Business Activities—The Source of Accounting Information1

CHAPTER 2

Business Activities—The Source of Accounting Information

Thinking Beyond the Question

How do we know how well our business is doing?

Revenues are earned when goods are transferred or services are provided to customers. In most cases, these events are associated with completion of certain critical events, such as delivery of goods. Expenses are incurred when resources are consumed in the process of providing goods and services. Therefore, a system that identifies when goods are transferred, services are provided, and resources are consumed is important for identifying revenues and expenses.

Some resources are consumed when goods or services are transferred to customers: the cost of goods, supplies, and labor associated with particular jobs. In other cases, the amount of resources consumed is measured each fiscal period: salaries and wages, utilities, rent, and insurance. Depending on the type of resource consumed, identification of the cost of the resource associated with specific sales or identification of the cost of the resource associated with a fiscal period is an important event for identifying expenses during a fiscal period.

QUESTIONS

Q2-1Chapter 2 illustrates two sources of money for companies—loans and owner contributions. Chapter 1 discussed the three forms of business organizations—proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. To maintain control, Joan probably would want to organize her business as a proprietorship. If she has enough money or other resources, she can borrow the rest of the capital she needs from a bank. If she does not have enough money or other resources and cannot borrow as much as she needs, she may have to find one or more partners to help finance the business. Because this is a small business, she is unlikely to want or need to incorporate at this time or to issue bonds.

Q2-2Major sources of financing for corporations are stocks and debt. Bank loans also are possible. Managers should consider how much stock or how much debt they can incur, what amount of money they will receive from the issuance, and whether they can repay debt as it becomes due from the profits they expect to earn.

Q2-3From the corporation’s perspective, this event was a financing activity. The corporation raised capital (i.e., raised financing) by selling shares of stock to Jerrilyn.

Q2-4Assets = Liabilities + Equity. The question indicates that assets are accurately reported. Therefore, if liabilities are understated, equity must be overstated. For example, assume assets, liabilities, and equity are correctly reported as $10,000, $3,000, and $7,000 respectively ($10,000 = $3,000 + $7,000). If liabilities are understated by $1,000, equity must be overstated by $1,000 to make the accounting equation balance ($10,000 = $2,000 + $8,000).

Q2-5Both liabilities and owners’ equity represent claims to a company’s resources.

Q2-6The accounting equation presents the relationship between resources and claims to resources. Financial resources to acquire assets are obtained from financing activities and from revenues earned by the company. When assets are consumed, expenses are created that reduce a company’s profits. The profits earned during a period increase owners’ equity, as reported in retained earnings. The total amount of assets is equal to the total amount of liabilities and owners’ equity.

Q2-7Purchasing merchandise inventory is an operating activity. The operating activities section of the cash flow statement reports cash from selling goods and services and cash paid for expense-related activities.

Q2-8Contributed capital represents claims to resources provided by the owners. Sales revenue represents owners’ claims to resources that were earned and retained by the company.

Q2-9No. Retained Earnings represents earnings kept in the business. These earnings are reinvested and may be included in various kinds of assets. Retained Earnings does not equal cash.

Q2-10The possibilities will depend on the specific company selected and industry in which it operates. Exhibit 12 in the text should give students a good start on this question.

Q2-11The left side of a balance sheet reveals how an organization’s managers have used investors’ capital. That is, what does the organization own? Or, what amount of capital has been committed to which assets? The right side of a balance sheet reveals where the capital came from to
acquire the assets listed on the left side. It reveals how much of the organization’s capital was provided by investors loaning money or extending credit (i.e., liabilities). It also reveals how much capital was provided by the owners’ contributions (invested capital) as well as how much capital has been provided by profitable operations of the company (retained earnings).

Q2-12 A balance sheet reports the assets, liabilities, and equity of an organization. The income statement reports revenues and expenses. The statement of cash flows reports the net cash flows from operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities.

Q2-13The accounting equation, Assets = Liabilities + Equity, illustrates that assets are provided by creditors (liabilities) or by owners (equity). Thus, creditors and owners have claims on a company’s assets.

Q2-14The income statement provides information about how well a company has performed during a period based on the operating activities for that period. These activities may affect cash flows of prior or future periods. The income statement helps decision makers assess the long-run success of a company.

The statement of cash flows describes the cash flows that resulted from current-period operating activities. It provides information about a company’s ability to pay current obligations. A company must generate sufficient cash to pay creditors, suppliers, employees, and other providers of goods and services. Net income, as reported on the income statement, does not ensure short-run survival of a company.

Q2-15Most companies of size have hundreds or thousands of individual accounts. A mere list of accounts and balances would overwhelm the reader with detail and be unlikely to convey any useful information. Accounts and balances are arranged into financial statements for the purpose of conveying information quickly and conveniently. Similar accounts are grouped, such as all revenues, all expenses, all assets, etc. Then, to provide further information, certain groups of accounts are arranged into financial statements. For example, revenues and expenses are matched on the income statement. Assets, liabilities, and equity are grouped on the balance sheet. Account balances are summarized on financial statements because they yield more information in this form.

EXERCISES

E2-1Definitions of all terms are listed in the glossary.

E2-21.Operating activity

2.Financing activity

3.Investing activity

4.Financing activity

5.Investing activity

6.Operating activity

7.Investing activity

8.Financing activity

9.Investing activity

10.Operating activity

E2-3a.I

b.O

c.F

d.O

e.O

f.I

g.F

h.O

i.O

j.F

E2-4

ASSETS / = / LIABILITIES / + / OWNERS' EQUITY
Date / Accounts / Cash / Other
Assets / Contributed
Capital / Retained
Earnings
Beginning Amounts / 40,000 / + 60,000 / = / 30,000 / + / 50,000 / + 20,000
June 1 / Merchandise Inventory / 15,000
Cash / –15,000
June 15 / Cash / 60,000
Sales Revenue / 60,000
Cost of Goods Sold / –28,000
Merchandise Inventory / –28,000
June 23 / Cash / 250,000
Bank Loan Payable / 250,000
June 25 / Supplies Expense / –2,000
Cash / –2,000
June 28 / Wages Expense / –5,000
Cash / –5,000
June 30 / Equipment / 100,000
Cash / –100,000
June 30 / Utilities Expense / –6,000
Cash / –6,000
Ending Amounts / 222,000 / +147,000 / = / 280,000 / + / 50,000 / + 39,000

E2-5June 1Operating

June 15Operating

June 23Financing

June 25Operating

June 28Operating

June 30Investing

June 30Operating

E2-6

ASSETS / = / LIABILITIES / + / OWNERS' EQUITY
Date / Accounts / Cash / Other
Assets / Contributed
Capital / Retained
Earnings
Beginning Amounts / 70,000 / + 90,000 / = / 60,000 / + / 60,000 / + 40,000
May 1 / Cash / 10,000
Contributed Capital / 10,000
May 5 / Cash / 35,000
Sales / 35,000
Cost of Goods Sold / –14,000
Merchandise Inventory / –14,000
May 10 / Merchandise Inventory / 45,000
Cash / –45,000
May 15 / Notes Payable / –2,000
Cash / –2,000
May 22 / Equipment / 4,000
Cash / –4,000
May 31 / Utilities Expense / –800
Cash / –800
May 31 / Wages Expense / –7,500
Cash / –7,500
Ending Amounts / 55,700 / + 125,000 / = / 58,000 / + / 70,000 / + 52,700

E2-7May 1Financing

May 5Operating

May 10Operating

May 15Financing

May 22Investing

May 31Operating

May 31Operating

E2-8a.Cash increased $18,000; Owners’ Investment increased $18,000.

The owners invested $18,000 in the company.

b.Equipment increased $12,000; Cash decreased $12,000.

The company purchased equipment using cash.

c.Cash decreased $8,500; Notes Payable decreased $8,500.

The company paid down the balance of a note.

d.Supplies inventory increased $13,500; Cash decreased $13,500.

The company purchased supplies costing $13,500 using cash.

e.Merchandise Inventory decreased $10,000; Cost of Goods Sold increased $10,000.

The company sold merchandise costing $10,000.

f.Cash increased $23,500; Sales Revenue increased $23,500.

The company sold goods for $23,500 cash.

g.Supplies Expense increased $3,000; Supplies inventory decreased $3,000.

The company removed supplies costing $3,000 from inventory and used them.

E2-9

ASSETS / = / LIABILITIES / + / OWNERS' EQUITY
Date / Accounts / Cash / Other
Assets / Contributed
Capital / Retained
Earnings
Beginning Amounts / 5,000 / = / 1,500 / + / 3,000 / +500
Feb. 2 / Cash / 1,800
Revenues / 1,800
Feb. 3 / Rent Expense / –1,200
Cash / –1,200
Feb. 4 / Cash / –300
Loan Payable / –300
Feb. 4 / Miscellaneous Expense / –35
Cash / –35
Feb. 5 / Cash / 4,250
Revenues / 4,250
Feb. 5 / Equipment / 3,200
Cash / –3,200
Feb. 6 / Wages Expense / –525
Cash / –525
Feb. 6 / Office Supplies Expense / –128
Cash / –128
Ending Amounts / 5,662 / +3,200 / = / 1,200 / + / 3,000 / +4,662

Amelio’s Law Firm
Income Statement
For the First Week of February

Revenues$ 6,050

Rent (1,200)

Miscellaneous (35)

Wages (525)

Office supplies (128)

Net income$ 4,162

E2-10Feb. 2Operating

Feb. 3Operating

Feb. 4Financing

Feb. 4Operating

Feb. 5Operating

Feb. 5Investing

Feb. 6Operating

Feb. 6Operating

E2-11Assets=Liabilities+Owners’ Equity

Cash$1,500

Flowers and Plants26,000

Supplies Inventory4,350

Buildings79,500

Equipment12,750

Notes Payable$57,500

Proprietor’s Capital$66,600

Total$124,100=$57,500+$66,600

E2-12

ASSETS / = / LIABILITIES / + / OWNERS' EQUITY
Date / Accounts / Cash / Other
Assets / Contributed
Capital / Retained
Earnings
Cash / 220,000
Contributed Capital / 80,000
Bank Loan / 140,000
a. / Equipment / 45,150
Cash / –45,150
b. / Merchandise Inventory / 129,600
Cash / –129,600
c. / Cash / 85,000
Sales / 85,000
Cost of Goods Sold / –43,200*
Merchandise Inventory / –43,200
d. / Wages Expense / –12,300
Rent Expense / –15,500
Utilities Expense / –4,800
Postage Expense / –650
Insurance Expense / –1,290
Cash / –34,540

* $129,600 ÷ 3 = $43,200

E2-13Chang’s Pottery Works
Schedule of Retained Earnings
For the Month Ended November 30

Retained earnings, November 1$ 95,000

Net income for November 15,000

Less: Payment to owners in November (4,000)

Retained earnings, November 30$106,000

E2-14Christmas Cookie Company
Income Statement
For the Month Ended December 31

Sales revenue $234,000

Cost of goods sold (60,000)

Wages expense (97,500)

Utilities expense (24,000)

Net income$ 52,500

E2-15a.Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from owners$ 30,957

Proceeds from issuance of note payable 13,057

Payments of debt (80,323)

Net cash used for financing activities$(36,309)

b.Cash flows from investing activities:

Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment$ 1,986

Additions to plant and equipment (5,379)

Net cash provided by investing activities$ (3,393)

E2-16Cash collected from customers $270,000

Cash paid for merchandise inventory (83,500)

Cash paid for utilities (25,000)

Cash paid for insurance (23,000)

Cash paid to employees (58,000)

Cash paid for postage (7,500)

Net cash from operating activities$ 73,000

E2-17Wages expenseIncome statement

Cost of goods soldIncome statement

Sales revenueIncome statement

Merchandise inventoryBalance sheet

Net incomeIncome statement

Retained earningsBalance sheet

Contributed capitalBalance sheet

Rent expenseIncome statement

CashBalance sheet, Statement of cash flows

Notes payableBalance sheet

E2-18Brothers’ Lawn Service

Income Statement

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

Service revenue$ 12,300

Supplies expense (4,000)

Wages expense (6,000)

Utilities expense (500)

Rent expense (1,000)

Net income$ 800

E2-19Brothers’ Lawn Service

Balance Sheet

At June 30, 2007

Assets

Cash$3,000

Supplies inventory500

Equipment5,000

Total assets$8,500

Liabilities and Owners’ Equity

Notes payable$1,000

Contributed capital6,700

Retained earnings800

Total liabilities and owners’ equity$8,500

E2-20

June 1 / Merchandise Inventory / 15,000
Cash / 15,000
June 15 / Cash / 60,000
Sales / 60,000
Cost of Goods Sold / 28,000
Merchandise Inventory / 28,000
June 23 / Cash / 250,000
Bank LoanPayable / 250,000
June 25 / Supplies Expense / 2,000
Cash / 2,000
June 28 / Wages Expense / 5,000
Cash / 5,000
June 30 / Equipment / 100,000
Cash / 100,000
June 30 / Utilities Expense / 6,000
Cash / 6,000

E2-21

May 1 / Cash / 10,000
Contributed Capital / 10,000
May 5 / Cash / 35,000
Sales / 35,000
Cost of Goods Sold / 14,000
Merchandise Inventory / 14,000
May 10 / Merchandise Inventory / 45,000
Cash / 45,000
May 15 / Notes Payable / 2,000
Cash / 2,000
May 22 / Equipment / 4,000
Cash / 4,000
May 31 / Utilities Expense / 800
Cash / 800
May 31 / Wages Expense / 7,500
Cash / 7,500

E2-22

Feb 2 / Cash / 1,800
Revenues / 1,800
Feb 3 / Rent Expense / 1,200
Cash / 1,200
Feb 4 / LoanPayable / 300
Cash / 300
Feb 4 / Miscellaneous Expense / 35
Cash / 35
Feb 5 / Cash / 4,250
Revenues / 4,250
Feb 5 / Equipment / 3,200
Cash / 3,200
Feb 6 / Wages Expense / 525
Cash / 525
Feb 6 / Office Supplies Expense / 128
Cash / 128

E2-23

Cash / 220,000
Contributed Capital / 80,000
Bank Loan / 140,000
a. / Equipment / 45,150
Cash / 45,150
b. / Merchandise Inventory / 129,600
Cash / 129,600
c. / Cash / 85,000
Sales / 85,000
Cost of Goods Sold * / 43,200
Merchandise Inventory / 43,200
d. / Wages Expense / 12,300
Rent Expense / 15,500
Utilities Expense / 4,800
Postage Expense / 650
Insurance Expense / 1,290
Cash / 34,540

* $129,600 ÷ 3 = $43,200

PROBLEMS

P2-1A. / ASSETS / = / LIABILITIES / + / OWNERS' EQUITY
Date / Accounts / Cash / Other
Assets / Contributed Capital / Retained Earnings
1 / Cash / –5,800
Utilities Expense / –5,800
2 / Cash / 89,460
Sales / 89,460
Cost of Goods Sold / –60,000
Merchandise Inventory / –60,000
3 / Equipment / 28,600
Cash / –28,600
4 / Notes Payable / –4,900
Cash / –4,900
5 / Cash / 65,000
Notes Payable / 65,000
6 / Salaries Expense / –59,430
Cash / –59,430
7 / Maintenance Expense / –11,900
Cash / –11,900
8 / Cash / 48,600
Contributed Capital / 48,600
9 / Supplies Expense / –3,750
Cash / –3,750

B.Financing decisions: When, how much, and where to borrow.

Investing decisions: What property and equipment to purchase and when to purchase it. What future earnings is the investment likely to bring?

P2-21.Operating

2.Operating

3.Investing

4.Financing

5.Financing

6.Operating

7.Operating

8.Financing

9.Operating

P2-3Assets=Liabilities+Equity

Cash$10,000

Merchandise Inventory30,000

Equipment45,000

Notes Payable$20,000

Contributed Capital$35,000

Retained Earnings30,000

Total$85,000=$20,000+$65,000

P2-4A. / ASSETS / = / LIABILITIES / + / OWNERS' EQUITY
Date / Accounts / Cash / Other
Assets / Contributed Capital / Retained Earnings
June 1 / Cash / 7,000
Contributed Capital / 7,000
June 2 / Rent Expense / –525
Cash / –525
June 7 / Merchandise Inventory / 5,000
Cash / –5,000
June 12 / Advertising Expenses / –800
Cash / –800
June 26 / Cash / 7,500
Sales Revenue / 7,500
Cost of Goods Sold / –4,500
Merchandise Inventory / –4,500
June 30 / Wages Expense / –850
Utilities Expense / –228
Cash / –1,078
Ending Amounts / 7,097 / + 500 / = / 7,000 / + 597

B.Davidson Enterprises

Income Statement

For the Month Ended June 30, 2007

Sales $7,500

Cost of goods sold (4,500)

Rent expense (525)

Advertising (800)

Wages (850)

Utilities (228)

Net income $ 597

C.Davidson Enterprises

Balance Sheet

At June 30, 2007

Assets

Cash$7,097

Merchandise inventory500

Total assets$7,597

Liabilities and Owners’ Equity

Contributed capital$7,000

Retained earnings 597

Total liabilities and owners’ equity$7,597

P2-5June 1Financing

June 2Operating

June 7Operating

June 12Operating

June 26Operating

June 30Operating

P2-6A. / ASSETS / = / LIABILITIES / + / OWNERS' EQUITY
Date / Accounts / Cash / Other
Assets / Contributed Capital / Retained Earnings
1 / Cash / 3,000
Contributed Capital / 3,000
2 / Cash / 4,000
Notes Payable / 4,000
3 / Merchandise Inventory / 3,500
Cash / –3,500
4 / Cash / 2,500
Sales / 2,500
Cost of Goods Sold / –825
Merchandise Inventory / –825
4 / Commissions Expense / –500
Cash / –500 / *
5 / Notes Payable / –1,500
Cash / –1,500
6 / Retained Earnings / –750
Cash / –750
Ending Amounts / 3,250 / + 2,675 / = / 2,500 / + / 3,000 / + 425

*$2,500 × 0.20 = $500

P2-7 A. / ASSETS / = / LIABILITIES / + / OWNERS' EQUITY
Date / Accounts / Cash / Other
Assets / Contributed
Capital / Retained Earnings
June 1 / Cash / 750
Contributed Capital / 300
Note Payable—Dad / 450
June 2 / Equipment Rental Expense / –85
Cash / –85
June 3 / Equipment Rental Expense / –135
Cash / –135
June 16 / Cash / 650
Service Revenue / 650
June 16 / Gas and Oil Expense / –67
Cash / –67
June 18 / Advertising Expense / –70
Cash / –70
June 30 / Cash / 507
Service Revenue / 507
June 30 / Oil and Gas Expense / –105
Cash / –105
June 30 / Interest Expense / –5
Note Payable—Dad / –225
Cash / –230
Ending Amounts / 1,215 / = / 225 / + / 300 / + 690

B.Randi’s Lawn-Mowing Service

Income Statement

For the Month Ended June 30

Service revenue $1,157

Equipment rental expense (220)

Gas and oil expense (172)

Advertising expense (70)

Interest expense (5)

Net income$ 690

C.Randi’s Lawn-Mowing Service

Balance Sheet

At June 30

Assets

Cash$1,215

Total assets$1,215

Liabilities and Owners’ Equity

Note payable—Dad$ 225

Contributed capital300

Retained earnings690

Total liabilities and owners’ equity$1,215

D.There is no clear answer. Following are some factors to consider:

1.Was the return on her investment of money and effort satisfactory? Assuming she worked 8 hours per day for about 22 working days in June, her “rate of return” was about $3.92 per hour [$690÷ (8 hours × 22 days)].

2.Would Randi have eventually found a job that paid better?

3.Is $690 a good estimate of what she might make during each of the remaining two months of the summer? Maybe the business is just getting started and the next two months will be better.

P2-8A.1.Jill contributed $5,000 to the business.

2.The company acquired $300 of supplies inventory by paying cash.

3.The company earned $4,200 for providing services.

4.The company paid $450 for utilities consumed.

5.The company paid $500 for transportation expenses.

6.The company paid $700 for insurance.

7.Jill took $1,300 cash from the company for her personal use.

B.The company earned $2,550 ($4,200 −$450 −$500 −$700).

P2-9A.Mar.1Jacqueline contributed $10,000 cash to the business.

3The company borrowed $7,000 by issuing a note payable.

5The company purchased $8,100 of inventory and paid cash.

18The company sold goods costing $7,500 for $15,250 in cash.

18The company paid wages of $650.

23The company paid $2,500 on the note.

31Jacqueline took $2,000 cash from the company for her personal use.

B.1.The company earned $7,100 ($15,250 − $7,500 − $650).

2.Owners’ Equity is $15,100 ($10,000 + $5,100).

P2-101.Owners contributed $15,000 to the business.

2.A bank loan of $6,285 was obtained.

3.Equipment costing $11,000 was purchased. A loan was obtained to purchase the equipment.

4.Services totaling $2,250 were performed.

5.Rent of $400 was paid.

6.Wages of $250 were paid.

7.Internet service costs of $35 were paid.

P2-11A. / ASSETS / = / LIABILITIES / + / OWNERS' EQUITY
Date / Accounts / Cash / Other Assets / Contributed Capital / Retained Earnings
1 / Cash / 10,000
Contributed Capital / 10,000
2 / Cash / 30,000
Bank Loan Payable / 30,000
3 / Equipment / 25,000
Cash / –25,000
4 / Merchandise Inventory / 12,000
Cash / –12,000
5 / Cash / 27,000
Sales Revenue / 27,000
6 / Cost of Goods Sold / –10,000
Merchandise Inventory / –10,000
7 / Bank Loan Payable / –300
Cash / –300
8 / Retained Earnings / –800
Cash / –800
Ending Amounts / 28,900 / +27,000 / = / 29,700 / + / 10,000 / +16,200

B.Sand Dune Trading Company

Income Statement

For the Month Ended May 31, 2007

Sales revenue$27,000

Cost of goods sold10,000

Net income$17,000

C.Sand Dune Trading Company

Balance Sheet

At May 31, 2007

Assets

Cash$28,900

Merchandise inventory2,000

Equipment25,000

Total assets$55,900

Liabilities and Owners’ Equity

Bank loan$29,700

Contributed capital10,000

Retained earnings16,200

Total liabilities and owners’ equity$55,900

P2-121.I

2.B

3.B

4.B

5.C

6.I

7.C

8.I, C

9.B

10.C

P2-13Moonbeam Enterprises

Income Statement

For the Month Ended April 30, 2007

Sales revenue $26,000

Cost of goods sold (15,050)

Supplies expense (1,300)

Interest expense (900)

Wage expense (1,500)

Insurance expense (550)

Income tax expense (1,060)

Net income$ 5,640

Moonbeam Enterprises

Balance Sheet

At April 30, 2007

Assets

Cash$ 10,360

Merchandise inventory12,480

Buildings50,000

Land45,000

Total assets$117,840

Liabilities and Owners’ Equity

Notes payable$ 33,000

Contributed capital38,770

Retained earnings46,070

Total liabilities and owners’ equity$117,840

P2-14

ASSETS = / LIABILITIES / +OWNERS' EQUITY
Date / Accounts / Cash / Other
Assets / Contributed Capital / Retained Earnings
Beginning Amounts / 90,000 / + 150,000 / = / 80,000 / + / 60,000 / + 100,000
June 3 / Merchandise Inventory / 120,000
Cash / –120,000
June 4 / Retained Earnings / –25,000
Cash / –25,000
June 5 / Cash / 140,000
Sales Revenue / 140,000
Cost of Goods Sold / –112,000
Merchandise Inventory / –112,000
June 5 / Advertising Expense / –9,000
Cash / –9,000
June 6 / Utility Expense / –450
Cash / –450
June 6 / Equipment / 15,000
Cash / –15,000
June 7 / Wages Expense / –12,900
Cash / –12,900
Ending Amounts / 47,650 / +173,000 / =80,000 / +60,000 / +80,650

P2-15June 3Operating