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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements best explains the accounting cycle?
A
It is the process of preparing tax returns for a business entity.
B
It is the process of recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions to prepare financial statements.
C
It is the process of analyzing only cash transactions within a business.
D
It is the process of setting company budgets for the upcoming fiscal year.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of the accounting cycle. The accounting cycle refers to the systematic process of recording, classifying, summarizing, and reporting financial transactions to prepare financial statements. It ensures that all financial data is accurately captured and reported.
Step 2: Analyze the options provided in the problem. The first option mentions preparing tax returns, which is not part of the accounting cycle. The third option focuses only on cash transactions, which is too narrow and does not encompass the full scope of the accounting cycle. The fourth option discusses setting company budgets, which is a separate process from the accounting cycle.
Step 3: Identify the correct option. The second option correctly describes the accounting cycle as the process of recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions to prepare financial statements. This aligns with the definition of the accounting cycle.
Step 4: Relate the accounting cycle to its practical application. The accounting cycle typically includes steps such as identifying transactions, recording them in journals, posting to ledgers, preparing trial balances, adjusting entries, and generating financial statements.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is the second option, as it accurately captures the essence of the accounting cycle and its purpose in financial accounting.