©McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009 Solutions Manual, Chapter 3 119 Chapter 3 Adjusting Accounts and Preparing Financial Statements QUESTIONS 1. The cash basis of accounting reports revenues when cash is received while the accrual basis reports revenues when they are earned. The cash basis reports expenses when cash is paid while the accrual basis reports expenses when they are incurred and matched with revenues they generated. 2. The accrual basis of accounting generally provides a better indication of company performance and financial condition than does the cash basis. Also, the accrual basis increases the comparability of financial statements from one period to the next. Thus, business decision makers generally prefer the accrual basis. 3. Businesses that have major seasonal variations in sales are most likely to select the natural business year as the fiscal year. 4. A prepaid expense is an item paid for in advance of receiving its benefits. As such, it is reported as an asset on the balance sheet. 5. Long-term tangible plant assets such as equipment, buildings, and machinery lead to adjustments for depreciation. Generally, land is the only long-term tangible plant asset that does not require depreciation. 6. The Accumulated Depreciation contra account is used for depreciation. It provides financial statement users with additional information about the relative age of the assets. Without the contra account information, the reader would not be able to tell whether the assets are new or in need of replacement. 7. Unearned revenue refers to cash received in advance of providing products and services. Another name for unearned revenue is deferred revenue. It is reported as a liability on the balance shee...
