All Free Accounting MCQs with Answers
Every Accounting question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
1,971 questions · page 2 of 99
21. A business purchases inventory on credit. What is the immediate effect on the accounting equation?
- A. Assets increase and liabilities increase
- B. Assets increase and owner's equity increase
- C. Liabilities decrease and equity increase
- D. Assets decrease and liabilities increase
Explanation: The inventory received increases assets, while the unpaid supplier balance increases liabilities.
Correct answer: Assets increase and liabilities increase- A. Debit cash and credit accounts receivable
- B. Debit accounts receivable and credit cash
- C. Debit sales and credit cash
- D. Debit cash and credit sales
Explanation: Cash is an asset that increases, so it is debited. The customer's receivable decreases, so the receivable account is credited; no new sale…
Correct answer: Debit cash and credit accounts receivable- A. The service is completed
- B. The customer is billed
- C. Cash is received
- D. The accounting year ends
Explanation: Cash-basis accounting recognises revenue when money is actually received.
Correct answer: Cash is received- A. An accrued expense
- B. A prepaid expense
- C. A revenue receipt
- D. A capital reserve
Explanation: The future insurance benefit is an asset called prepaid expense until it is used.
Correct answer: A prepaid expense- A. Ignored until the customer defaults
- B. Recognised when a reasonable estimate is possible
- C. Recorded as revenue when the sale occurs
- D. Recognised only after legal recovery fails
Explanation: Prudence requires probable losses to be recognised when they can be reasonably estimated.
Correct answer: Recognised when a reasonable estimate is possible- A. Liquidation or realisable value
- B. Original invoice value only
- C. Expected future sales value
- D. Nominal value of owner's capital
Explanation: When continuation is doubtful, assets may need to be measured at amounts obtainable through sale or liquidation.
Correct answer: Liquidation or realisable value- A. Revenue from ordinary activities
- B. A capital receipt creating a liability
- C. An owner's equity contribution
- D. A reduction in operating expense
Explanation: A bank loan provides cash but creates an obligation to repay, so it is a capital receipt in this classification and a liability in the…
Correct answer: A capital receipt creating a liability- A. Monthly office electricity
- B. Annual staff training cost
- C. Cost of constructing an additional factory room
- D. Routine cleaning of business premises
Explanation: Constructing an additional factory room creates or improves a long-term operating asset, so its cost is capital expenditure.
Correct answer: Cost of constructing an additional factory room- A. Buying equipment for cash
- B. Collecting cash from a debtor
- C. Receiving a bank loan in cash
- D. Paying an outstanding supplier
Explanation: Collection from a debtor increases cash but decreases accounts receivable by the same amount.
Correct answer: Collecting cash from a debtor- A. Debit purchases and credit accounts payable
- B. Debit accounts payable and credit purchases
- C. Debit cash and credit purchases
- D. Debit sales and credit accounts payable
Explanation: The purchase account is debited to record the cost of goods acquired, while the supplier's payable is credited because the liability…
Correct answer: Debit purchases and credit accounts payable- A. Assets decrease and liabilities decrease
- B. Assets increase and equity decreases
- C. Liabilities increase and equity decreases
- D. Assets decrease and equity increases
Explanation: Cash, an asset, decreases when the supplier is paid, while the payable, a liability, also decreases.
Correct answer: Assets decrease and liabilities decrease- A. It increases assets and expenses
- B. It increases liabilities and income
- C. It decreases assets and expenses
- D. It decreases liabilities and capital
Explanation: Debits normally increase asset and expense accounts. Debits reduce liabilities, capital and income, so the other combinations reverse the…
Correct answer: It increases assets and expenses- A. March, when the work is completed
- B. April, when the cash is received
- C. The month in which the invoice is printed
- D. The month in which the bank confirms payment
Explanation: Accrual accounting recognises revenue when it is earned, not when cash is collected.
Correct answer: March, when the work is completed- A. Cash received from selling goods
- B. Cash received from providing services
- C. Proceeds from selling a business vehicle
- D. Commission received from customers
Explanation: Proceeds from selling a business vehicle arise from disposing of a long-term asset and are therefore capital in nature.
Correct answer: Proceeds from selling a business vehicle- A. It permits comparison of results between accounting periods
- B. It requires every asset to be valued at market price
- C. It records transactions only when cash changes hands
- D. It prevents businesses from preparing financial statements
Explanation: Using the same accounting methods over time improves comparison between periods.
Correct answer: It permits comparison of results between accounting periods- A. Depreciate it over its useful life
- B. Charge its full cost as an immediate loss
- C. Value it only at its scrap price
- D. Exclude it from the statement of financial position
Explanation: Going concern assumes that the business will continue operating and using its assets.
Correct answer: Depreciate it over its useful life- A. The lower of cost and net realisable value
- B. The higher of cost and net realisable value
- C. Its original invoice price plus expected profit
- D. Its expected selling price without selling costs
Explanation: Prudence avoids overstating assets and profit, so inventory is measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Correct answer: The lower of cost and net realisable value- A. It is not recorded in the shop's books
- B. It is recorded as shop property
- C. It is recorded as shop revenue
- D. It is recorded as a shop expense
Explanation: The business entity concept separates the business from its owner. A house bought personally with personal funds is not a transaction of…
Correct answer: It is not recorded in the shop's books- A. Replacing a worn-out part during routine operations
- B. Constructing an additional factory building
- C. Purchasing a new delivery truck
- D. Installing a new production line
Explanation: Routine replacement that maintains an asset in its existing condition is normally revenue expenditure.
Correct answer: Replacing a worn-out part during routine operations- A. The electricity is consumed
- B. The bill is received
- C. The bill is paid
- D. The financial year ends
Explanation: Cash-basis accounting records expenses when cash is actually paid. Accrual accounting would normally recognise the electricity cost when…
Correct answer: The bill is paid