Free Certified Public Accountant (Financial Accounting & Reporting) Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which two of the following accounting concepts are most similar to consistency and feedback, respectively?

Accepted Answer

Predictive value and confirmatory value

Answer

Consistency in accounting refers to applying the same accounting methods from period to period, which enhances comparability and allows users to identify trends and make better predictions. This aligns with **predictive value**, as consistent information helps users forecast future outcomes. Feedback, in the context of financial reporting, refers to information that confirms or corrects prior expectations, which is the definition of **confirmatory value**. Therefore, consistency is most similar to predictive value, and feedback is most similar to confirmatory value.

Question 2

According to Catastrophe Corporation, it is not a going concern and is most certainly going out of business. Which accounting principle will Catastrophe use?

Accepted Answer

Liquidation basis

Answer

The going concern assumption is a fundamental principle in GAAP, presuming that a business will continue operating for the foreseeable future. However, if a company like Catastrophe Corporation is not a going concern and liquidation is imminent, it must abandon the going concern assumption. In such cases, the company must switch to the **liquidation basis of accounting**, which values assets at their estimated net realizable value and liabilities at their estimated settlement amounts, reflecting the impending cessation of operations.

Question 3

When a company decides it is not a going concern, there is a good chance it won't be able to pay its debts, which are due at least a year after the financial accounts are released. The entity will change to the liquidation basis of accounting when liquidation is imminent, which occurs when the entity has adopted a plan of liquidation or when one is being imposed upon it. Whether or not an entity will use the tax or cash basis of accounting is unrelated to whether or not it is a going concern.

Accepted Answer

Foreign currency translation adjustments

Answer

Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) includes revenues, expenses, gains, and losses that are not recognized in net income but are part of comprehensive income. Foreign currency translation adjustments, which arise from translating the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries into the reporting currency, are a common example of items recognized in OCI. Unrealized gains/losses on assets held to maturity are not recognized, and gains/losses on fair value hedges are recognized in net income.

Question 4

A customer gave Misk, Inc. a $750,000 note with a one-year term and 9% yearly interest. Misk discounted the note at National Bank for a 12% effective interest rate after holding it for six months. How much money did Misk get from the bank?

Accepted Answer

$768,450

Answer

First, calculate the note's maturity value: $750,000 principal + ($750,000 * 9% annual interest) = $750,000 + $67,500 = $817,500. Misk held the note for 6 months, so the bank will discount it for the remaining 6 months of its one-year term. The discount amount is calculated as the maturity value multiplied by the discount rate and the discount period: $817,500 * 12% * (6/12) = $49,050. Therefore, Misk received $817,500 (maturity value) - $49,050 (discount) = $768,450 from the bank.

Question 5

Which of the following statements regarding the effect a collection of an account previously written off would have on accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful account balances is correct when the allowance method of recognizing uncollectible performances is used?

Accepted Answer

The allowance for doubtful accounts would rise, but accounts receivable would remain the same.

Answer

When an account previously written off using the allowance method is collected, two journal entries are typically made. First, the account receivable is reinstated by debiting Accounts Receivable and crediting Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, which increases both balances. Second, the cash collection is recorded by debiting Cash and crediting Accounts Receivable. The net effect of these two steps is that Accounts Receivable returns to its balance before the collection process (as the reinstatement debit is offset by the collection credit), while the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts balance increases from its previous level.

Certified Public Accountant Practice Test

Certified Public Accountant Practice Test

Free Certified Public Accountant (Financial Accounting & Reporting) Questions and Answers