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Basic Account Titles Overview

Jul 24, 2025

Overview

The lecture covers the most common basic account titles, their descriptions, and their relevance for journal entries and financial statements in basic financial accounting.

Asset Account Titles

  • Cash refers to money held in hand or in the bank, including specific funds like petty cash.
  • Accounts Receivable are amounts owed to the company from sales made on credit.
  • Merchandise Inventory includes goods purchased for resale.
  • Prepaid Expenses are payments made in advance for items like rent or insurance to be used over time.
  • Supplies are consumable items like paper, pens, or calculators used for business purposes.
  • Furniture and Fixtures include movable office items like desks and chairs, classified as property and equipment.
  • Computer refers to computers used in business, with naming based on location or use.
  • Equipment encompasses non-computer items like printers and fax machines; in manufacturing, may be called machineries.
  • Vehicle includes company-owned cars used for business operations.
  • Building refers to owned structures like office or store buildings.
  • Land is a company-owned plot without buildings, not subject to depreciation.

Liability Account Titles

  • Accounts Payable are amounts owed by the company to suppliers for credit purchases.
  • Accrued Expenses are expenses incurred but not yet paid, such as utilities not yet billed.
  • Unearned Revenue is money received before delivering goods or services; revenue is recognized upon fulfillment.
  • Bank Loan refers to funds borrowed from banks, either short-term or long-term.

Equity Account Titles

  • Owner’s Capital is the owner’s investment in the business.
  • Owner’s Drawing refers to money or assets withdrawn by the owner for personal use.

Income and Expense Account Titles

  • Sales/Revenue is the income from regular business operations (selling goods or services).
  • Other Income includes earnings not related to main business sales, such as profit from selling used equipment.
  • Salaries Expense is for employee wages.
  • Utilities Expense covers costs like electricity and water; communication expenses may be included or separated.
  • Representation Expense includes business-related meals or entertainment.
  • Rent Expense is the cost for leased business premises.
  • Depreciation Expense is the yearly allocation of the cost of long-term assets.
  • Miscellaneous Expense includes minor costs not categorized elsewhere.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Assets — Resources owned by a business expected to provide future benefits.
  • Liabilities — Obligations or debts owed by the business to others.
  • Equity — The owner’s claim on business assets after liabilities.
  • Accrual Basis — Accounting method where income and expenses are recorded when earned or incurred, not when cash is exchanged.
  • Depreciation — Allocation of the cost of a tangible asset over its useful life.
  • Prepaid Expenses — Payments made in advance for services or goods yet to be received.
  • Unearned Revenue — Cash received before providing goods or services.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Review account titles and their descriptions in your reference books.
  • Prepare to classify accounts as current or non-current in future lessons.
  • Be ready to ask questions or seek clarification as needed.