Talk:Accounting methods

This page still needs a once-over by someone with more knowledge of accounting than I have. ô¿ô

The author has the right concept, but writing style leaves a lot to be desired. ☮ Eclecticology 17:20, 2003 Oct 20 (UTC)

Yo mama!

"It's a genius!" she exclaimed as its slobber ran down her blouse.

To all who have contributed: This article is really shapping up. Way to go Wickipedians! ô¿ô Mar. 08, 09:00 (UTC)

Took a shot at clean up

It may still need more, but give me some feedback.--Pmeisel 22:07, 13 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Technically speaking, I imagine that this, from the previous revision...:

Cash-basis accounting does not record credit transactions, thus its Balance Sheet does not contain payable, receivable, and prepaid expenses [sic] accounts. Because its lack of credit based transactions, it is easy to manage. Additionally, cash-basis accounting is not viable for cost accounting in manufacturing operations because expense is not associated with product cost.

...is less accurate, not to mention less smooth, than this, from your revision:

Cash-basis accounting does not record payables, receivables, and prepaid expenses [sic] accounts. This is simpler for individuals and organizations that do not have significant amounts of these transactions.

My only observation would be: We've got to remember that we're writing for a general audience. I believe that 8th Grade level (or at least what was 8th-Grade level circa 1900) is the audience we should aim at.

Perhaps accounts payable, accounts receivable, and prepaid expense accounts cannot accurately be called "credit transactions." But I believe that the general reader, some way or another, needs to be informed that under accrual-basis accounting, these kind of transactions are counted either as assets or as debits BEFORE any actual cash has changed hands. Otherwise, I fear, the contrast between these two forms of accounting will remain obscure to most. - ô¿ô 23:48, Mar 13, 2005 (UTC)

Thanks. I'll try again tonight or tomorrow.... the original author was not so much inaccurate as hard to understand, and I only improved a little. I'll do better next time. I taught my little sister accounting and calculus, and I assure you she is still no brighter than an 8th grader!

Scope

This page could do with either making less American and more international, or, alternatively, its US-centric terminology, GAAP, and so on being flagged VERY early on. Matthew 20:16, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

I've had a go at this, but the article is still heavily biased towards the US, to the point that it is not that useful to people in other jurisdictions. I may attack it again when I get a bit more time. Comments are welcome. AnthonyUK 18:47, 2 November 2007 (UTC)