What is Variance Analysis? Variance analysis is the analysis of the difference between planned and actual numbers. The sum of all variances gives a picture of the overall over-performance or under-performance for a particular reporting period. For each item, companies assess their favorability by comparing actual costs to standard costs in the industry. For example,…
What is a Capital Expenditure (CapEx)? A capital expenditure (“CapEx” for short) is the payment with either cash or credit to purchase long-term physical or fixed assets used in a business’s operations. The expenditures are capitalized (i.e., not expensed directly on a company’s income statement) on the balance sheet and are considered an investment by…
What is Goodwill Impairment? Goodwill is acquired and recorded on the books when an acquirer purchases a target for more than the fair market value of the target’s net assets (assets minus liabilities). Per accounting standards, goodwill is recorded as an intangible asset and evaluated periodically for any possible impairment in value. Private companies in…
What is a Rolling Forecast? A rolling forecast is a type of financial model that predicts the future performance of a business over a continuous period, based on historical data. Unlike static budgets that forecast the future for a fixed time frame, e.g., January to December, a rolling forecast is regularly updated throughout the year…
What is Operating Income? Operating income, also referred to as operating profit or Earnings Before Interest & Taxes (EBIT), is the amount of revenue left after deducting the operational direct and indirect costs from sales revenue. It can also be computed using gross income less depreciation, amortization, and operating expenses not directly attributable to the production…
What is Job Order Costing? In managerial accounting, there are two general types of costing systems to assign costs to products or services that the company provides: “job order costing” and “process costing.” Job order costing is used in situations where the company delivers a unique or custom job for its customers. Every customer is…
What is the Treasury Stock Method? The treasury stock method is a way for companies to calculate how many additional shares may be generated from outstanding in-the-money warrants and options. The new additional shares are then used in calculating the company’s diluted earnings per share (EPS). The treasury stock method implies that the money obtained…
What is the Accounting Cycle? The accounting cycle is the holistic process of recording and processing all financial transactions of a company, from when the transaction occurs, to its representation on the financial statements, to closing the accounts. One of the main duties of a bookkeeper is to keep track of the full accounting cycle…
What is Stockholders Equity? Stockholders Equity (also known as Shareholders Equity) is an account on a company’s balance sheet that consists of share capital plus retained earnings. It also represents the residual value of assets minus liabilities. By rearranging the original accounting equation, Assets = Liabilities + Stockholders Equity, it can also be expressed as Stockholders…
