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Quizzes > Business & Finance

Financial Accounting Online Quiz: Principles and Practice

Quick accounting quiz with answers to check your skills. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Anna WozniewiczUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a financial accounting quiz on a coral background

Use this financial accounting quiz to review key principles, journal entries, and statements, and see where you need practice. Get instant answers after each question and track what to study next. If you want more practice, try our principles of accounting test, focus on the basics with an accounting equation quiz, or step up to a financial accounting practice quiz before your next class or exam.

What is the fundamental accounting equation?
Assets = Liabilities + Equity
Equity = Revenues + Expenses
Revenues - Expenses = Net Income
Assets + Liabilities = Equity
The fundamental accounting equation shows that what a company owns (assets) is financed by debt (liabilities) or owner's interest (equity). It is the cornerstone of double-entry bookkeeping. Every transaction impacts at least two accounts to keep this equation balanced.
What does GAAP stand for?
Global Accounting and Auditing Policies
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
General Audit and Assurance Practice
Governmental Accounting Allocation Procedures
GAAP stands for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, which are the standard framework of guidelines for financial accounting. U.S. public companies must follow GAAP when compiling their financial statements. GAAP ensures consistency and comparability across financial reports.
Under accrual accounting, when are revenues recognized?
At the end of the fiscal year only
When cash is received
When inventory is purchased
When earned, regardless of cash receipt
Accrual accounting requires revenues to be recognized when they are earned, not when cash is received. This aligns revenue with the period in which goods or services are delivered. It provides a more accurate picture of financial performance.
Which financial statement shows a company's financial position at a specific point in time?
Balance Sheet
Statement of Retained Earnings
Statement of Cash Flows
Income Statement
The balance sheet provides a snapshot of a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific date. It helps stakeholders assess financial strength and liquidity. It differs from the income statement, which covers activity over a period.
Depreciation expense is reported on which financial statement?
Income Statement
Statement of Cash Flows
Balance Sheet
Statement of Changes in Equity
Depreciation expense appears on the income statement as a noncash expense, reducing net income. On the balance sheet, the related accumulated depreciation is recorded as a contra-asset. The statement of cash flows adjusts net income for depreciation since it does not affect cash.
What is the primary purpose of the Statement of Cash Flows?
To calculate net income
To report cash inflows and outflows
To show retained earnings changes
To list all assets and liabilities
The statement of cash flows details a company's cash receipts and payments over a period, classified into operating, investing, and financing activities. It reconciles net income to net cash change, highlighting liquidity and solvency. Investors use it to understand cash generation.
Which account normally has a debit balance?
Revenue
Liabilities
Common Stock
Expenses
Expense accounts carry a normal debit balance because they decrease equity. Revenues, liabilities, and equity accounts normally carry a credit balance. Debits increase assets and expenses, while credits increase liabilities, equity, and revenue.
Which depreciation method allocates an equal expense each period?
Declining balance method
Units-of-production method
Straight-line method
Sum-of-the-years'-digits method
The straight-line method spreads the cost of an asset evenly over its useful life by dividing cost minus salvage value by useful years. Other methods accelerate expense recognition or tie it to usage. It's simple and commonly used.
Under double-entry bookkeeping, every debit must have a corresponding what?
Revenue
Expense
Credit
Asset
Double-entry bookkeeping requires that total debits equal total credits for each transaction to keep the accounting equation balanced. This system ensures accuracy and helps detect errors. Every entry affects at least two accounts.
What is goodwill in accounting?
Accumulated depreciation on intangibles
Present value of future cash flows
Excess purchase price over fair value of net assets
Market value of equity securities
Goodwill arises when an acquiring company pays more than the fair value of identifiable net assets of the acquired business. It reflects intangible factors like brand reputation and customer relations. Goodwill is not amortized under US GAAP but tested annually for impairment.
Which principle requires matching expenses with related revenues?
Full disclosure principle
Matching principle
Revenue recognition principle
Cost principle
The matching principle dictates that expenses should be recorded in the same period as the revenues they help generate to measure accurate profitability. It ensures financial statements reflect the true costs of earning revenue. This supports consistency and comparability.
In a period of rising prices, which inventory method typically results in the lowest taxable income?
FIFO
LIFO
Weighted-average cost
Specific identification
Under LIFO (Last-In, First-Out) in a rising price environment, the newest (more expensive) inventory is expensed first, yielding higher cost of goods sold and lower taxable income. FIFO (First-In, First-Out) uses older, lower costs first, resulting in higher profits. LIFO therefore reduces taxes.
Unearned revenue is classified on the balance sheet as which type of account?
Revenue
Equity
Liability
Asset
Unearned revenue represents cash received before services or goods are delivered, creating an obligation to the customer. It is recorded as a liability until the performance obligation is satisfied. Once earned, it is recognized as revenue.
Which ratio measures a company's short-term liquidity by comparing current assets to current liabilities?
Gross profit margin
Debt-to-equity ratio
Current ratio
Return on assets
The current ratio is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities to assess a firm's ability to cover short-term obligations. A higher ratio indicates stronger liquidity. It is widely used by creditors and analysts.
Amortizing a bond premium has what effect on interest expense?
Defers interest expense to maturity
Increases interest expense over the bond's life
Reduces interest expense over the bond's life
Has no effect on interest expense
When a bond is issued at a premium, the premium is amortized over its life, decreasing the periodic interest expense below the coupon interest paid. Amortization reduces the carrying amount to face value by maturity. This reflects the effective yield.
Under IFRS, which inventory cost flow method is NOT permitted?
Specific identification
Weighted-average cost
FIFO
LIFO
IFRS prohibits the Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) method due to potential distortions in inventory valuation and earnings. IFRS allows FIFO, weighted-average, or specific identification. This promotes comparability across international companies.
An impairment loss is recognized when:
Fair value exceeds carrying amount
Net realizable value exceeds cost
Carrying amount exceeds recoverable amount
Depreciable life is fully used
An impairment loss occurs if an asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. The asset is written down to the recoverable amount. This ensures assets are not overstated.
How is the allowance for doubtful accounts presented on the balance sheet?
As an expense
As equity reduction
As a contra?asset to accounts receivable
As a liability
The allowance for doubtful accounts is a contra?asset account that reduces accounts receivable to its net realizable value. It reflects estimated uncollectible amounts. Bad debt expense is recorded to increase the allowance.
Forward derivative contracts are initially recognized at what amount?
Not recognized until settlement
Zero cost at inception
Fair value on the date of the contract
Historical cost of underlying
Derivatives like forward contracts are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value on the contract date. Subsequent changes in fair value are recorded in profit or loss or other comprehensive income, depending on designation. This ensures up?to?date valuation.
The equity method of accounting is used when an investor owns what percentage range of a company?
20% - 50%
Exactly 100%
More than 50%
Less than 20%
The equity method applies when the investor has significant influence over the investee, typically indicated by 20% - 50% ownership. The investor recognizes its share of the investee's profits or losses. Below 20% is cost or fair?value method; above 50% requires consolidation.
Issuing a stock dividend has what effect on total shareholders' equity?
Depends on market price
Increases total equity
No change in total equity
Decreases total equity
A stock dividend reallocates amounts within equity from retained earnings to paid?in capital but does not change total shareholders' equity. It increases the number of shares outstanding at a proportional decrease in book value per share. No cash is distributed.
Under IFRS, where is a revaluation surplus recorded if an asset's carrying amount is restated upward?
Income Statement
Retained Earnings
Expenses
Other Comprehensive Income (OCI)
IFRS requires increases in an asset's carrying amount from revaluation to be recorded in Other Comprehensive Income and accumulated in equity under revaluation surplus. Decreases that reverse prior increases go to OCI; other decreases go to profit or loss. This keeps unrealized gains out of net income.
Under US GAAP, which research and development costs may be capitalized?
All R&D costs once incurred
Patent application filing fees
Employee training costs
Software development costs after technological feasibility
US GAAP requires most R&D costs to be expensed as incurred except certain software development costs after technological feasibility is established. Other R&D costs, like prototyping and testing, must be expensed. This distinction reflects when future benefits are determinable.
For segment reporting under IFRS, a segment is reportable if it meets which quantitative threshold?
20% of combined assets
10% of combined revenue, profit or assets
5% of combined revenue
15% of combined profit
IFRS 8 requires a segment to be reported if its revenue, profit or loss, or assets are 10% or more of the total for all operating segments. This ensures significant segments are disclosed separately. The thresholds help users assess performance.
Under IFRS, where are actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit pension plans recognized?
Balance Sheet directly
Other Comprehensive Income (OCI)
Income Statement
Retained Earnings
IFRS requires actuarial gains and losses for defined benefit plans to be recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and not recycled to profit or loss. This approach avoids volatility in earnings from actuarial adjustments. The net pension liability or asset is updated in equity.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand financial statements components -

    Break down the structure of balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements to recognize how each section reflects a company's financial health.

  2. Analyze balance sheet and income statement items -

    Interpret key line items and ratios to assess assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in real-world scenarios.

  3. Apply accounting principles to practice problems -

    Use fundamental concepts like accruals, matching, and revenue recognition to solve financial accounting practice problems accurately.

  4. Identify key accounting terminology -

    Define and recall critical terms featured in accounting trivia questions, such as depreciation, equity, and current liabilities.

  5. Evaluate and solve accounting entries -

    Assess transaction scenarios to determine proper journal entries and calculate financial metrics in the accounting quiz with answers.

Cheat Sheet

  1. The Fundamental Accounting Equation -

    The accounting equation (Assets = Liabilities + Equity) is the backbone of financial accounting and appears frequently in accounting trivia questions. Remember the "ALE" mnemonic - Assets on the Left, Equity on the right - to quickly verify balance sheet integrity (Kieso et al., IFRS Conceptual Framework). Mastery of this formula is crucial for both financial accounting practice problems and real-world ledger analysis.

  2. Double-Entry Bookkeeping -

    Double-entry bookkeeping ensures every transaction impacts at least two accounts with equal debits and credits, keeping the books balanced (FASB ASC Topic 210). Use the mnemonic "DEAD CLIC" (Debits increase Expenses, Assets, Dividends; Credits increase Liabilities, Income, Capital) to recall account behaviors swiftly. This core principle underlies almost every accounting quiz with answers and helps you ace challenging practice problems.

  3. Accrual vs. Cash Basis Recognition -

    Under the accrual basis (per FASB ASC 606), revenues are recorded when earned and expenses when incurred, regardless of cash flow, whereas the cash basis records transactions only when cash exchanges hands. Understanding this distinction is vital for answering tricky accounting trivia questions on revenue recognition and matching principles. Many financial accounting practice problems test your ability to adjust entries correctly under each method.

  4. Core Financial Statements & Classification -

    The four core statements - balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows, and statement of changes in equity - provide a full picture of a company's health (IFRS Foundation). Focus on classifying current vs. noncurrent assets and liabilities to tackle questions on liquidity and solvency. This knowledge is often quizzed in financial accounting online quizzes to assess your grasp of each statement's structure.

  5. Key Ratios & Analysis Formulas -

    Liquidity and profitability ratios like the current ratio (Current Assets ÷ Current Liabilities) and gross profit margin (Gross Profit ÷ Revenue) are staples of accounting trivia and real-world analysis (Harvard Business Review). Practice calculating these from sample statements to interpret a company's short-term health and efficiency. Having these formulas at your fingertips boosts confidence during timed accounting quizzes and practice problems.

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