Free Accounting Principles MCQs with Answers
351 Accounting Principles MCQs from Accounting, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Accounting principles explain the rules used to record, classify and report business transactions. Coverage includes the accounting equation, double-entry system, accrual and cash bases, matching and prudence concepts, consistency, going concern, business entity, and the difference between capital and revenue items.
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351 questions · page 1 of 18
- A. Assets increase and capital increases
- B. One asset increases and another asset decreases
- C. Assets decrease and liabilities increase
- D. Liabilities increase and capital decreases
Explanation: Furniture increases one asset, while the cash used for the purchase decreases another asset.
Correct answer: One asset increases and another asset decreases- A. One debit and no corresponding credit
- B. Equal debit and credit entries
- C. Two credit entries of equal value
- D. A debit entry only for cash items
Explanation: Double-entry bookkeeping records the two aspects of every transaction. The total debit amount must equal the total credit amount, which…
Correct answer: Equal debit and credit entries- A. When payment is made in January
- B. When the annual budget is approved
- C. When the service is received in December
- D. When the supplier sends a reminder
Explanation: Accrual accounting records expenses when they are incurred, rather than when cash is paid.
Correct answer: When the service is received in December- A. Recording owner withdrawals as business expenses
- B. Reporting revenue and related costs in the same period
- C. Recording every payment when cash leaves the business
- D. Ignoring expenses that cannot be paid immediately
Explanation: The matching concept charges expenses against the revenue they help generate in the same accounting period.
Correct answer: Reporting revenue and related costs in the same period- A. Recognise probable losses but not uncertain gains
- B. Record all expected gains before they are earned
- C. Overstate liabilities to make accounts safer
- D. Ignore losses until cash settlement occurs
Explanation: Prudence requires caution when estimates involve uncertainty. Probable losses are recognised when appropriate, but gains are generally…
Correct answer: Recognise probable losses but not uncertain gains- A. Prudence
- B. Consistency
- C. Materiality
- D. Realisation
Explanation: Consistency means applying accounting methods in the same way from period to period.
Correct answer: Consistency- A. Continue operating for the foreseeable future
- B. Earn a profit in every accounting period
- C. Avoid borrowing throughout its existence
- D. Sell all assets at their market values
Explanation: Going concern assumes that the entity will continue its operations for the foreseeable future.
Correct answer: Continue operating for the foreseeable future- A. Recording the owner's personal rent as business expense
- B. Recording owner investment as business capital
- C. Combining the owner's bank account with business cash
- D. Treating owner withdrawals as business revenue
Explanation: The business entity concept treats the business as separate from its owner.
Correct answer: Recording owner investment as business capital- A. Wages paid to factory workers
- B. Purchase of a machine for production
- C. Electricity used during the month
- D. Routine repairs to office furniture
Explanation: Buying a production machine provides benefit over several accounting periods, so it is capital expenditure and is recorded as an asset…
Correct answer: Purchase of a machine for production- A. Assets and current profit to be understated
- B. Assets and current profit to be overstated
- C. Liabilities and current profit to be understated
- D. Capital and liabilities to be overstated
Explanation: Routine repairs are revenue expenditure and should be charged as an expense.
Correct answer: Assets and current profit to be overstated11. If a business has assets of Rs. 850,000 and liabilities of Rs. 320,000, what is the owner's equity?
- A. Rs. 530,000
- B. Rs. 1,170,000
- C. Rs. 320,000
- D. Rs. 850,000
Explanation: The accounting equation is Assets = Liabilities + Owner's Equity. Therefore, equity equals Rs. 850,000 minus Rs. 320,000, or Rs. 530,000.
Correct answer: Rs. 530,000- A. Assets and equity increase
- B. Assets and liabilities increase
- C. Liabilities and equity increase
- D. Assets and expenses increase
Explanation: The cash received becomes a business asset, while the owner's claim on the business increases as equity.
Correct answer: Assets and equity increase- A. Cash account
- B. Sales account
- C. Purchases account
- D. Inventory account
Explanation: Cash is received, so the Cash account is debited. Sales revenue is credited to record the income earned from the transaction.
Correct answer: Sales account- A. Purchase of equipment for immediate cash
- B. Payment of an expense incurred earlier
- C. Cash sale made on the same day
- D. Owner's cash investment
Explanation: Under cash basis, the expense is recorded when payment is made, whereas accrual basis records it when it is incurred.
Correct answer: Payment of an expense incurred earlier- A. Revenue
- B. An expense
- C. A liability
- D. Owner's equity
Explanation: The business has received cash but still owes the customer services. Until the services are provided, the amount is unearned revenue and…
Correct answer: A liability- A. Changing inventory methods whenever profit falls
- B. Applying the same accounting method from period to period
- C. Recording all costs only when cash is paid
- D. Recognising expected gains before they occur
Explanation: Consistency means applying accounting methods in the same manner across accounting periods, unless a justified change is needed.
Correct answer: Applying the same accounting method from period to period- A. A business expense
- B. A reduction in drawings or equity
- C. An increase in business revenue
- D. A business liability
Explanation: The owner and the business are treated as separate accounting units. Cash taken for personal use reduces the owner's equity through…
Correct answer: A reduction in drawings or equity- A. Purchase of land for business use
- B. Construction of a factory building
- C. Annual insurance premium for the office
- D. Installation of a new production line
Explanation: An annual insurance premium supports the current period and does not create a long-term asset.
Correct answer: Annual insurance premium for the office- A. Revenue expenditure
- B. Capital expenditure
- C. Deferred income
- D. A contingent liability
Explanation: Freight and installation are necessary to bring the machine to its working condition.
Correct answer: Capital expenditure- A. The gain is realised or permitted by the applicable reporting rules
- B. The owner approves the increase privately
- C. The building is insured for a higher amount
- D. The original cost is fully depreciated
Explanation: Prudence discourages recognising uncertain gains while requiring care in recognising probable losses.
Correct answer: The gain is realised or permitted by the applicable reporting rulesAccounting Principles MCQs: common questions
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