Question

Difficulty: MediumAccounting Concepts and Conventions

In financial accounting practice, specific accounting concepts and conventions govern how business transactions and events are recorded and reported. Match each accounting scenario described below with the fundamental accounting concept or convention that dictates its accounting treatment.

  • Recording purchased office equipment at its original acquisition price of 500,000500,000 Naira, ignoring any increase in its current market value.Historical Cost Concept
  • Charging small expenditures on office stationery directly as an expense in the profit and loss account rather than capitalizing them as fixed assets.Materiality Convention
  • Recognizing sales revenue when goods are delivered to the customer, irrespective of when cash payment is received.Accrual (Matching) Concept
  • Anticipating potential future losses on doubtful debts while ignoring unearned anticipated profits.Prudence (Conservatism) Convention

Answer

1. Recording office equipment at original cost matches the Historical Cost Concept. 2. Expensing small stationery purchases immediately matches the Materiality Convention. 3. Recognizing sales revenue upon delivery regardless of cash movement matches the Accrual (Matching) Concept. 4. Anticipating doubtful debt losses while ignoring unearned profits matches the Prudence (Conservatism) Convention.
Each transaction scenario corresponds directly to its governing rule: recording assets at initial purchase price preserves historical cost; expensing minor low-value items relies on materiality; timing revenue upon performance follows accrual accounting; and recognizing prospective losses while excluding unearned gains embodies prudence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the accounting treatment of recording assets at acquisition price.
Recording assets at original purchase cost reflects the Historical Cost Concept.
The historical cost concept mandates that transactions are recorded at cost price rather than revalued market price.
2
Analyze the treatment of low-value expenditures like stationery.
Charging minor purchases immediately to expenses reflects the Materiality Convention.
The materiality convention permits trivial financial items to bypass strict asset capitalization rules.
3
Analyze revenue recognition timing upon delivery.
Recognizing revenue when earned rather than when cash is received reflects the Accrual Concept.
The accrual concept matches income and expenses to the specific accounting period in which they arise.
4
Analyze asymmetric accounting treatment for anticipated losses versus gains.
Recognizing potential losses while ignoring anticipated gains reflects the Prudence Convention.
Prudence ensures financial statements do not overstate assets or income.

Key Concept

Accounting Concepts and Conventions
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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