eBay Financial Overview with Xero

Cross-Border eBay Sales Tracking

Setting Up Your Account for AutomationTo begin automating your accounting tasks, configure Xero to receive data from eBay Managed Payments. By doing so, you ensure that each component of your eBay sales – from income to expenses and VAT – is accurately recorded in the right accounts without manual entry. read about the best eBay Financial Overview with Xero With real-time updates to your financial records in Xero each time a payout occurs from eBay Managed Payments, sellers can have confidence in the accuracy of their financial statements.

Once you have set up the integration via services such as Link My Books, every transaction from eBay Managed Payments is automatically synchronized with Xero. This setup involves linking your eBay Managed Payments to Xero so that each payout received is directly fed into the accounting system.

Advantages over Manual ProcessesAutomating the process reduces human error significantly compared to manual entries. This integration allows automatic synchronization of payout data from eBay Managed Payments to Xero, ensuring all transactions are captured without manual entry.

Such precision in bookkeeping not only mitigates errors but also simplifies the complex process of financial reconciliation. Cost Reduction and Time EfficiencyThe adoption of automated accounting software by eCommerce businesses leads to substantial cost savings and increased efficiency.



EBay Financial Overview with Xero - Cross-Border eBay Sales Tracking

  • eBay Monthly Reconciliation Reports
  • Xero Accounting for eBay Sellers
  • Revenue and Expense Syncing
Steps to Connect Your eBay Store with Xero Effectively

The Role of Automated Accounting Software in eCommerce Growth

This feature not only saves time but also reduces errors associated with manual data entry. With each payout, details such as sales, refunds, fees, and VAT need to be meticulously recorded. Accurate and timely bookkeeping also supports better decision-making in terms of pricing strategies and inventory management which are crucial for staying competitive in a bustling online marketplace. This categorization not only simplifies understanding but also aids in comprehensive financial tracking and reporting. This ensures that every payout, whether it involves sales, refunds, fees, or VAT, is accurately captured.

This direct transfer of detailed financial information into Xero reduces errors and omits the need for manual data entry which can often be time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies. Whether it's understanding sales trends or identifying areas where costs are creeping up, integrated payment solutions ensure that every piece of financial data is right at your fingertips without any delay. Automating this process eliminates the need to manually enter each transaction, thereby reducing errors and saving valuable time. Why Every eBay Seller Should Consider Xero IntegrationStreamlined Financial Data ManagementIntegrating Xero with your eBay store can significantly streamline the management of financial data.

Ultimately, syncing these systems allows ecommerce operators to concentrate on scaling their operations rather than getting bogged down by routine accounting tasks. The single-click reconciliation feature in Xero allows you to accept these matches quickly if everything aligns correctly, confirming that the books are accurate and up-to-date. The system's efficiency not only aids in maintaining precise books but also empowers sellers to focus more on business growth strategies rather than getting bogged down by complex VAT management tasks.

EBay Financial Overview with Xero - Sales & Payout Dashboard

  • Cross-Border eBay Sales Tracking
  • eBay Fee Tracking in Xero
  • eBay Payment Reconciliation
Streamlining Reconciliation ProcessesThe integration offers one-click reconciliation capabilities which match the summary invoice generated by Link My Books directly with the bank deposits received.

When every transaction from eBay Managed Payments is automatically synchronized to Xero, sellers no longer need to manually enter data. Practical Advice for Setting Up Your First eCommerce Accounting SystemChoosing the Right Accounting SoftwareWhen setting up your first eCommerce accounting system, selecting the appropriate software is crucial. First, create accounts on both platforms if you haven't already done so. Facilitating Easy ReconciliationReconciliation remains one of the essential yet daunting tasks for many businesses utilizing eCommerce platforms like eBay.

Track eBay Product Sales in Xero

Detailed Guide on Reconciling Payouts in Xero from eBay Sales

Most importantly for many businesses, they also accurately handle VAT calculations. Automation reduces the hours spent on routine accounting tasks dramatically. The synergy created through such integration enables entrepreneurs to maintain accurate records effortlessly while dedicating more resources towards expanding their business footprint.23 . Enhanced Business InsightsThe integration also provides enhanced visibility into business performance metrics such as cash flows, profitability analysis per item sold on eBay, seasonal trends analyses and more detailed insights which help in making informed business decisions swiftly. Detailed Breakdown of SettlementsOne of the standout features of Link My Books is its ability to provide detailed breakdowns of each payout.

With automated tools like Link My Books, sellers are assured that their entries are mirrored accurately in Xero corresponding to each payout from eBay. Ensuring that your integration tools are correctly set up and regularly updated can help mitigate these issues. As ecommerce continues evolving rapidly, harnessing technology such as Link My Books for integrations like these becomes indispensable for maintaining competitive advantage and fostering sustainable growth. It simplifies understanding overall business performance by aggregating data across platforms which aids in strategic decision-making.

This level of detail provides clarity over financial standings and aids in more accurate bookkeeping. Integrating your eBay sales with Xero, a powerful accounting software, simplifies this process significantly. Sales & Payout Dashboard When you receive a payout, Xero automatically generates an itemized summary that includes sales, refunds, fees, VAT (Value Added Tax), and other pertinent financial information. This customization is particularly important for maintaining clear financial records and can help in quick identification of areas demanding attention - be it cash flow management or tax obligations.

Detailed Financial BreakdownsOne critical feature of integrating eBay with Xero is the detailed breakdown of settlements into various components such as sales, refunds, fees, VAT, and more. Mastering Your eBay Managed Payments Reporting in XeroConnecting eBay Managed Payments to XeroIntegrating eBay with Xero simplifies the process of managing your ecommerce finance by automating data transfers. In effect this means,integrating e-commerce platforms such as eBay with accounting software like Xero not only enhances financial visibility but also empowers businesses to operate more efficiently at reduced costs while staying compliant with tax regulations-all executed through seamless automation that aligns perfectly with growth-oriented strategies. The integration automates the transfer of transaction details directly into Xero from eBay, particularly focusing on managed payments, which are increasingly becoming the norm for eBay transactions.

This software facilitates the smooth transfer of financial data from eBay Managed Payments to Xero, ensuring accuracy and simplifying the reconciliation process. Automating mundane tasks allows sellers to allocate more resources towards innovation and strategic planning. These documents capture all crucial financial activities including sales, refunds, and fees. With each payment processed on eBay, relevant transaction details such as sales, refunds, fees, and VAT are accurately captured and reflected in Xero.

Enhancing Financial Visibility with Integrated e-Commerce PlatformsStreamlining eBay Managed PaymentsThe integration of e-commerce platforms like eBay with accounting software such as Xero has transformed the way businesses handle their financial operations. Steps to Connect Your eBay Store with Xero EffectivelyInitial Setup and IntegrationTo begin integrating your eBay store with Xero, start by selecting an accounting automation tool such as Link My Books. These improvements strive toward simplifying complexities associated with managing online businesses by automating critical processes efficiently while ensuring compliance with legal standards.

This level of automation greatly reduces the potential for human error.

EBay Financial Overview with Xero - Sales Tax Mapping for eBay

  1. Sales Tax Mapping for eBay
  2. Multi-Channel Sales Integration
  3. Multi-Channel Reconciliation Software
Whenever a deposit from an eBay sale hits your bank account, the corresponding invoice created by Link My Books matches this deposit exactly. Regular audits and reconciliations can help ensure that the entries made through automated systems align with actual bank account flows and receipts.

This not only simplifies the reconciliation process but also makes it possible to complete it with a single click. Streamlined Financial ReconciliationOne of the most significant advantages brought about by this integration is the ease of financial reconciliation. Business owners can have confidence that their accounts reflect the true state of their finances at any given time.

How to Automate Your eBay Sales with Xero

These include sales, refunds, fees paid to eBay, and applicable VAT charges. As a round upIn effect this means that integrating automated accounting tools such as Xero with an eCommerce platform like eBay doesn't just simplify financial management-it transforms it into a strategic asset for business growth. Automated Data Synchronization with XeroThe core benefit of using Xero integrated with eBay is the automation of data synchronization. In effect this meanseBay sellers who leverage the power of integrated tools like Link My Books for syncing with Xero are positioned advantageously for growth. With automated summaries from eBay Managed Payments into Xero, each deposit received matches exactly the generated invoice in your books. Every payout from eBay comes with a detailed summary invoice in Xero that mirrors the actual bank deposit. Clean summaries ensure that every component of the transaction is accounted for accurately, thereby streamlining your monthly bookkeeping tasks. With automated systems like Link My Books handling the breakdowns of settlements into distinct categories such as sales and VAT, entrepreneurs gain confidence in their financial insights.

Enhanced Accuracy in BookkeepingAccuracy in financial reporting is paramount for any business, especially in ecommerce where transactions are frequent and varied. Each automated invoice created by Link My Books matches exactly with the deposits received into your bank account from eBay Managed Payments. Customization and FlexibilityAs automation technology matures, so too does the expectation for personalized user experiences. Accuracy in BookkeepingAccuracy in ecommerce bookkeeping is non-negotiable as it directly impacts financial analysis and decision-making processes. This ability to automatically transfer detailed transaction data - including sales, refunds, fees, and VAT - ensures that the financial records are precise and comprehensive. E-commerce operators can leverage accurate financial insights obtained from integrated systems to optimize their operations and marketing efforts effectively competing against rivals. eBay Fee Tracking in Xero Ultimately leading to more focused efforts towards business expansion and enhanced competitive positioning within the market.24 .

Each summarized invoice generated by this integration matches exactly with bank deposits received from eBay sales. This detailed classification not only simplifies understanding where your money is going but also aids significantly during tax season by segregating taxable and non-taxable transactions clearly. The automated system should minimize discrepancies but conducting periodic checks helps catch any potential errors early on. By leveraging such integrations wisely, businesses stand to enhance both profitability and sustainability in an increasingly competitive market. The integration of eBay Managed Payments with Xero simplifies this by automatically syncing payout data directly into Xero. Automated accounting functions free up valuable time which can be redirected towards enhancing customer service, optimizing listing strategies, or expanding product lines-critical factors in driving growth and capturing market share. Rather than manually entering data for each transaction- a laborious and error-prone process-sellers can focus their efforts on strategic activities that enhance business growth.

Errors in accounting can lead to significant issues later on; hence having a system that ensures each entry is correct right from the start becomes invaluable. The capacity to preemptively manage resources based on data-driven insights will significantly enhance strategic planning and decision-making processes. Upcoming enhancements might include more adaptable settings in applications like Link My Books, allowing users to customize how data is processed and reported according to their specific business needs. As a round upIn effect this means that integrating eBay with Xero via specialized services not only streamlines complex multi-channel ecommerce operations but also provides significant advantages by decreasing administrative overheads while increasing accuracy. To put it shortCorrectly integrating eBay with Xero presents numerous challenges ranging from synchronization difficulties to complex reconciliations processes. Each transaction recorded on eBay is mirrored in Xero with detailed breakouts including VAT, making financial tracking straightforward and reliable. Streamlining Financial ReportingWith all financial data from Shopify, Amazon, and eBay flowing into Xero seamlessly, generating reports becomes much easier.

Overcoming Common Challenges in eBay to Xero Integration

Exploring the Features of Link My Books for eBay SellersAutomated Sync of eBay Managed PaymentsLink My Books excels in streamlining the accounting process for eBay sellers by automating the synchronization of eBay Managed Payments payout data with Xero. eBay VAT and Tax Reporting eBay Financial Overview with Xero Setting Up IntegrationOnce you've chosen Xero for your accounting needs, the next step is integrating it with your eBay account.

24 .Building Stronger Financial Practices with Integrated Payment Solutions

Time SavingsThe automation provided by integrating eBay with Xero frees up significant amounts of time for sellers.

EBay Financial Overview with Xero - Cross-Border eBay Sales Tracking

  1. eBay Refund Tracking
  2. Inventory Sync Across Platforms
  3. Expense Categorization for eBay
Detailed Breakdown of SettlementsOne of the standout features of using Xero for eBay sellers is the detailed breakdown of settlements. This integration ensures that each payout is accurately recorded in Xero, complete with a breakdown of sales, refunds, fees, VAT, and more. In Link My Books, set up how you want each element of your eBay payouts - including sales, refunds, fees, and VAT - to be categorized in Xero. The automation provided by integrating eBay with Xero ensures that every entry is recorded precisely as per actual transactions conducted on eBay. Link My Books guarantees that your bookkeeping within Xero remains precise and reliable. Detailed Breakdown of SettlementsTo ensure clarity in your financial records, it's crucial that every settlement is broken down into its constituent parts. Each transaction, whether it's a sale, a refund, or associated fees and VAT, is itemized clearly. Time Management in Accounting TasksFor many eCommerce businessmen, time spent on accounting tasks could be better utilized in business growth activities like marketing or product development. This breakdown is crucial for maintaining accurate and comprehensive bookkeeping records.

Time Efficiency in Accounting TasksFor ecommerce entrepreneurs, time saved on accounting is time gained for business development tasks. Also keep an eye on updates from both eBay and Link My Books or similar services which may affect how transactions are processed and reported. The process includes a detailed breakdown of sales, refunds, fees, VAT, and more. Accurate tracking increases visibility over taxable transactions ensuring compliance while potentially identifying areas where tax reductions are applicable. Since automated summaries match bank deposits perfectly, reconciling accounts becomes a straightforward task often completed with just a single click. Customizing Accounting EntriesCustomization options within this setup allow users to tailor how entries are recorded in Xero. Consequently, not only does this integration save time during monthly accounting routines but it may also positively impact your fiscal responsibilities. This not only speeds up the accounting process but potentially reduces VAT bills through precise calculation and record-keeping, thereby saving money in longer terms. Detailed BreakdownsOnce integrated, every payout from eBay is meticulously broken down within Xero.

Accurate and timely financial reports help in better inventory management, forecasting future trends based on past sales data, managing cash flows effectively during different seasons or promotional periods on platforms like eBay. This automation ensures that every transaction from sales to refunds is captured accurately in real-time, providing a clear and current view of financial health. Automated accounting also opens up possibilities for reducing VAT bills through precise calculations and timely submissions based on accurate data logs. This not only simplifies the reconciliation process but also turns it into a single-click operation-saving significant time and reducing the administrative burden on business owners. To put it shortIn effect this means that implementing integrative techniques between Shopify, Amazon, and eBay accounts facilitates efficient management of an e-commerce enterprise through seamless financial tracking and simplified procedures within Xero software architecture. Instead of sifting through receipts or bank statements, business owners can focus on strategies to enhance customer engagement and expand market reach. The system breaks down settlements into distinct categories like sales, refunds, fees, and VAT within Xero. To overcome this challenge, ensuring that all payment gateways and banking information are consistently updated will facilitate smoother reconciliations. This not only saves time but also enhances overall financial accuracy because there's less room for human error-an essential factor when dealing with intricate details like VAT calculations.

Breaking Down SettlementsHandling settlements efficiently is critical for maintaining accurate books. Reconciliation SimplifiedOne significant advantage offered by integrating your eBay sales into Xero is simplified reconciliation processes. In effect this means,integrating Xero with eBay offers multiple benefits that extend beyond simple bookkeeping. This specificity ensures that sellers can track their financials at a granular level, allowing for precise monitoring and management of cash flows. The Role of Automated Accounting Software in eCommerce GrowthStreamlining eCommerce Through Automated AccountingThe integration of automated accounting software like Xero with eCommerce platforms such as eBay significantly streamlines the financial management process. Integrating all these accounts into Xero allows for a consolidated view of finances. Ensured Accuracy in BookkeepingAccuracy in financial records is paramount for any business. Simplifying eBay Accounting: Tips for Streamlining ProcessesAutomating eBay Transaction Entry with XeroOne of the primary steps in streamlining your eBay accounting is to automate the entry of transactions. This automated process ensures that financial records are consistently up-to-date without requiring constant oversight.

eBay Financial Overview with Xero

Accounting, also known as accountancy, is the process of recording and processing information about economic entities, such as businesses and corporations.[1][2] Accounting measures the results of an organization's economic activities and conveys this information to a variety of stakeholders, including investors, creditors, management, and regulators.[3] Practitioners of accounting are known as accountants. The terms "accounting" and "financial reporting" are often used interchangeably.[4]

Accounting can be divided into several fields including financial accounting, management accounting, tax accounting and cost accounting.[5] Financial accounting focuses on the reporting of an organization's financial information, including the preparation of financial statements, to the external users of the information, such as investors, regulators and suppliers.[6] Management accounting focuses on the measurement, analysis and reporting of information for internal use by management to enhance business operations.[1][6] The recording of financial transactions, so that summaries of the financials may be presented in financial reports, is known as bookkeeping, of which double-entry bookkeeping is the most common system.[7] Accounting information systems are designed to support accounting functions and related activities.

Accounting has existed in various forms and levels of sophistication throughout human history. The double-entry accounting system in use today was developed in medieval Europe, particularly in Venice, and is usually attributed to the Italian mathematician and Franciscan friar Luca Pacioli.[8] Today, accounting is facilitated by accounting organizations such as standard-setters, accounting firms and professional bodies. Financial statements are usually audited by accounting firms,[9] and are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).[6] GAAP is set by various standard-setting organizations such as the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in the United States[1] and the Financial Reporting Council in the United Kingdom. As of 2012, "all major economies" have plans to converge towards or adopt the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).[10][11]

History

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Portrait of Luca Pacioli, painted by Jacopo de' Barbari, 1495 (Museo di Capodimonte)

Accounting is thousands of years old and can be traced to ancient civilizations.[12][13][14] One early development of accounting dates back to ancient Mesopotamia and is closely related to developments in writing, counting and money;[12] there is also evidence of early forms of bookkeeping in ancient Iran,[15][16] and early auditing systems by the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians.[13] By the time of Emperor Augustus, the Roman government had access to detailed financial information.[17]

Many concepts related to today's accounting seem to be initiated in medieval's Middle East. For example, Jewish communities used double-entry bookkeeping in the early-medieval period[18][19] and Muslim societies, at least since the 10th century also used many modern accounting concepts.[20]

The spread of the use of Arabic numerals, instead of the Roman numbers historically used in Europe, increased efficiency of accounting procedures among Mediterranean merchants,[21] who further refined accounting in medieval Europe.[22] With the development of joint-stock companies, accounting split into financial accounting and management accounting.

The first published work on a double-entry bookkeeping system was the Summa de arithmetica, published in Italy in 1494 by Luca Pacioli (the "Father of Accounting").[23][24] Accounting began to transition into an organized profession in the nineteenth century,[25][26] with local professional bodies in England merging to form the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales in 1880.[27]

Etymology

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Early 19th-century ledger

Both the words "accounting" and "accountancy" were in use in Great Britain by the mid-1800s and are derived from the words accompting and accountantship used in the 18th century.[28] In Middle English (used roughly between the 12th and the late 15th century), the verb "to account" had the form accounten, which was derived from the Old French word aconter,[29] which is in turn related to the Vulgar Latin word computare, meaning "to reckon". The base of computare is putare, which "variously meant to prune, to purify, to correct an account, hence, to count or calculate, as well as to think".[29]

The word "accountant" is derived from the French word compter, which is also derived from the Italian and Latin word computare. The word was formerly written in English as "accomptant", but in process of time the word, which was always pronounced by dropping the "p", became gradually changed both in pronunciation and in orthography to its present form.[30]

Terminology

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Accounting has variously been defined as the keeping or preparation of the financial records of transactions of the firm, the analysis, verification and reporting of such records and "the principles and procedures of accounting"; it also refers to the job of being an accountant.[31][32][33]

Accountancy refers to the occupation or profession of an accountant,[34][35][36] particularly in British English.[31][32]

Topics

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Accounting has several subfields or subject areas, including financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, taxation and accounting information systems.[5]

Financial accounting

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Financial accounting focuses on the reporting of an organization's financial information to external users of the information, such as investors, potential investors and creditors. It calculates and records business transactions and prepares financial statements for the external users in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).[6] GAAP, in turn, arises from the wide agreement between accounting theory and practice, and changes over time to meet the needs of decision-makers.[1]

Financial accounting produces past-oriented reports—for example financial statements are often published six to ten months after the end of the accounting period—on an annual or quarterly basis, generally about the organization as a whole.[6]

Management accounting

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Management accounting focuses on the measurement, analysis and reporting of information that can help managers in making decisions to fulfill the goals of an organization. In management accounting, internal measures and reports are based on cost–benefit analysis, and are not required to follow the generally accepted accounting principle (GAAP).[6] In 2014 CIMA created the Global Management Accounting Principles (GMAPs). The result of research from across 20 countries in five continents, the principles aim to guide best practice in the discipline.[37]

Management accounting produces past-oriented reports with time spans that vary widely, but it also encompasses future-oriented reports such as budgets. Management accounting reports often include financial and non financial information, and may, for example, focus on specific products and departments.[6]

Intercompany accounting

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Intercompany accounting focuses on the measurement, analysis and reporting of information between separate entities that are related, such as a parent company and its subsidiary companies. Intercompany accounting concerns record keeping of transactions between companies that have common ownership such as a parent company and a partially or wholly owned subsidiary. Intercompany transactions are also recorded in accounting when business is transacted between companies with a common parent company (subsidiaries).[38][39]

Auditing

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Auditing is the verification of assertions made by others regarding a payoff,[40] and in the context of accounting it is the "unbiased examination and evaluation of the financial statements of an organization".[41] Audit is a professional service that is systematic and conventional.[42]

An audit of financial statements aims to express or disclaim an independent opinion on the financial statements. The auditor expresses an independent opinion on the fairness with which the financial statements presents the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of an entity, in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and "in all material respects". An auditor is also required to identify circumstances in which the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) have not been consistently observed.[43]

Information systems

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An accounting information system is a part of an organization's information system used for processing accounting data.[44] Many corporations use artificial intelligence-based information systems. The banking and finance industry uses AI in fraud detection. The retail industry uses AI for customer services. AI is also used in the cybersecurity industry. It involves computer hardware and software systems using statistics and modeling.[45]

Many accounting practices have been simplified with the help of accounting computer-based software. An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is commonly used for a large organisation and it provides a comprehensive, centralized, integrated source of information that companies can use to manage all major business processes, from purchasing to manufacturing to human resources. These systems can be cloud based and available on demand via application or browser, or available as software installed on specific computers or local servers, often referred to as on-premise.

Tax accounting

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Tax accounting in the United States concentrates on the preparation, analysis and presentation of tax payments and tax returns. The U.S. tax system requires the use of specialised accounting principles for tax purposes which can differ from the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for financial reporting.[46] U.S. tax law covers four basic forms of business ownership: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and limited liability company. Corporate and personal income are taxed at different rates, both varying according to income levels and including varying marginal rates (taxed on each additional dollar of income) and average rates (set as a percentage of overall income).[46]

Forensic accounting

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Forensic accounting is a specialty practice area of accounting that describes engagements that result from actual or anticipated disputes or litigation.[47] "Forensic" means "suitable for use in a court of law", and it is to that standard and potential outcome that forensic accountants generally have to work.

Political campaign accounting

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Political campaign accounting deals with the development and implementation of financial systems and the accounting of financial transactions in compliance with laws governing political campaign operations. This branch of accounting was first formally introduced in the March 1976 issue of The Journal of Accountancy.[48]

Organizations

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Professional bodies

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Professional accounting bodies include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the other 179 members of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC),[49] including Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP), CPA Australia, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Some countries have a single professional accounting body and, in some other countries, professional bodies for subfields of the accounting professions also exist, for example the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in the UK and Institute of management accountants in the United States.[50] Many of these professional bodies offer education and training including qualification and administration for various accounting designations, such as certified public accountant (AICPA) and chartered accountant.[51][52]

Firms

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Depending on its size, a company may be legally required to have their financial statements audited by a qualified auditor, and audits are usually carried out by accounting firms.[9]

Accounting firms grew in the United States and Europe in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, and through several mergers there were large international accounting firms by the mid-twentieth century. Further large mergers in the late twentieth century led to the dominance of the auditing market by the "Big Five" accounting firms: Arthur Andersen, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers.[53] The demise of Arthur Andersen following the Enron scandal reduced the Big Five to the Big Four.[54]

Standard-setters

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Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are accounting standards issued by national regulatory bodies. In addition, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issues the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) implemented by 147 countries.[1] Standards for international audit and assurance, ethics, education, and public sector accounting are all set by independent standard settings boards supported by IFAC. The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board sets international standards for auditing, assurance, and quality control; the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) [55] sets the internationally appropriate principles-based Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants; the International Accounting Education Standards Board (IAESB) sets professional accounting education standards;[56] and International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) sets accrual-based international public sector accounting standards.[57][4]

Organizations in individual countries may issue accounting standards unique to the countries. For example, in Australia, the Australian Accounting Standards Board manages the issuance of the accounting standards in line with IFRS. In the United States the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issues the Statements of Financial Accounting Standards, which form the basis of US GAAP,[1] and in the United Kingdom the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) sets accounting standards.[58] However, as of 2012 "all major economies" have plans to converge towards or adopt the IFRS.[10]

Education, training and qualifications

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Degrees

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At least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field is required for most accountant and auditor job positions, and some employers prefer applicants with a master's degree.[59] A degree in accounting may also be required for, or may be used to fulfill the requirements for, membership to professional accounting bodies. For example, the education during an accounting degree can be used to fulfill the American Institute of CPA's (AICPA) 150 semester hour requirement,[60] and associate membership with the Certified Public Accountants Association of the UK is available after gaining a degree in finance or accounting.[61]

A doctorate is required in order to pursue a career in accounting academia, for example, to work as a university professor in accounting.[62][63] The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) are the most popular degrees. The PhD is the most common degree for those wishing to pursue a career in academia, while DBA programs generally focus on equipping business executives for business or public careers requiring research skills and qualifications.[62]

Professional qualifications

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Professional accounting qualifications include the chartered accountant designations and other qualifications including certificates and diplomas.[64] In Scotland, chartered accountants of ICAS undergo Continuous Professional Development and abide by the ICAS code of ethics.[65] In England and Wales, chartered accountants of the ICAEW undergo annual training, and are bound by the ICAEW's code of ethics and subject to its disciplinary procedures.[66]

In the United States, the requirements for joining the AICPA as a Certified Public Accountant are set by the Board of Accountancy of each state, and members agree to abide by the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct and Bylaws.

The ACCA is the largest global accountancy body with over 320,000 members, and the organisation provides an 'IFRS stream' and a 'UK stream'. Students must pass a total of 14 exams, which are arranged across three levels.[67]

Research

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Accounting research is research in the effects of economic events on the process of accounting, the effects of reported information on economic events, and the roles of accounting in organizations and society.[68][69] It encompasses a broad range of research areas including financial accounting, management accounting, auditing and taxation.[70]

Accounting research is carried out both by academic researchers and practicing accountants. Methodologies in academic accounting research include archival research, which examines "objective data collected from repositories"; experimental research, which examines data "the researcher gathered by administering treatments to subjects"; analytical research, which is "based on the act of formally modeling theories or substantiating ideas in mathematical terms"; interpretive research, which emphasizes the role of language, interpretation and understanding in accounting practice, "highlighting the symbolic structures and taken-for-granted themes which pattern the world in distinct ways"; critical research, which emphasizes the role of power and conflict in accounting practice; case studies; computer simulation; and field research.[71][72]

Empirical studies document that leading accounting journals publish in total fewer research articles than comparable journals in economics and other business disciplines,[73] and consequently, accounting scholars[74] are relatively less successful in academic publishing than their business school peers.[75] Due to different publication rates between accounting and other business disciplines, a recent study based on academic author rankings concludes that the competitive value of a single publication in a top-ranked journal is highest in accounting and lowest in marketing.[76]

Scandals

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The year 2001 witnessed a series of financial information frauds involving Enron, auditing firm Arthur Andersen, the telecommunications company WorldCom, Qwest and Sunbeam, among other well-known corporations. These problems highlighted the need to review the effectiveness of accounting standards, auditing regulations and corporate governance principles. In some cases, management manipulated the figures shown in financial reports to indicate a better economic performance. In others, tax and regulatory incentives encouraged over-leveraging of companies and decisions to bear extraordinary and unjustified risk.[77]

The Enron scandal deeply influenced the development of new regulations to improve the reliability of financial reporting, and increased public awareness about the importance of having accounting standards that show the financial reality of companies and the objectivity and independence of auditing firms.[77]

In addition to being the largest bankruptcy reorganization in American history, the Enron scandal undoubtedly is the biggest audit failure[78] causing the dissolution of Arthur Andersen, which at the time was one of the five largest accounting firms in the world. After a series of revelations involving irregular accounting procedures conducted throughout the 1990s, Enron filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2001.[79]

One consequence of these events was the passage of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act in the United States in 2002, as a result of the first admissions of fraudulent behavior made by Enron. The act significantly raises criminal penalties for securities fraud, for destroying, altering or fabricating records in federal investigations or any scheme or attempt to defraud shareholders.[80]

Fraud and error

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Accounting fraud is an intentional misstatement or omission in the accounting records by management or employees which involves the use of deception. It is a criminal act and a breach of civil tort. It may involve collusion with third parties.[81]

An accounting error is an unintentional misstatement or omission in the accounting records, for example misinterpretation of facts, mistakes in processing data, or oversights leading to incorrect estimates.[81] Acts leading to accounting errors are not criminal but may breach civil law, for example, the tort of negligence.

The primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud and errors rests with the entity's management.[81]

See also

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  • Accounting information system
  • Accounting records

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Needles, Belverd E.; Powers, Marian (2013). Principles of Financial Accounting. Financial Accounting Series (12 ed.). Cengage Learning.
  2. ^ Accounting Research Bulletins No. 7 Reports of Committee on Terminology (Report). Committee on Accounting Procedure, American Institute of Accountants. November 1940. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
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[edit]
  • Library resources in your library and in other libraries about accounting
  • Operations Research in Accounting on the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences website

Vat or VAT may refer to:

Container

[edit]
  • Barrel for alcoholic beverage or other liquid

Economics

[edit]
  • Value-added tax, a consumption tax levied on value added
    • VAT identification number
    • Value Added Tax (United Kingdom)

Places

[edit]
  • Vatican City, ISO country code VAT
  • Vát, a village in Hungary

Other uses

[edit]
  • Vat 69, a Scotch blended whisky
  • VAT 69 Commando, elite special forces of the Royal Malaysian Police
  • Vanajan Autotehdas (VAT), former heavy vehicle producer in Finland
  • Veterans Against Terrorism, UK political advocacy group
  • Virtual Allocation Table, a component of the Universal Disk Format

See also

[edit]
  • Vats (disambiguation)
  • All pages with titles beginning with Vat
  • All pages with titles containing Vat

Xero may refer to:

  • Xero (band), an Australian punk band
  • Xero (company), a New Zealand financial software company
  • Xero (film), an experimental 2010 German film
  • Xero (Linkin Park), an early name for the band Linkin Park, as well as a demo tape of the same name
  • Xero (SF fanzine), American fanzine published from 1960 to 1963
  • Xero (comics), comic book series and superhero created by Christopher Priest and ChrisCross
  • Xero Shoes, a brand of minimalist footwear

See also

[edit]
  • Xeros (disambiguation)
  • Zero (disambiguation)