Wednesday, August 12, 2026

100 Questions Answers on financial accounting and Cost accounting Answers



ANSWERS 


50 Q&A on Financial Reporting - US GAAP | US CMA PART 1 

_By Prof. Mahaley | Gmsisuccess Mumbai_


This covers the most tested US GAAP topics in CMA Part 1 

#### *A. EQUITY & DIVIDENDS*

*1. Q: What is Treasury Stock?*  

A: Shares a company buys back from market. Shown as *Contra Equity* and reduces Total Stockholders Equity. No gain/loss on purchase.


*2. Q: Journal entry for Purchase of Treasury Stock $10,000?*  

A: Dr. Treasury Stock $10,000  |  Cr. Cash $10,000


*3. Q: Journal entry for Reissue Treasury Stock at $12,000. Cost was $10,000?*  

A: Dr. Cash $12,000  |  Cr. Treasury Stock $10,000  |  Cr. APIC - Treasury Stock $2,000


*4. Q: Difference between Small vs Large Stock Dividend?*  

A: *Small <25%*: Record at FMV. Dr. Retained Earnings FMV | Cr. Common Stock Par | Cr. APIC  

   *Large >25%*: Record at Par Value. Dr. Retained Earnings Par | Cr. Common Stock Par


*5. Q: Journal for 20% Small Stock Dividend. 100,000 shares, $1 Par, $10 FMV?*  

A: 20,000 shares × $10 = $200,000  

Dr. Retained Earnings $200,000 | Cr. Common Stock $20,000 | Cr. APIC $180,000


*6. Q: Journal for 30% Large Stock Dividend. 100,000 shares, $1 Par?*  

A: 30,000 shares × $1 = $30,000  

Dr. Retained Earnings $30,000 | Cr. Common Stock $30,000


*7. Q: Why do companies declare Interim Dividend?*  

A: To distribute profits mid-year to shareholders. Not a legal obligation. Only Final Dividend declared at AGM is a legal obligation once approved.


*8. Q: Which is a legal obligation: Interim Dividend, Annual Dividend, or Finance Cost?*  

A: *Finance Cost* on debt is a legal obligation. Dividends become legal only after Board + Shareholder approval.


#### *B. INVESTMENTS & OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME*

*9. Q: 4 Types of Investments under US GAAP?*  

A: 1. *Trading Securities* 2. *AFS - Available for Sale* 3. *HTM - Held to Maturity* 4. *Equity Method/Consolidation*


*10. Q: How are Trading Investments reported?*  

A: At *Fair Value*. Unrealized Gain/Loss goes to *Net Income*.


*11. Q: How are AFS Investments reported?*  

A: At *Fair Value*. Unrealized Gain/Loss goes to *OCI - Other Comprehensive Income*. Not in Net Income.


*12. Q: How are HTM Investments reported?*  

A: At *Amortized Cost*. No fair value adjustment. Use effective interest method.


*13. Q: Sale of AFS Investment for $15,000. Cost $12,000, Unrealized Gain $3,000 in OCI?*  

A: Dr. Cash $15,000 | Cr. AFS Investment $12,000 | Cr. Realized Gain $3,000  

Also: Dr. OCI $3,000 | Cr. Realized Gain $3,000  - To reclassify from OCI to NI


*14. Q: 15% Equity Stake Investment for Long Term?*  

A: *Cost Method*. Record at Cost. Dividend = Income. No equity pickup.


*15. Q: 20% to 50% Equity Stake Investment?*  

A: *Equity Method*. Investor recognizes share of investee's Net Income.


*16. Q: >50% Equity Stake Investment?*  

A: *Consolidation*. Parent + Subsidiary financials combined.


*17. Q: Where is Other Comprehensive Income reported?*  

A: In *SOCIE - Statement of Comprehensive Income*. Below Net Income.


#### *C. CASH & CASH FLOWS*

*18. Q: Is Trading Investment held for 3 months part of Cash & Cash Equivalent?*  

A: *No*. Only investments with maturity ≤ 3 months from purchase date qualify. Trading intent doesn’t matter.


*19. Q: Direct Method of CFO Illustration?*  

A: Cash from Customers - Cash to Suppliers - Cash for Wages - Cash for Interest - Cash for Tax = *CFO*


*20. Q: Indirect Method of CFO?*  

A: Net Income + Non-cash expenses -/+ Changes in WC + Losses/Gains = *CFO*. Starts from Net Income.


*21. Q: Effect of Sale of AFS Investment on Cash Flow?*  

A: *CFI- Cash Flow from Investing*. Full proceeds are inflow.


*22. Q: Effect of Purchase of Treasury Stock on Cash Flow?*  

A: *CFF - Cash Flow from Financing*. Cash Outflow.


#### *D. FIXED ASSETS, DEPRECIATION & IMPAIRMENT*

*23. Q: Formula for Double Declining Balance Method?*  

A: *DDB = 2 × Straight Line Rate × Book Value*. Book Value = Cost - Acc Dep.


*24. Q: Formula for Sum-of-the-Years-Digits Method?*  

A: *SYD = (Remaining Life / SYD) × Depreciable Base*. SYD = n(n+1)/2


*25. Q: What are Contra Assets?*  

A: Accounts that reduce asset value. Ex: *Accumulated Depreciation, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts*.


*26. Q: Difference between Tangible vs Intangible Fixed Assets?*  

A: *Tangible*: Plant, Machinery - Depreciated  

   *Intangible*: Patent, Goodwill - Amortized. Goodwill not amortized,but tested for impairment.


*27. Q: One Step(1st step)Impairment Test for Long-Lived Assets?*  

A: Compare *Carrying Value vs Undiscounted Future Cash Flows*. If CV > Cash Flows, impairment exists.


*28. Q: Two Step Impairment Test for Goodwill?*  

A: *Step 1*: CV of Reporting Unit vs Fair Value. If CV > FV, proceed.  

    *Step 2*: Impairment Loss = CV of Goodwill - Implied FV of Goodwill


*29. Q: Journal for Impairment Loss $50,000?*  

A: Dr. Impairment Loss $50,000 | Cr. Accumulated Depreciation / Asset $50,000


*30. Q: What are Wasting Assets?*  

A: Natural Resources like Oil, Mines. Depleted using *Depletion Method = (Cost / Total Units) × Units Extracted*


#### *E. INCOME STATEMENT & RATIOS*

*31. Q: Format: Sales - COGS = ?*  

A: *Gross Profit*


*32. Q: Format: Gross Profit - Operating Exp = ?*  

A: *Operating Income*


*33. Q: Where is "Net Income from Continuing Operations" shown?*  

A: Above "Discontinued Operations" and "Extraordinary Items" in Multi-step IS.


*34. Q: What is Trading on Equity?*  

A: Using Debt to earn higher ROE than cost of debt. Increases shareholder returns.


*35. Q: What is Debt Trap?*  

A: When cost of debt > ROA. Additional borrowing reduces EPS and leads to losses.


*36. Q: 3 Categories of Financial Ratios?*  

A: *Liquidity*: Current Ratio  |  *Solvency*: Debt to Equity  |  *Profitability*: ROE, ROA  |  *Leverage*: Financial Leverage


#### *F. LEASES & REPORTING*

*37. Q: 5 Criteria to test Finance Lease under US GAAP?*  

A: 1. Transfer of Ownership 2. Purchase Option 3. Lease Term > 75% of Life  

   4. PV of Payments > 90% of FV 5. Asset is specialized


*38. Q: Difference Operating Lease vs Finance Lease?*  

A: *Operating*: Rent Expense. Off BS  

   *Finance*: Asset + Liability. Depreciation + Interest.


*39. Q: What is Sale and Leaseback?*  

A: Company sells asset and leases it back. If Finance Lease, gain is deferred.


*40. Q: Contents of Annual Report?*  

A: 1. Letter to Shareholders 2. MD&A 3. Financial Statements 4. Notes 5. Auditor Report 6. SOCIE


*41. Q: What is SOCIE?*  

A: *Statement of Changes in Equity*. Shows changes in Common Stock, RE, APIC, OCI.


*42. Q: Disclosures below Income Statement?*  

A: EPS, Discontinued Ops, OCI, Accounting Policies.


*43. Q: Disclosures below Balance Sheet?*  

A: Notes to Accounts, Contingent Liabilities, Related Party Transactions.


#### *G. STAKEHOLDERS & GOVERNANCE*

*44. Q: 3 Types of External Stakeholders & Interest?*  

A: *Investors*: ROE  |  *Creditors*: Solvency  |  *Government*: Tax


*45. Q: 2 Types of Internal Stakeholders & Interest?*  

A: *Management*: Bonus  |  *Employees*: Job Security, Wages


*46. Q: Difference Executive Director vs Non-Executive Director?*  

A: *Executive*: Involved in daily ops. Ex: CFO  

   *Non-Executive*: Independent. Oversight, Audit Committee.


#### *H. MISCELLANEOUS CONCEPTS*

*47. Q: Long-Lived Assets vs Current Assets?*  

A: *Long-Lived*: Used >1 year. PPE, Intangibles  

   *Current*: Converted to cash <1 year. Inventory, AR


*48. Q: How is Amortization for HTM Bond Premium done?*  

A: *Effective Interest Method*. Reduce Interest Income and Carrying Value.


*49. Q: What is the effect of Treasury Stock on EPS?*  

A: Reduces outstanding shares, thus *Increases EPS*.


*50.If 20,000 equity shares face value 1$ each issued for 3$,pass journal entries*

Answers.....50 Q&A on Cost Accounting - US CMA PART 1


#### *A. COST CONCEPTS & CLASSIFICATIONS*

*1. Q: Define Cost Object, Cost Centre, Cost Unit?*  

A: *Cost Object*: Anything we want to measure cost for. Ex: Product, Dept  

   *Cost Centre*: Responsibility area. Ex: Machining Dept  

   *Cost Unit*: Unit of measurement. Ex: Per Unit, Per Hour


*2. Q: Difference between Product Cost and Period Cost?*  

A: *Product/Inventoriable Cost*: Attach to product. Ex: DM, DL, Mfg OH. Expensed as COGS  

   *Period Cost*: Expensed in period incurred. Ex: Selling, Admin Expenses


*3. Q: What are Prime Cost and Conversion Cost?*  

A: *Prime Cost* = DM + DL  

   *Conversion Cost* = DL + Manufacturing Overhead


*4. Q: Examples of Fixed, Variable, Semi-Variable, Step-Fixed Cost?*  

A: *Fixed*: Factory Rent $10,000/month  

   *Variable*: Raw Material $5/unit  

   *Semi-Variable*: Electricity $2000 + $2/unit  

   *Step-Fixed*: Supervisor Salary. Same till 10,000 units, jumps after


*5. Q: Engineered Cost vs Discretionary Cost?*  

A: *Engineered*: Direct relation to output. Ex: DM, DL  

   *Discretionary*: Management decision. Ex: R&D, Advertising


*6. Q: What is Relevant Range?*  

A: Range of activity where Total Fixed Cost and Variable Cost per unit remain constant.


*7. Q: Factors of Production & their Costs?*  

A: *Land*=Rent, *Labor*=Wages, *Capital*=Interest, *Entrepreneur*=Profit


*8. Q: Short Run vs Long Run?*  

A: *Short Run*: Some factors fixed. Ex: Factory size  

   *Long Run*: All factors variable


*9. Q: Historical Cost vs Sunk Cost vs Opportunity Cost?*  

A: *Historical*: Past cost incurred  

   *Sunk*: Past cost, irrelevant for decision  

   *Opportunity*: Benefit lost by choosing one option. Ex: Use own building


*10. Q: Explicit vs Implicit Cost? Economic Cost?*  

A: *Explicit*: Paid in cash. Ex: Wages  

    *Implicit*: Not paid. Ex: Owner salary  

    *Economic Cost* = Explicit + Implicit


#### *B. COSTING METHODS & SYSTEMS*

*11. Q: 2 Main Methods of Costing?*  

A: *Job Order Costing*: Unique products. Ex: Ship Building  

    *Process Costing*: Mass production. Ex: Cement


*12. Q: Key Difference Job vs Process Costing?*  

A: *Job*: Cost tracked by Job. WIP by Job  

    *Process*: Cost tracked by Department. WIP by Dept


*13. Q: What is Activity Based Costing?*  

A: Allocate OH based on *Cost Drivers* and *Cost Pools*, not just direct labor hours. Reduces Cross Cost Subsidization.


*14. Q: Define Cost Pool, Cost Driver, Cost Driver Rate?*  

A: *Cost Pool*: Group of OH. Ex: Setup Costs  

    *Cost Driver*: Cause of cost. Ex: No. of Setups  

    *Rate* = Total Pool Cost / Total Driver Units


*15. Q: What is Target Costing?*  

A: Target Price - Desired Profit = *Target Cost*. Work backwards.


*16. Q: Life Cycle Costing vs Kaizen Costing vs Backflush Costing?*  

A: *Life Cycle*: Cost from R&D to Disposal  

    *Kaizen*: Continuous cost reduction during production  

    *Backflush*: Postpone journal entries till completion. Used in JIT


*17. Q: Absorption vs Variable Costing?*  

A: *Absorption*: Product cost = DM+DL+Var Mfg OH+Fixed Mfg OH  

    *Variable*: Product cost = DM+DL+Var Mfg OH. Fixed Mfg OH = Period Cost


*18. Q: Throughput Costing & Theory of Constraints?*  

A: *Throughput* = Sales - DM. Only DM is product cost.  

    *TOC*: Focus on *Bottleneck Resource* to increase throughput.


#### *C. OVERHEADS & ALLOCATION*

*19. Q: Manufacturing OH vs Non-Manufacturing OH?*  

A: *Mfg OH*: Indirect for production. Ex: Factory Supervisor  

    *Non-Mfg OH*: Selling + Admin


*20. Q: Cost Tracing vs Cost Allocation?*  

A: *Tracing*: Direct cost to cost object. Ex: DM to Product  

    *Allocation*: Indirect cost to cost object using base. Ex: Rent


*21. Q: What is Allocation Base?*  

A: Measure used to allocate OH. Ex: DL Hours, Machine Hours


*22. Q: Overapplied vs Underapplied Overhead?*  

A: *Overapplied*: Applied > Actual. Credit balance  

    *Underapplied*: Applied < Actual. Debit balance


*23. Q: 3 Ways to Prorate Underapplied OH $12,000?*  

A: 1. *Prorate* to WIP, FG, COGS 2. *Write off to COGS* 3. *Carry forward*


*24. Q: Journal to Close $5,000 Overapplied OH to COGS?*  

A: Dr. Manufacturing Overhead $5,000 | Cr. COGS $5,000


*25. Q: What is Cross Cost Subsidization?*  

A: When one product is overcosted and another undercosted due to poor OH allocation.


#### *D. SPOILAGE, WASTE & INVENTORY*

*26. Q: Normal Spoilage vs Abnormal Spoilage?*  

A: *Normal*: Expected. Cost added to good units  

    *Abnormal*: Unexpected. Expensed as Loss in period


*27. Q: Journal for Abnormal Spoilage $2,000?*  

A: Dr. Loss from Abnormal Spoilage $2,000 | Cr. WIP $2,000


*28. Q: FIFO vs LIFO effect on Inventory Valuation?*  

A: *Inflation*: FIFO → Higher Ending Inventory, Higher NI  

    *LIFO*: Lower Ending Inventory, Lower NI, Lower Tax


*29. Q: Cost of Goods Available for Sale vs Cost of Goods Sold?*  

A: *CGAS* = Beg FG + Cost of Goods Manufactured  

    *COGS* = CGAS - Ending FG


#### *E. CVP & DECISION MAKING*

*30. Q: High-Low Method to find Semi-Variable Cost?*  

A: *Var Rate* = (Cost High - Cost Low)/(Units High - Units Low)  

    *Fixed* = Total Cost - Var Rate × Units


*31. Q: What is Marginal Cost?*  

A: Additional cost to produce one more unit = Variable Cost per unit


*32. Q: Excess Capacity vs Spare Capacity vs Unused Capacity?*  

A: *Excess*: Available but not needed  

    *Spare*: Reserved for emergency  

    *Unused*: Budgeted but not used


*33. Q: Overcosting vs Undercosting?*  

A: *Overcosted*: Product charged too much OH  

    *Undercosted*: Product charged too little OH


#### *F. MATERIALS, LABOR & DOCUMENTS*

*34. Q: Skilled vs Unskilled Labor Cost?*  

A: *Skilled*: Direct Labor if traceable. Ex: Welder  

    *Unskilled*: Often Indirect Labor. Part of Mfg OH


*35. Q: Documents in Raw Material Procurement & Risk Owner?*  

A: *Docs*: Purchase Requisition → PO → Receiving Report → Vendor Invoice  

    *Risk Owner*: *Purchasing Dept* till goods received, then *Store Dept*


*36. Q: Journal for Inventory Shipment FOB Shipping Point?*  

A: Buyer: Dr. Inventory | Cr. Cash/AP when goods shipped  

    Seller: Dr. COGS | Cr. FG when goods shipped


*37. Q: Work Cost Sheet Components?*  

A: Beg WIP + DM + DL + Applied OH = Total Mfg Cost  

    - Ending WIP = *COGM*


#### *G. VARIANCES & OTHER TOPICS*

*38. Q: Actual Costing vs Normal Costing vs Standard Costing?*  

A: *Actual*: Actual DM, DL, Actual OH Rate  

    *Normal*: Actual DM, DL, Budgeted OH Rate  

    *Standard*: Budgeted DM, DL, Budgeted OH Rate. Track Variances


*39. Q: Variable Mfg OH vs Fixed Mfg OH?*  

A: *Variable*: Changes with production. Ex: Indirect Material  

    *Fixed*: Does not change. Ex: Factory Depreciation


*40. Q: Types of Industries & Products?*  

A: *Extractive*: Mining  |  *Manufacturing*: Auto  |  *Service*: Hospital


#### *H. DEPARTMENT & CONTROL*

*41. Q: 4 Main Departments in Manufacturing & Function?*  

A: *Production*: Make product  

    *Purchasing*: Buy RM  

    *QC*: Quality Check  

    *Maintenance*: Support Dept/Auxiliary


*42. Q: Product Cost Centre vs Auxiliary Service Cost Centre with Example?*  

A: *Product*: Machining Dept. Directly makes product  

    *Auxiliary*: Maintenance Dept. Supports Production Dept


#### *I. ADVANCED CONCEPTS*

*43. Q: What is Mixed Cost?*  

A: Cost with both Fixed and Variable component. Ex: Utility Bill


*44. Q: Define Long-Lived Assets?*  

A: Assets used >1 year. Subject to Depreciation/Amortization/Depletion


*45. Q: What is Bottleneck Resource?*  

A: Resource that limits throughput. TOC says maximize it.


*46. Q: Purpose of Cost of Quality Report?*  

A: To track Prevention, Appraisal, Internal Failure, External Failure costs.


*47. Q: What is Cost-Benefit Approach in Cost Management?*  

A: Implement control only if Benefit > Cost of control.


*48. Q: Key Performance Indicator for Cost Centre?*  

A: Budgeted vs Actual Cost. Efficiency Variance.


*49. Q: What is Responsibility Accounting?*  

A: Evaluate managers based on costs they can control.


*50. Q: Most important formula for CMA Part 1 Cost Section?*  

A: *COGM = Beg WIP + DM Used + DL + Applied OH - End WIP*  

    *COGS = Beg FG + COGM - End FG*



*Best Wishes 🍀*  

*Prof. Mahaley* | Head, Gmsisuccess Mumbai | 9773464206

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