Which of the following statements best explains the accounting cycle?

• A. It is the process of recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions to prepare financial statements.
• B. It is the process of determining the market value of a company's assets.
• C. It is the equation that states Assets = Liabilities + Equity.
• D. It is the method of calculating depreciation for fixed assets.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of the accounting cycle. The accounting cycle refers to the systematic process of recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions to prepare financial statements. It ensures that all financial activities are accurately captured and reported.
2. Step 2: Analyze the options provided in the question. The first option describes the accounting cycle as the process of recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions to prepare financial statements. This aligns with the definition of the accounting cycle.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the other options. The second option refers to determining the market value of a company's assets, which is unrelated to the accounting cycle. The third option describes the accounting equation (Assets = Liabilities + Equity), which is a fundamental principle but not the accounting cycle. The fourth option discusses depreciation methods, which are specific accounting techniques but not the cycle itself.
4. Step 4: Compare the options to the definition of the accounting cycle. The first option matches the definition, while the other options describe different accounting concepts or methods.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct explanation of the accounting cycle is the first option: 'It is the process of recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions to prepare financial statements.'