Question 1: This Is Finance Class. There Are Two Problems Bu
Question 1this Is Finance Class They Are Two Problems But Its One Q
This assignment involves analyzing financial transactions and their impact on the fundamental accounting equation, as well as recording these transactions with appropriate journal entries. The first part focuses on HELP's initial account balances and subsequent financial events during the year, including revenue recognition, loan repayment, purchases, accounts payable, asset replacement, and payroll payments. The second part involves ARCH's opening balances and multiple transactions, including pledge collections, ordering assets, grants, donations, purchases, borrowing, interest payments, payroll, sales, receivables, and depreciation, with an emphasis on recording these transactions and their impact on financial statements.
Specifically, you are asked to record the opening balances and the transactions described, and analyze their effects on the accounting equation. The goal is to demonstrate understanding of how different types of transactions—cash collections, borrowings, purchases, grants, personnel expenses, sales, and depreciation—affect assets, liabilities, and net assets (or equity). Additionally, you are expected to prepare journal entries where appropriate and provide an analysis of the effects these transactions have on financial positions at year-end.
Paper For Above instruction
The financial position and operations of nonprofit entities such as hospitals and research organizations involve complex transactions that influence their financial statements and overall fiscal health. This paper analyzes the transactions of HELP, a hospital, and ARCH, a research organization, demonstrating how these activities impact their respective accounting equations and financial statements, emphasizing the importance of accurate recording and understanding of financial flows.
HELP’s Financial Transactions and Their Impact on the Accounting Equation
At the outset, HELP’s initial account balances reflect its wealth and liabilities, with assets such as cash, accounts receivable, supplies, and equipment, offset by liabilities like accounts payable, wages payable, and a line of credit, and supported by net assets classified as temporarily and permanently restricted, as well as unrestricted assets. Recording these opening balances involves debiting and crediting appropriate accounts to mirror the actual fiscal standing. For example, cash and accounts receivable are assets increased on the debit side, with liabilities such as accounts payable and line of credit recorded as credits.
The subsequent transactions provide insight into HELP’s operational cash flows and obligations:
- Collection of $250,000 from Medicare, a receivable earned in a prior fiscal year, increases cash and decreases accounts receivable, with no immediate effect on net assets.
- Repayment of $100,000 on the line of credit reduces liabilities, specifically the line of credit account, with an outflow of cash.
- Purchase of supplies for $25,000 involves increasing supplies assets and decreasing cash, reflecting resource consumption and cash spent.
- Receiving an invoice for $75,000 for next year’s fees elevates accounts payable and temporarily restricted net assets, indicating an obligation not yet settled with cash remaining unaltered until paid.
- Replacement of patient examination tables costing $50,000, with a $10,000 cash down payment, increases equipment assets and reduces cash, with the balance owed recorded as accounts payable, affecting assets and liabilities accordingly.
- Paying $65,000 to employees for services earned last year reduces cash and wages payable, reflecting settling outstanding obligations, with no immediate impact on net assets as expenses were recognized earlier.
These transactions, when recorded using journal entries, uphold the fundamental accounting equation assets = liabilities + net assets. For instance, cash decreases with the repayment of debt and payments to creditors, while equipment increases through asset replacement. Recognizing expenses and liabilities ensures financial statements accurately reflect the hospital’s year-end position.
ARCH’s Financial Transactions and Their Effect on the Financials
Similarly, ARCH’s opening balances and activities contribute to understanding its financial health. The initial balances depict its assets—cash, accounts receivable, pledges receivable, inventory, property, and net assets—and liabilities like accounts payable and notes payable. Recording these appropriately sets the baseline from which its year’s transactions are measured.
Key transactions during the year include:
- Receipt of a $300,000 pledge payment increases cash and reduces pledges receivable, demonstrating cash inflow from commitments made but not yet fulfilled.
- Ordering new assets like cubicle partitions introduces future depreciation costs; recording this involves capitalizing the asset and setting up depreciation schedules, reflecting asset consumption over expected useful life.
- Grant disbursements of $50,000 reduce cash and increase expenses, with the grant activity affecting net assets and expenses in the income statement.
- Deposits and payments for assets like partitions are accounted for in cash and property records, illustrating capital expenditure management.
- Collection of donations increases cash and unrestricted net assets, demonstrating private support for the organization.
- Purchases of inventory for resale are recorded as assets, and when sold, the cost of goods sold reduces inventory, while sales increase revenue with corresponding receivables or cash.
- Borrowing and repayment activities influence liabilities (notes payable) and cash, affecting the liquidity and leverage of the organization.
- Payroll expenses, including accrued wages, impact wages payable and expenses, with payments reducing cash and liabilities.
- Year-end depreciation reduces the book value of property, plant, and equipment, and increases accumulated depreciation, aligning book value with economic depreciation.
Recording these transactions with journal entries maintains the integrity of the accounting equation and ensures accurate reflection of financial position and performance. For example, revenue from pledges increases assets, while expenses such as grants, wages, and depreciation alter net assets and expenses, influencing overall financial health.
Conclusion
Accurate recording of financial transactions is essential for transparent reporting and fiscal management in nonprofit organizations. Through systematic entries and careful analysis of activities, organizations like HELP and ARCH can maintain comprehensive financial records that support decision-making, compliance, and stakeholder confidence. Understanding how each transaction influences assets, liabilities, and net assets enables better management of resources and strategic planning to fulfill organizational missions.
References
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