuracy of the accounting records at the end of the trading period.Phases of Accounting Cycle
1. Analyzing
2. Journalizing
3. Posting
4. Summarizing
5. Adjusting Entries
6. Financial Statements
7. Closing Entries
8. Post-Closing Trial Balance
Accounting Cycle FAQs
The accounting cycle is a process businesses use to track their financial performance over a specific period of time.
The steps in the accounting cycle are: recording transactions, classifying and journalizing transactions, posting journal entries to ledgers, preparing financial statements, and analyzing and discussing financial statements.
The purpose of the accounting cycle is to ensure that businesses have accurate and up-to-date information about their financial performance.
The accounting cycle helps businesses track their financial performance by recording all of their transactions, classifying and journalizing those transactions, posting the journal entries to ledgers, preparing financial statements, and analyzing and discussing those financial statements.
Other benefits to using the accounting cycle include gaining a better understanding of business operations and improving decision-making abilities.
True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.
True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.
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