Assignment 1: Cash Method Versus Accrual Method

Businesses face a choice between two important methods of calculating taxable income for federal income taxes: the cash method and the accrual method.

Based on your readings for the module, respond to the following:

1. What factors determine a company’s choice between the cash method and the accrual method in accounting for income taxes?

2. Give an example of a particular transaction and describe how the two methods would account for that transaction differently.

Write your initial response in two to three paragraphs.

By the due date assigned, submit your response to the appropriate Discussion Area. Use the same Discussion Area to comment on your classmates’ submissions and continue the discussion until through the end of the module. Comment on how your classmates would address differing views.

Discussion Grading Table

Maximum Points

Quality of initial posting, including fulfillment of assignment 16

Quality of responses to classmates 12

Frequency of responses to classmates 4

Reference to supporting readings and other materials 4

Language and grammar 4

Total: 40