Key Concepts in Financial Accounting
Key Concepts in Financial Accounting
2. Measures ability to pay current liabilities from cash and near-cash items.
5. The actuarial present value of benefits (whether vested or nonvested) attributed to employee service rendered
before a specified date and based on employee service and compensation before that
date
6. A market in which transactions for the asset or liability take place with sufficient frequency and volume to
provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
7. The difference between the fair value of plan assets at the end of the period and the fair
value at the beginning of the period, adjusted for contribution and benefits payments.
8. Seeks to estimate the amount of uncollectible receivables and establishes a contra valuation
account (allowance for bad debts) for the amount estimated to be uncollectible.
10. Requires servicing assets and servicing liabilities to be initially recorded at fair value. Assets
are then amortized to and for receipt of estimated net servicing income or net servicing loss.
11. A “probable future economic benefit obtained or controlled by a particular entity as a result of past
transactions or events.”
13. An order from a bank customer to pay a specified sum of money (like a postdated check) that may be bought
and sold.
14. Allows the lessee to purchase leased property for an amount substantially lower than the expected FMV at the
option's exercise date.
15. Measures the performance of the entity over the reporting period.
16. Payments to which participants may be entitled under a pension plan, including pension benefits, death
benefits, and benefits due on termination of employment.
17. An equal portion of the total estimated benefit is attributed to each year of service.
The actuarial present value of the benefits is derived after the benefits are attributed to the periods.
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18. Not a meaningful measure because assets are carried at historical costs
19. The corporation has the option to repurchase the preferred stock at a specified price.
20. They are not normal, recurring expenses; they benefit the operations of more than one period.
21. A lease substantially transfers all of the benefits and risks to property ownership.
23. Includes cash (cash on hand and demand deposits) and cash equivalents (short-term, highly liquid
investments).
24. Recognizes income when cash is received and expenses when cash is disbursed.
25. The only asset is cash; revenue is recognized when cash is received, and expenses are
recognized when paid.
26. Readily convertible into cash and so near maturity, they carry little risk of changing value due to interest rate
changes.
27. Which is a net realizable value (the selling price less selling costs and costs to complete)
29. A transaction lacks commercial substance if the configuration of cash flows is significantly
different due to the exchange.
31. Obligations may exist but are dependent on uncertain future events.
32. A pension plan under which employees contribute part of the cost.
33. Preferred stockholders can exchange their stock for common stock at a specified ratio.
35. A valuation technique that reflects the amount that would be required currently to replace the service capacity
of an asset.
37. Dividends not paid in any year (dividends in arrears) must be made up before distributions can be made to
common stockholders
38. Cash and other assets or resources that are reasonably expected to be realized in cash or sold or consumed
during the normal operating cycle of the business.
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39. The amount of cash, or its equivalent, that would be paid if the same asset were to be acquired currently
40. A method of valuing and reporting assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses at their current
cost at the balance sheet date or the date of their use or sale.
41. Obligations whose liquidation is reasonably expected to require the use of existing resources properly
classifiable as current assets or the creation of other current liabilities.
42. The amount of cash, or its equivalent, could be obtained by selling as an asset in an orderly liquidation.
43. Measures ability to pay current liabilities from cash, near-cash, and cash flow items
44. The amount of income taxes paid or payable (or refundable) for a year as determined by applying the
provisions of the tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues for that year.”
45. A receivable or payable (collectively referred to as debt) represents a contractual right to receive money or a
contractual obligation to pay money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that are already included as
an asset or liability in the creditor’s or debtor’s balance sheet at the time of the restructuring
49. The deferred tax consequences attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards
50. The change during the year in an enterprise’s deferred tax liabilities or assets
51. An amount recognized for the deferred tax consequence of temporary differences
will result in taxable amounts in future years.
53. A plan that provides an individual account for each participant and provides benefits that
are based on amounts contributed.
55. Is the annual charge to income for asset use during the period.
56. The amount of cash and time of payment is known and reasonably precise.
57. The difference between the cost of the investment and the underlying book value of the investee's net assets.
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58. Measures the entity's performance over the reporting period (same as basic EPS) while also considering the
effect of all dilutive potential common shares that were outstanding during the period.
59. Cash flow elements of operating activities are derived from the accrual basis components of net income.
60. Considers only variable costs as product costs and fixed production costs as period costs.
61. Bad debts are considered expenses in the period in which they are written off
62. Each interim period is a separate accounting period; the interim period must stand on its own; same principles
and procedures as for annual reports; no special accruals or deferrals.
63. The difference between the net proceeds, after expense, received upon issuance of debt and the amount
repayable at maturity.
65. A present value technique that uses a risk-adjusted discount rate and contractual, promised, or most likely
cash flows
67. The rate of return implicit in the loan, that is, the contractual interest rate adjusted for any net
deferred loan fees or costs, premium, or discount existing at the origination or acquisition of the loan.
68. Required for investments that give the investor the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating
and financial policies of the investee.
69. Include ownership interests (common, preferred, and other capital stock), rights to acquire ownership interests
(put options).
70. A qualified stock bonus plan designed to invest primarily in qualifying employer securities, including stock
and other marketable obligations.
72. An amount calculated as a basis for determining the extent of delayed recognition of
the effects of changes in the fair value of assets. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the
expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets.
74. Selling receivables at a discount to obtain immediate cash. Traditionally involves the outright sale of
receivables to a financing institution known as a factor.
75. The price that would be received to sell an asset or to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between
market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions.
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76. Servicing assets and servicing liabilities are initially recorded at fair value. The fair value is measured at each
reporting date
77. An election can be made to value certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value.
78. Prospective financial statements present the responsible party's knowledge and belief in the expected financial
position, results of operations, and cash flows.
79. Prospective financial statements that present the knowledge and belief of the responsible party,
based on one or more hypothetical assumptions, the enterprise’s financial position, results of operations, and
cash flows
80. The goods from the beginning inventory and the earliest purchases are assumed to be the
goods sold first.
81. The capitalized amount of expenditures made to acquire tangible property which will be used for more than
one year
83. Title passes to the buyer when the goods are received at their final destination
84. Title passes to the buyer when the carrier receives the goods
85. The amount that will be available at some point in the future if an amount is deposited today and earns
compound interest for “n” periods
86. The amount available “n” periods in the future as a result of the deposit of an
amount (A) at the end of every period “l” through “n.”
87. A change in the value of either the projected benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from experience
different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption. Gains and losses are not recognized
in net periodic pension costs when they arise and are recognized in other comprehensive income.
88. A guaranteed residual value of the leased asset at the end of the lease
89. This category includes only debt securities and requires the positive
intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity (not simply an absence of intent to sell).
90. The use of a nonfinancial asset by market participants that would maximize the value of the
asset or the group of assets and liabilities within which the asset would be used.
92. In connection with the licensing of software products, an arrangement in which an end user of the software
does not take possession of the software; instead, the software application resides in the vendor’s or a third
party’s hardware, and the customer accesses and uses the software on an as-needed basis over the Internet or
via a dedicated line.
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93. The difference between the stock's market value and the price the employee must pay.
94. Any subsequent discount taken is shown as a purchase discount, which is netted against the purchase account
in determining the cost of goods sold.
95. Occurs when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group exceeds its fair value.
96. A valuation technique converts future amounts to a single current amount. The fair value measurement is
determined based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts.
97. Starts with income from continuing operations and adjusts for changes in operating-related accounts (e.g.,
inventory and accounts payable) and noncash expenses, revenues, losses, and gains.
98. The underlying event or transaction should be of a type that would not reasonably be
expected to recur in the foreseeable future, taking into account the environment in which an entity operates
102. Each interim period is an integral part of an annual period; expectations for a yearly period must be reflected
in interim reports; special accruals, deferrals, and allocations are utilized.
103. The amount recognized in a period is determined as the increase in the projected benefit obligation due to
time.
104. Describe financial reporting for periods of less than one year.
105. Measures the number of times inventory was sold and reflects inventory order and investment
policies.
106. A contract between two parties - a lessor and a lessee that gives a lessee rights to use the lessor’s property for
a specified time in return for periodic cash payments (rent) to the lessor
108. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the
measurement date
109. Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly
or indirectly
111. A “probable futures sacrifices of economic benefits arising from present obligations.”
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113. A group of financial institutions (called participating interest holders) purchases a share of a financial
instrument (e.g., a loan).
114. Occur when losses in the current period are carried back to periods in which there was income
115. Segment reporting is based on the way management organizes segments internally to make
operating decisions and assess performance.
116. A valuation technique uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving
identical or comparable assets, liabilities, or a group of assets and liabilities, such as a business.
117. A balance is used to calculate the expected return on plan assets. The market-related value of plan assets is
either fair value or an estimated value that recognizes changes in fair value systematically and rationally over
not more than five years.
118. The payments that the lessor/lessee is or can be required to make in connection
with the leased property
119. Cash basis financial statements with modifications that have substantial
support.
120. The market maximizes the price received to sell the asset or minimizes the amount to be paid to transfer the
liability taking into account transaction costs and transportation costs.
121. The average cost of goods on hand must be recalculated any time additional inventory is purchased at a unit
cost different from the previously calculated average cost of goods on hand.
122. A pension plan maintained by more than one employer but not treated as a multiemployer
plan.
123. Any purchase discounts offered are assumed to be taken, and the purchase account reflects the net price.
124. The amount recognized in an employer’s financial statements as the cost of a pension plan
for a period. The net periodic pension cost components are service cost, the interest cost, the actual return on
plan assets, gain or loss, amortization of prior service cost or credit, and amortization of the transition asset or
obligation.
125. The nondiscounted amount of cash, or its equivalent, into which an asset is expected to be converted during
the normal course of business, less direct costs to make the conversion.
126. It is a reciprocal transfer wherein the transferor has no substantial continuing involvement in
the asset and the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred.
127. The average length of time receivables is outstanding, which reflects credit and collection policies.
128. The number of days inventory is held before sale; reflects the efficiency of inventory policies.
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129. Inputs that are developed using market data and that reflect the assumptions that market participants would
use when pricing the asset or liability
130. A component of an enterprise engaged in business activity for which it may earn revenues and incur expenses,
about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating
decision makers to allocate resources and assess performance.
131. The risks and rewards of owning the asset remain with the lessor.
133. Share with common stockholders in dividend distributions after both preferred and common stockholders
receive a specified dividend payment.
134. All capital balances associated with the treasury shares are removed upon acquisition
135. Periodic (usually monthly) payments are made under the terms of the pension plan to a person who has retired
from employment or to that person’s beneficiary.
136. Recognition of contract revenue and profit during construction based on expected total
profit and estimated progress towards completion in the current period.
139. A running total of the units on hand (and possibly their value) is kept by recording all increases and decreases.
140. A change in an existing plan or the initiation of a new one. A plan amendment may increase benefits,
including those attributed to years of service already rendered.
141. Assets - stocks, bonds, and other investments - that have been segregated and restricted, usually in a trust, to
provide pension benefits. The amount of plan assets includes amounts contributed by the employer and by
employees for a contributory plan, and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid
142. A more cost-effective way of achieving the same or similar accounting or reporting objectives.
144. The excess of the net proceeds, after expense, received upon issuance of debt over the amount repayable at its
maturity.
145. The current measure of an estimated future cash inflow or outflow is discounted at an interest rate for the
period between today and the date of the estimated cash outflow.
A tool used to link future amounts to a present amount using a discount rate.
The amount you would pay now for an amount to be received “n” periods in the future given an interest rate
of “i.”
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146. The value today, given a discount rate, of a series of future payments.
147. A market in which the greatest volume and level of activity occurs.
148. The cost of retroactive benefits granted in a plan amendment. Retroactive benefits are benefits granted in a
plan amendment (or initiation) that are attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee services
rendered in periods before the amendment.
149. The likelihood of a future event taking place or failing to take place which would resolve the uncertain
151. The actuarial present value as of a date for all benefits attributed by the pension benefit
formula to employee service rendered before that date.
152. Dividends payable in an asset other than cash; the entries are similar to those of cash dividends.
153. The change is accounted for in the current period and future periods.
155. Result from legally enforceable contracts to purchase specific quantities of goods at fixed
prices in the future.
156. Allows companies to avoid formal bankruptcy proceedings through an informal proceeding
157. Measures the return earned on the stockholders’ investment in the firm
158. When related assets received or held are readily convertible into known amounts of cash or
cash claims.
159. The difference between current cost and historical cost of asset consumed.
161. The amount of the investment in a loan, which is not net of a valuation allowance, but which
does reflect any direct write-down of the investment.
162. An agreement to sell a financial asset to a lender and later repurchase the financial asset.
These agreements are in effect using the asset as collateral for a loan
163. A repurchase agreement where the settlement date and the maturity date of the
financial assets are the same, thus not requiring the transferor to reacquire the financial asset.
164. Person(s), usually management, who are responsible for assumptions underlying the information
165. The process of revising previously issued financial statements to correct an error.
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166. Applying a different accounting principle to previously issued financial statements as if that principle had
always been used.
167. A program that is planned and controlled by management and materially changes either (1) the scope of the
business or (2) how the business is conducted.
169. Market place participants prefer situations with less uncertainty relative to an expected outcome
170. Compensation is sought by risk-averse market participants for bearing the uncertainty inherent in the cash
flows of an asset or a liability.
171. Issuance of promises to pay dividends in the future (may bear interest) instead of cash.
173. Purchasing and selling securities that are collateralized by a pool of assets, such as a group of
receivables.
175. The absolute amount of segment profit or loss is 10% or more of the greater, in absolute amount, combined
profit of segments reporting profit or combined loss of segments reporting a loss.
176. The absolute amount of segment profit or loss is 10% or more of the greater, in absolute amount, combined
profit of segments reporting profit or combined loss of segments reporting a loss.
177. Segment revenue (including intersegment revenue) is 10% or more of combined segment revenue (including
intersegment revenue).
179. A component of net periodic pension cost recognized in a period is determined as the actuarial present value
of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during that period.
180. A distinct asset or liability only when separated contractually from the underlying.
181. Transactions wherein an entity acquires goods or services by issuing shares (stock), share
options, or other equity instruments.
182. The seller does not weigh the average for units purchased or in the beginning inventory
183. A pension plan that one employer maintains. The term also may be used to describe a
a plan maintained by related parties such as a parent and its subsidiaries.
185. Provides information about an entity’s cash receipts and cash payments and discloses information about the
financing and investing activities of an entity
186. One-time activities related to opening a new facility or new class of customers, initiating a new process in an
existing facility, or some new operation.
The costs incurred during undertaking on-time activities related to opening a new facility
187. Predetermined costs in a cost accounting system are generally used for control purposes
188. Allows employees to receive stock or cash equal to the difference between the market value and some
predetermined amount per share for a certain number of shares.
189. Change the number of shares outstanding and the par value per share.
190. Events occurring after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued or
available to be issued.
191. This exists when conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, indicate that the entity will be unable to
meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued
(or one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued when applicable).
192. The common risk shared by an asset or a liability with the other items in a diversified portfolio.
194. Occurs when losses in the current period are carried forward to future years
195. A difference between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the financial statements
will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years when the reported amount of the asset or liability
is recovered or settled, respectively.
197. These are discounts that are allowed to the entity because it is a wholesaler, a good customer, or merely the
fact that the item is on sale at a reduced price
198. Debt and equity securities purchased and held principally to generate gains on current resale are classified as
trading securities.
199. Selling receivables at a discount to obtain immediate cash but retaining the risk of loss if the customer does
not pay the amount owned.
202. A restructuring of a debt constitutes a troubled debt restructuring if the creditor for
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economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties grants a concession to the debtor that it
would not otherwise consider.
203. The excess of the projected benefit obligation over plan assets.
204. The estimated residual value of the leased asset at the end of the lease.
205. Increases in the current cost of assets held throughout the year.
207. An unusual or infrequent event is considered to be material that does not qualify as
extraordinary.
208. The underlying event or transaction should possess a high degree of abnormality and be unrelated to, or
incidentally related to, the ordinary and typical activities of the entity, taking into account the environment in
which the entity operates.
210. A security that gives the holder the right to purchase shares of common stock by the terms of the instrument,
usually upon payment of a specified amount.
211. The seller averaged the cost of all items on hand and purchased during the period. The units in ending
inventory and units sold (CGS) are costed at this average cost.
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SHORT ANSWER
1. ANS:
Absorption costing
2. ANS:
Acid-test (quick) ratio
3. ANS:
Accrual
4. ANS:
Accrual basis
5. ANS:
Accumulated benefit obligation
6. ANS:
Active market
7. ANS:
Actual return on plan assets
8. ANS:
Allowance method
9. ANS:
Amortized cost
10. ANS:
Amortization method
11. ANS:
Asset
12. ANS:
Available-for-sale securities
13. ANS:
Banker’s acceptance
14. ANS:
Bargain purchase option (BPO)
15. ANS:
Basic EPS
16. ANS:
Benefits
17. ANS:
Benefit-years-of-service approach
18. ANS:
Book value of a common stock (at a point in time)
19. ANS:
Callable
20. ANS:
Capital expenditures
21. ANS:
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Capital lease
22. ANS:
Capitalize
23. ANS:
Cash
24. ANS:
Cash basis
25. ANS:
Cash basis financial statement
26. ANS:
Cash equivalents
27. ANS:
Ceiling
28. ANS:
Change in accounting principle
29. ANS:
Commercial substance
30. ANS:
Completed-contract method
31. ANS:
Contingent liabilities
32. ANS:
Contributory plan
33. ANS:
Convertible
34. ANS:
Correction of error
35. ANS:
Cost approach
36. ANS:
Cost method
37. ANS:
Cumulative
38. ANS:
Current asset
39. ANS:
Current cost
40. ANS:
Current cost accounting
41. ANS:
Current liabilities
42. ANS:
Current market value
43. ANS:
Current ratio
44. ANS:
Current tax expense or benefit
45. ANS:
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Debt
46. ANS:
Debt securities
47. ANS:
Debt to equity
48. ANS:
Deferral
49. ANS:
Deferred tax asset
50. ANS:
Deferred tax expense or benefit
51. ANS:
Deferred tax liability
52. ANS:
Defined benefit pension plan
53. ANS:
Defined contribution plan
54. ANS:
Depletion
55. ANS:
Depreciation
56. ANS:
Determinable liabilities
57. ANS:
Differential
58. ANS:
Diluted EPS
59. ANS:
Direct method
60. ANS:
Direct (Variable) costing
61. ANS:
Direct write-off
62. ANS:
Discrete view
63. ANS:
Discount
64. ANS:
Discontinued operation
65. ANS:
Discount rate adjustment technique
66. ANS:
Dividend payout
67. ANS:
Effective interest rate
68. ANS:
Equity method
69. ANS:
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Equity securities
70. ANS:
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
71. ANS:
Expected cash flow
72. ANS:
Expected return on plan assets
73. ANS:
Extraordinary items
74. ANS:
Factoring
75. ANS:
Fair value
76. ANS:
Fair value method
77. ANS:
Fair value option for reporting financial assets and financial liabilities
78. ANS:
Financial forecast
79. ANS:
Financial projection
80. ANS:
First-In, First-Out (FIFO)
81. ANS:
Fixed assets
82. ANS:
Floor
83. ANS:
FOB destination
84. ANS:
FOB shipping point
85. ANS:
Future value
86. ANS:
Future value of an ordinary annuity
87. ANS:
Gain or loss
88. ANS:
Guaranteed residual value (GRV)
89. ANS:
Held-to-maturity securities (amortized cost)
90. ANS:
Highest and best use
91. ANS:
Historical cost
92. ANS:
Hosting Arrangement
93. ANS:
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Intrinsic value
94. ANS:
Gross method
95. ANS:
Impairment
96. ANS:
Income approach
97. ANS:
Indirect method
98. ANS:
Infrequency of Occurrence
99. ANS:
Initial direct costs
100. ANS:
Installment sales
101. ANS:
Intangible assets
102. ANS:
Integral view
103. ANS:
Interest cost.
104. ANS:
Interim reporting
105. ANS:
Inventory turnover
106. ANS:
Lease
107. ANS:
Length of an operating cycle
108. ANS:
Level 1 inputs
109. ANS:
Level 2 inputs
110. ANS:
Level 3 inputs
111. ANS:
Liability
112. ANS:
Liquidating dividends (dividends based on other than earnings)
113. ANS:
Loan participations
114. ANS:
Loss carrybacks
115. ANS:
Management approach
116. ANS:
Market approach
117. ANS:
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Plan assets
142. ANS:
Practical expedient
143. ANS:
Preferred stock
144. ANS:
Premium
145. ANS:
Present value
146. ANS:
Present value of an ordinary annuity
147. ANS:
Principle market
148. ANS:
Prior service cost
149. ANS:
Probable
150. ANS:
Product cost
151. ANS:
Projected benefit obligation
152. ANS:
Property dividends
153. ANS:
Prospective application
154. ANS:
Prospective financial information
155. ANS:
Purchase commitments
156. ANS:
Quasi reorganization
157. ANS:
Rate of return on common stockholders’ equity
158. ANS:
Realized (realizable)
159. ANS:
Realized holding gains
160. ANS:
Receivable turnover
161. ANS:
Recorded investment
162. ANS:
Repurchase agreements
163. ANS:
Repurchase-to-Maturity Transaction
164. ANS:
Responsible party
165. ANS:
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Restatement
166. ANS:
Retrospective application
167. ANS:
Restructuring
168. ANS:
Revenue expenditures
169. ANS:
Risk-averse
170. ANS:
Risk premium
171. ANS:
Scrip dividends
172. ANS:
Secured borrowing
173. ANS:
Securitizations
174. ANS:
Segment assets
175. ANS:
Segment operating profit or loss
176. ANS:
Segment operating profit or loss
177. ANS:
Segment revenues
178. ANS:
Serial bands
179. ANS:
Service cost
180. ANS:
Servicing
181. ANS:
Share-based payments
182. ANS:
Simple average
183. ANS:
Single-employer plan
184. ANS:
Specific identification
185. ANS:
Statement of cash flows
186. ANS:
Start-up costs
187. ANS:
Standard costs
188. ANS:
Stock appreciation rights (SAR)
189. ANS:
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Stock splits
190. ANS:
Subsequent events
191. ANS:
Substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern
192. ANS:
Systematic risk
193. ANS:
Tangible property
194. ANS:
Tax loss carryforwards
195. ANS:
Temporary difference
196. ANS:
Term bonds
197. ANS:
Trade discounts
198. ANS:
Trading securities (subsequently measured at fair value)
199. ANS:
Transfers of receivables with recourse
200. ANS:
Transfer of receivables without recourse
201. ANS:
Treasury stock
202. ANS:
Troubled debt restructuring
203. ANS:
Unfunded projected benefit obligation
204. ANS:
Unguaranteed residual value
205. ANS:
Unrealized holding gains
206. ANS:
Unsystematic risk
207. ANS:
Unusual or infrequent items
208. ANS:
Unusual Nature
209. ANS:
Vested benefit obligation
210. ANS:
Warrant
211. ANS:
Weighted-average