JAMB UTME - Principles of Accounts - 2024

A method of stock valuation is

Answer Details

The Simple Average Price (SAP) method is a stock valuation method where the average cost of all units of stock is calculated and used as the value for inventory. This method takes the total cost of goods available for sale and divides it by the total number of units to determine the average price. The average price is then multiplied by th number of units on hand to calculate the value of the inventory

Purchase Ledger Control Account

The balance of #11,800 represents the amount

Answer Details

A Purchase Ledger Control Account is used to track and summarize the transactions related to purchases made from creditors. The balance on the credit side of the account represents the total purchases made from the creditors, while the balance on the debit side represents the payments made to the creditors.

Prime cost consist of direct material and ___ cost

Answer Details

Prime cost refers to the direct costs associated with producing a good. These are costs that can be easily traced and directly linked to each unit of production. It consists of direct materials, direct labour and direct cost.

Purchase Ledger Control Account

The amount #30,000 represents

Answer Details

The amount of #30,000 represents credit purchases. In accounting, the Purchase Ledger Control Account is used to track what a business owes to its suppliers. This account is part of the liabilities section of the balance sheet since it reflects amounts that need to be paid for goods or services received on credit.

Here's a breakdown of why the amount represents credit purchases:

• The terminology “Purchase Journal” is used in accounting to record transactions related to credit purchases of goods.
• When items are purchased on credit, they are logged as debits to the Purchase Ledger Control Account. Hence, this value indicates the total goods acquired on credit from the suppliers during a specific period.
• This allows a business to track how much is owed to suppliers, as opposed to goods purchased and paid for immediately with cash, which would be logged differently.

This is significant because businesses often purchase items on credit to improve cash flow and benefit from any creditor terms like discounts for early payment. Hence, the #30,000 recorded in the Purchase Ledger Control Account is indicative of the total amount of purchases made on credit during the period.

The following balances were extracted from the books of Adama Ltd on 31st August 2007

Percentage of net profit to sale is 

Answer Details

To find the percentage of net profit to sales, we need to calculate the net profit first.

Here's how you can find the net profit:

Step 1: Calculate Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

• Opening Stock (1-09-2006): 20,000
• Purchases: 140,000
• Closing Stock (31-08-2007): 10,000

COGS = Opening Stock + Purchases - Closing Stock

COGS = 20,000 + 140,000 - 10,000 = 150,000

Step 2: Calculate Gross Profit

Gross Profit = Sales - COGS

Gross Profit = 200,000 - 150,000 = 50,000

Step 3: Calculate Net Profit

Net Profit = Gross Profit - Expenses

In this case, the only expense given is General Expenses: 10,000

Net Profit = 50,000 - 10,000 = 40,000

Step 4: Calculate the Percentage of Net Profit to Sales

Percentage of Net Profit to Sales = (Net Profit / Sales) * 100%

Percentage of Net Profit to Sales = (40,000 / 200,000) * 100% = 20%

Therefore, the percentage of net profit to sales is 20%.

Ifedapo Local Council has the following details for 2008

The council's expenditure was

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Capital expenditure = Hospital beds (8000) + Ambulance (13000) = #21,000
Note that the question is only asking for the value of capital expenditure

The return on debenture holding is

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A debenture is a type of long-term debt instrument issued by a company to borrow money from investors. When you hold a debenture, you are effectively lending money to the company, and in return, you expect a regular return. The return received by debenture holders is in the form of interest.

Here's a simple explanation of why it's interest:

• Interest: Debentures are like loans to the company. Just as banks earn interest on loans they provide, debenture holders earn interest on their investment in the debentures. This interest is predetermined and is usually paid at regular intervals, such as semi-annually or annually.
• Fixed Payment: The interest on debentures is usually a fixed percentage of the principal amount, which means it doesn’t change based on the company's profits or losses.
• Priority Payment: Interest on debentures is paid before any dividends are paid to shareholders, making it a relatively secure form of investment in terms of receiving payments.

In contrast:

• Share bonus and dividend: These are returns on equity shares, not debentures. They depend on the company's profits and decisions made by the board of directors.
• Net profit: This term refers to the total profit of a company after all expenses, taxes, and interest have been deducted. It's not directly associated with debenture holders as a form of return.

Therefore, the return on debenture holding is characterized by interest payments. These payments are made regardless of whether the company makes a profit, as long as it is solvent enough to meet its interest obligations.

The following extracts are made from the books of Agama Enterprises.

Method of depreciation used is Diminishing Balance The scrap value of the asset at the end of year four is

Answer Details

Year 1:

Depreciation = (Book value at the beginning of the year) x (Depreciation rate) = (#120,000) x (40%)
= #48,000
Book value at the end of Year 1 = Cost - Depreciation
= #120,000 - #48,000
= #72,000
Year 2:
Depreciation = (Book value at the beginning of the year) x (Depreciation rate) = (#72,000) x (40%)
= #28,800
Book value at the end of Year 2 = Book value at the end of Year 1 - Depreciation = #72,000 - #28,800
= #43,200
Year 3:
Depreciation = (Book value at the beginning of the year) x (Depreciation rate) = (#43,200) x (40%)
= #17,280
Book value at the end of Year 3 = Book value at the end of Year 2 - Depreciation = #43,200 - #17,280
= #25,920
Year 4:
Depreciation = (Book value at the beginning of the vear) x (Depreciation rate)

Pending the location of an error, the difference in the Trial Balance is posted to a __

Answer Details

When a difference is noticed in the Trial Balance due to errors that have not yet been located, it is temporarily posted to a suspense account.

Here's a simple explanation:

A **Trial Balance** is a bookkeeping worksheet in which the balances of all ledgers are compiled into debit and credit account column totals that are equal. If the totals do not match, it indicates an error. Sometimes, despite efforts to find the error, the exact location or cause is not immediately identified. When this happens, the difference is placed in a suspense account to temporarily hold and find where the error might be.

The suspense account acts as a placeholder. It's important because it allows the books to be balanced and further accounting and financial reporting processes to proceed normally while the error is being investigated and rectified. Once the error is located and corrected, the suspense account is cleared.

The term "set off" in control account is also called

Answer Details

In bookkeeping and accounting, the term "set off" in control accounts is most commonly referred to as a contra entry.

To explain this in simple terms:

• A contra entry occurs when an amount is recorded in both the debit and credit sides of the same account or two related accounts. Essentially, it's an internal transaction.
• The main purpose of a contra entry is to offset two entries against each other. This is often used to reflect that part of a transaction has cleared or been offset by another transaction.

For example, if a business has an account that records both money received and money spent, a contra entry would allow the business to show that a certain amount received has effectively been set off by a corresponding expenditure.

It’s important because it provides a method to track the exact operations within a business’s accounts, ensuring transparency and accuracy in financial statements.

The short term solvency of a company is determined with ___ ratio

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The acid-test ratio assesses a company's ability to meet its short-term obligations (due within a year) using its most liquid assets. It goes beyond the current ratio by excluding inventory from the calculation, as inventory might take longer to convert into cash to pay off debts.

The cost of goods sold is

Answer Details

To calculate the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), we need to use the formula:

COGS = Opening Stock + Purchases - Closing Stock

Let's break it down:

• Opening Stock (beginning of the year): #2,200
• Purchases (during the year): #18,000
• Closing Stock (end of the year): #1,000

By plugging these values into the formula, we get:

COGS = 2,200 + 18,000 - 1,000

After calculating, we find:

COGS = 19,200

So, the Cost of Goods Sold is #19,200.

The following balances was exgtracted from the books of Oluwalambe Ltd, manufacturer, on 31st December 2007

Factory overhead cost is

Answer Details

To calculate the Factory Overhead Cost, we need to consider the expenses that are not directly tied to the production process but are essential for running the factory smoothly. These include indirect costs like lighting, heating, depreciation of machinery, and indirect labor. From the data given, we will identify the elements that contribute to the Factory Overhead Cost:

• Indirect Wages: #28,000
• Depreciation on Plants: #32,000
• Factory Rent: #3,500

Other elements in the data such as stock of raw materials, purchase of raw materials, direct wages, and work in progress are part of the cost of production but do not contribute to the Factory Overhead Cost.

Therefore, the total Factory Overhead Cost is calculated by summing up all the overhead costs:

Factory Overhead Cost = Indirect Wages + Depreciation on Plants + Factory Rent

= #28,000 + #32,000 + #3,500

= #63,500

Thus, the Factory Overhead Cost is #63,500.

An equipment costing # 9,000 has an estimated residual value of #900, and is depreciated at 10% per annum. What is the depreciation charge for the three using diminishing balance method?

Answer Details

The diminishing balance method of depreciation, also known as the reducing balance method, calculates depreciation based on the book value (cost minus accumulated depreciation) at the beginning of each year. In this method, both the asset's residual value and the annual depreciation rate are used to determine the depreciation charge.

Let's break down the solution for the first three years to figure out the depreciation charge:

Year 1:
The initial cost is #9,000.

Depreciation for Year 1 = Cost × Depreciation Rate = 9,000 × 10% = #900

Book Value at the end of Year 1 = Initial Cost - Depreciation = 9,000 - 900 = #8,100

Year 2:
Book value at the beginning of Year 2 is #8,100.

Depreciation for Year 2 = Book Value × Depreciation Rate = 8,100 × 10% = #810

Book Value at the end of Year 2 = Book Value - Depreciation = 8,100 - 810 = #7,290

Year 3:
Book value at the beginning of Year 3 is #7,290.

Depreciation for Year 3 = Book Value × Depreciation Rate = 7,290 × 10% = #729

The depreciation charge for the third year using the diminishing balance method is #729.

The amount paid by the buyer of a business which is sold as going concern is

Answer Details

When a business is sold as a "going concern," it means that the business is being sold with the expectation that it will continue to operate in the same manner as before the sale. The amount paid by the buyer for such a business is commonly referred to as the purchase consideration.

The purchase consideration includes the total value that the buyer agrees to pay to acquire all the assets, liabilities, and operational components of the business. This value can be in the form of cash, shares, debt arrangements, or a combination of these.

Let's clarify why the other terms are not the correct answer in this context:

• Conversion fees: These are charges that may apply when converting one asset or form of ownership to another but are not related to the purchase of a business.
• Consolidation fees: These may involve costs associated with combining two or more companies or departments, but again, they do not refer to the act of purchasing a business as a going concern.
• Premium fees: These might indicate additional payments above the standard price for specific benefits or services but do not encompass the entire cost of purchasing a business.

In summary, the correct term for the amount paid by the buyer of a business sold as a going concern is purchase consideration.

The following accounts have debit balances except

Answer Details

In accounting, a debit balance typically refers to an increase in asset or expense accounts. Here’s a breakdown of each account to determine which one does not usually have a debit balance:

• Share Premium: This is part of the equity on the balance sheet. It occurs when shares are issued at a price higher than their nominal value. Since it is an equity account, it typically has a credit balance, which means it is not a debit balance account.
• Rents and Rates: These are usually categorized under expense accounts, which typically have a debit balance, because expenses increase with debits.
• Return Inwards: Also known as Sales Returns, refers to goods returned by customers. It is considered a contra-revenue account, which typically has a debit balance because it is subtracted from sales (a major revenue account with a credit balance).
• Advertising: This is also an expense account, as expenditures made for advertising purposes are considered costs of doing business. Thus, they usually have a debit balance.

Based on the above explanations, the account that does not have a debit balance is typically the Share Premium account.

In government accounting, money allocated to each head and sub-heads is referred to as  

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In government budgeting, funds are authorized for spending through a voting process. Each government department or agency submits a budget request, which is then debated and approved (or voted on) by the legislature. The approved amounts for each department's programs and activities become the official votes that they can spend from.

The following balances were extracted from the books of Adama Ltd on 31st August 2007

The current ratio is

Answer Details

To calculate the current ratio, we need to understand that it is a measure of a company's ability to pay its short-term obligations with its short-term assets. The formula for the current ratio is:

Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities

Let's identify the current assets from the given balances:

• Debtors: 50,000
• Bank: 10,000
• Stock (31-08-2007): 10,000

Adding these up:

Total Current Assets = 50,000 + 10,000 + 10,000 = 70,000

Next, we identify the current liabilities:

• Creditors: 35,000

Therefore, Total Current Liabilities are: 35,000

Now, let's calculate the current ratio:

Current Ratio = Total Current Assets / Total Current Liabilities

Current Ratio = 70,000 / 35,000 = 2:1

Therefore, the current ratio is 2:1, which means that for every unit of currency in current liabilities, Adama Ltd has 2 units in current assets to pay those liabilities. This is a healthy liquidity position as a current ratio greater than 1 indicates that the company has more current assets than current liabilities.

The basic accounting equation is

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Assets + Liabilities = Owner's Equity. This equation is the foundation of double-entry bookkeeping and ensures that a company's financial statements are balanced. Let's break down the equation:
Assets: These are the resources a company owns, such as cash, inventory, property, and equipment. Liabilities: These are the company's debts or financial obligations that need to be repaid.
Owner's Equity (also called Shareholders' Equity): This represents the owners' claim on the company's assets after all liabilities are settled. It's essentially the difference between the company's assets and liabilities.

Which of the following bodies regulates accounting practices in Nigeria?

Answer Details

In Nigeria, the body that regulates accounting practices is the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN). ANAN is a professional body chartered by Act 76 of 1993 and is responsible for setting standards, guiding, and supervising the practice of accountancy in the country.

Here's why ANAN is important for accounting practices:

• Standard Setting: ANAN is involved in creating accounting standards that practitioners should follow, ensuring that financial reporting is consistent and reliable.
• Professional Guidance: ANAN provides guidelines and resources for accountants to maintain proper ethical standards and professionalism in their work.
• Supervision and Certification: ANAN certifies accountants, which involves ensuring that individuals meet the necessary educational and professional criteria to practice accounting.

By regulating accounting practices, ANAN helps maintain the integrity and accuracy of financial information, which is crucial for businesses, government agencies, and stakeholders.

The following balances was extracted from the books of Oluwalambe Ltd, manufacturer, on 31st December 2007

Cost of goods produced is

Answer Details

Cost of Goods Produced = Prime Cost + Factory Overhead Cost + Opening Work in Progress - Closing Work in Progress 
Prime Cost: #500,000 (from previous question) Factory Overhead Cost: #63,500 (from previous question) 
Cost of Goods Produced = #500,000 + #63,500 + #32,500 - #37,500 
Cost of Goods Produced = #558,500 

Goodwill is taken into account in partnership business when

Answer Details

When a new partner joins the existing partnership, they bring in capital or expertise. The existing goodwill of th business (positive reputation, customer base, etc.) might justify paying the existing partners a premium above the book value of their capital investment. This premium is recorded as goodwill.

The document used in making lodgments into a current account is

Answer Details

The document used to make lodgments into a current account is the paying-in slip.

Here's why:

A paying-in slip is a small form provided by a bank that allows you to deposit money into your account. When you want to add funds to your current account, you fill out this slip with details such as the amount of money you are depositing, your account number, and your name. You then hand both the slip and the money to the bank teller who processes the transaction for you. Alternatively, it can be used in an automated bank machine that accepts deposits.

Other documents or instruments like a cheque book, pass book, and credit card serve different purposes:

• A cheque book is used to make payments to others; you write cheques to transfer money from your account to someone else or another entity.
• A pass book records transactions for savings accounts, not current accounts, and helps keep track of deposits, withdrawals, and balances.
• A credit card allows you to borrow funds up to a certain limit for purchases, which you then repay at a later date. It does not directly deposit funds into your account.

In summary, when depositing money directly into a current account, the paying-in slip is the correct document used for that purpose.

Which of the following is a characteristics of a limited liability company?

Answer Details

A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure that offers the owners (referred to as members) limite liability protection. This means that the personal assets of the owners are separate from the liabilities and debts of the company. The owners' liability is limited to their investment in the company, and their personal assets an generally protected from company obligations.
This separation of the company's liabilities from the owners' personal assets is a key characteristic of an LLC. It provides a layer of protection for the owners in case the company faces financial difficulties or legal issues.

The following balances were extracted from the books of Adama Ltd on 31st August 2007

Total fixed assets is

Answer Details

To determine the Total Fixed Assets, we need to focus on the accounts that represent fixed assets. In a company's balance sheet, fixed assets are long-term tangible property that a firm owns and uses in its operations to generate income. In this context, typical fixed assets include items like land, buildings, furniture, machinery, etc.

From the list provided:

• Land and Building: #70,000
• Furniture: #10,000

Both "Land and Building" and "Furniture" are considered fixed assets. To calculate the Total Fixed Assets, you simply add these amounts together:

#70,000 (Land and Building) + #10,000 (Furniture) = #80,000

Therefore, the Total Fixed Assets for Adama Ltd as of 31st August 2007 is #80,000.

Rent accrued at the end of an accounting period is a

Answer Details

Rent accrued: This refers to the expense incurred for using an asset (property, equipment, etc.) for a period, ever though the rent payment hasn't been made yet.
Current liability: A current liability is a short-term financial obligation that a company expects to settle within one year or the operating cycle (whichever is longer). Rent accrued falls under this category because it's a debt that needs to be paid to the landlord soon.

The amount by which assets exceeds liabilities is

Answer Details

The amount by which assets exceed liabilities is known as capital. This is a crucial concept in finance and accounting. Here's a simple explanation:

Assets are things of value that an individual or a company owns. They can include items like cash, property, equipment, and investments. They represent what the entity owns or is owed.

Liabilities are the obligations or debts that an individual or a company owes to others. They can include loans, mortgages, and other forms of debts or financial responsibilities. They represent what the entity owes to others.

The capital, also known as equity, is the net value that remains after all liabilities have been subtracted from all assets. In a simplified equation, it can be expressed as:

Capital = Assets - Liabilities

Therefore, if a company has more assets than liabilities, the excess amount is positive, indicating a strong capital position. This is an important measure of financial health, showing the remaining value available to the owners or shareholders after all debts have been paid.

Purchase Ledger Control Account

The item sales ledger #1,200 represents

Answer Details

In the context of the Purchase Ledger Control Account, the item labeled as "sales ledger" amounting to #1,200 represents a situation where there is an interaction between the purchase ledger and the sales ledger.

Typically, this means that there has been a sales return or an offset transaction where the company might have paid a supplier for goods or services provided, but due to some reason like a return or an agreement, there is a balance due back to the company. This situation typically arises when there are inter-company transactions where the company is both a customer and a supplier to the same business entity.

In simpler terms, the #1,200 in the "sales ledger" represents an amount due from suppliers. This implies that a balance owed by the supplier is accounted for in the purchase ledger, indicating a receivable situation within the purchase ledger context.

Thus, it reflects an amount that is due back to the entity from their suppliers who are also their customers in some capacity.

Sales for the year is

Answer Details

Sales for the year = 10,000 +60000 - 2000 = #14,000 
Note that: the question is not asking to prepare a sales ledger but rather, the figure of sales only. 

The following are causes of discrepancies between the cash book and the bank statement balances except

Answer Details

A bank deposit typically wouldn't cause a discrepancy; rather, it would lead to an increase in both the cash book and bank statement balances. Therefore, it is not a cause of discrepancies between the two balances.

An amount paid in cash to John is Dr to John and Cr to

Answer Details

The transaction involves paying an amount in cash to John. In accounting terms, when a payment is made to a person or an entity, a debit and credit entry is recorded to keep the accounts balanced. Here's how it works in this scenario:

1. Debit (Dr) to John: Since the payment is being made to John, his account is debited. This is because John's account balance increases from the perspective of the payer's books (as they no longer owe that amount to John). Debiting his account shows a reduction of liability.

2. Credit (Cr) to Cash: The credit entry is made to the Cash account because when cash is paid out, it represents a decrease in the cash balance of the business or individual making the payment. This is why the Cash account is credited.

In summary, when an amount is paid in cash to John:

• The entry would be: Dr John, because John is gaining more value in his account from the perspective of the payer.
• The entry would be: Cr Cash, indicating that the payer's cash reserves have decreased as a result of the payment.

So, in this specific scenario, the correct credit entry is made to the Cash account.

The net profit is

Answer Details

To calculate the net profit, we need to determine the Gross Profit first and then subtract the expenses from it. Follow these steps:

• Opening Stock: #2200
• Add Purchases: #18000
• Less Closing Stock: #1000

COGS = 2200 + 18000 - 1000 = #19,200

• Sales: #27000
• Less COGS: #19200

Gross Profit = 27000 - 19200 = #7,800

• Salaries: #1500
• Rejection in doubtful debts: #500
• Office expenses: #1100
• Other expenses: #1300

Total Expenses = 1500 + 500 + 1100 + 1300 = #4,400

• Net Profit = Gross Profit - Total Expenses
• Net Profit = 7800 - 4400

Net Profit = #3,400

Therefore, the net profit is #3,400.

The coming together of two sole trading businesses to form a partnership is

Answer Details

The coming together of two sole trading businesses to form a partnership is an amalgamation.

To understand why this is an amalgamation, let's delve into the concept:

Amalgamation refers to the merging or blending of two or more entities into one. In the context of business, it specifically means the combination of two or more organizations to form a single new entity that benefits from the pooled resources, combined expertise, and shared goals. In this case, when two sole traders decide to unite their efforts and resources to operate jointly as a partnership, they are undergoing an amalgamation. This process allows them to leverage each other's strengths, share risks, and potentially enjoy greater market influence and operational efficiency.

It's important to note that amalgamation is different from terms like acquisition, which involves one company taking over another, and association, which usually implies a less formal collaboration without forming a new structure or entity.

Ifedapo Local Council has the following details for 2008

The council's expenditure for the year was

Answer Details

Expenditure:
#15,000 (Salaries) + #7,000 (Vehicles fueling)
= #22,000
Note that the question is only asking for expenditure and not capital or recurrent expenditure

Suppliers accounts are found in the

Answer Details

Suppliers accounts are found in the purchase ledger. The purchase ledger is a part of a company's financial accounts where all transactions related to purchases from suppliers (or creditors) are recorded. This includes the amounts owed for goods or services received but not yet paid for. It helps businesses keep track of what they owe to each supplier and ensures that the financial statements accurately reflect these liabilities. Therefore, the purchase ledger is essential for managing accounts payable and maintaining good relationships with suppliers.

When manufactured goods are transferred to the trading account at the market price, the difference is credited to the

Answer Details

When manufactured goods are transferred to the trading account at the market price, the difference between the cost of production and the market price is known as the profit or loss on manufacturing.
To account for this difference, it is credited to the profit and loss account. If the market price is higher than the cost of production, it results in a profit, which is credited to the profit and loss account. Conversely, if the marke price is lower than the cost of production, it results in a loss, which is also credited to the profit and loss
account.

A method that is beneficial for tax purposes in inflationary times is? 

Answer Details

This method assumes the last items purchased are the first ones sold. It can result in a higher COGS during periods of inflation, potentially leading to lower reported profits. LIFO can be beneficial for tax purposes in inflationary times.

Who among the following developed the idea of double entry book-keeping?

Answer Details

The person credited with developing the idea of double entry book-keeping is Francia Luca Pacioli. He was an Italian mathematician and Franciscan friar who lived during the Renaissance period. Pacioli is often referred to as the "Father of Accounting" because he published a comprehensive text on double-entry bookkeeping in 1494. This text was part of his larger work called Summa de arithmetica, geometria, proportioni et proportionalità, which aimed to educate merchants about keeping financial records.

Double entry bookkeeping is a method that involves recording each financial transaction twice: once as a debit in one account and once as a credit in another. This approach helps to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records by maintaining a balance between accounts.

Pacioli's contribution was significant because it provided a systematic way for businesses to track their financial transactions, fostering improved financial management and accountability. His work laid the foundation for modern accounting practices, making it a crucial advancement in the field of commerce and economics.

The following balances were extracted from the books of Onuoha, a trader on 31st December 2005

The gross profit is 

Answer Details

To determine the gross profit, we need to calculate the difference between the sales and the cost of goods sold (COGS). The formula for gross profit is:

Gross Profit = Sales - Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

The Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) is calculated as follows:

COGS = Opening Stock + Purchases - Closing Stock

• Opening Stock: #10,000
• Purchases: #70,000
• Closing Stock: #15,000

Calculating the COGS:

COGS = 10,000 + 70,000 - 15,000

COGS = 80,000 - 15,000

COGS = 65,000

Now, calculate the Gross Profit:

Gross Profit = Sales - COGS

Gross Profit = 120,000 - 65,000

Gross Profit = 55,000

Therefore, the gross profit is #55,000.

A person who prepares, analyses and interprets financial statements is known as a/an

Answer Details

A person who prepares, analyses, and interprets financial statements is known as an accountant. An accountant is a professional who is highly trained in the field of accounting, which involves managing financial records, summarizing financial positions, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.

Here is why the role of an accountant is important:

• Preparation of Financial Statements: Accountants prepare financial statements like balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, providing a comprehensive view of an organization's financial health.
• Analysis: They analyze these statements to understand and interpret the financial performance of the business. This helps in identifying trends, forecasting future financial conditions, and making informed business decisions.
• Interpretation: Accountants use their expertise to interpret financial data, explaining the significance of the figures to stakeholders, including management, investors, and regulatory bodies.

The role of a cashier is primarily to handle cash transactions. A bookkeeper assists in recording day-to-day financial transactions, and an analyst often focuses on analyzing various data sets and trends rather than specifically preparing financial statements. However, it is the accountant who brings together preparation, analysis, and interpretation of comprehensive financial data.