Which of the following statements about financial accounting is TRUE?

• A. Financial accounting primarily provides information to external users such as investors and creditors.
• B. Financial accounting reports are prepared only when requested by management.
• C. Financial accounting is not governed by any standardized principles or regulations.
• D. Financial accounting focuses on detailed internal reports for management decision-making.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of financial accounting. Financial accounting is designed to provide information about a company's financial performance and position to external users, such as investors, creditors, and regulatory agencies.
2. Step 2: Evaluate the first statement: 'Financial accounting primarily provides information to external users such as investors and creditors.' This aligns with the purpose of financial accounting, as its primary focus is external reporting.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the second statement: 'Financial accounting reports are prepared only when requested by management.' This is incorrect because financial accounting reports, such as income statements and balance sheets, are prepared regularly (e.g., quarterly or annually) and are not dependent on management requests.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the third statement: 'Financial accounting is not governed by any standardized principles or regulations.' This is incorrect because financial accounting is governed by standardized principles, such as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
5. Step 5: Evaluate the fourth statement: 'Financial accounting focuses on detailed internal reports for management decision-making.' This is incorrect because detailed internal reports for management decision-making are the focus of managerial accounting, not financial accounting.