Accounting is one of the most critical functions for any company. It may be performed by a single bookkeeper in a small business or by sizable finance departments with dozens of employees at larger enterprises. In its simplest form, accounting is the process of recording financial transactions for a company and summarizing them into useful and understandable information. It helps owners, managers and external users make informed decisions about a company’s operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Every profit-seeking business organization that has economic resources – such as money, machinery and buildings – requires accounting. Even not-for-profit organizations like governments, churches, fraternities and charities need accounting. Whether you’re running a business or just thinking about starting one, understanding the basics of accounting can help you manage everyday financial activities, comply with tax regulations and generate insights into your organization’s performance.

The goal of accounting is to record and report on the financial activity of an organization in a timely, accurate and consistent manner. To achieve this goal, accountants use a system of rules and practices that have evolved over time. These systems are known as the accounting principles and they provide a framework that ensures that the five major account types–revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities and equity–balance.

Another important function of accounting is to communicate a company’s results to internal and external users. Investors, lenders and government agencies rely on the accuracy of a company’s accounting records when making decisions about investing capital or borrowing funds. Additionally, the management team of a business uses accounting to monitor financial trends and prepare for future growth. Buchhaltung