The scope of Accounting is wide and extends in business, trade, government, financial institutions, individuals and families and every other arena. The accounting principle is used in every step. Many think the accounting scope is only limited to financial transactions of a business concern but in fact, it is not true. Accounting is essential for all types of business organizations, even for individuals and families.
Financial transactions occur all along in business organizations with a government office, non-trading concerns, and professionals.
The functions of Accounting are to keep accounts of those financial transactions. Even accounts are to be kept in case of individuals and families. All financial activities of individuals, business concerns, non-trading concerns, government, semi-government organizations, doctors, advocates, accountants, and other professionals come under the scope of accounting.
In fact, where financial transactions occur there is the importance of accounting. But the necessity of Accounting is felt sharply in keeping accounts of business concerns.
Businessmen, executives, accountants, hospitals, administrators, heads of educational institutions and politicians, etc. including the people and organizations of various stages can discharge their responsibilities if they have a clear concept about accounting information systems.
R. J. Bull has presented the following diagram of the scope of Accounting.
Therefore,
From the above diagram, it is not difficult to realize that accounting data are processed collecting and preparing data adapting methods of various processes.
In a later stage, the report is prepared to evaluate accounting data. This report is prepared for external and internal uses. Roughly the areas where accounts are kept are described below in short.
The scope of Accounting in personal life
The financial transactions which occur in the individual life of a person are recorded properly in the books of accounts with a view to ascertaining receipts-payments and assets-liabilities.
The scope of Accounting in business organizations
The account is rightly called ‘Language of Business’.
The prime objective of a business is to earn a profit. Financial transactions of a business concern are recorded in the books of accounts to ascertain operating results and financial position.
Besides accounts of financial transactions’ of a business concern are kept properly to fulfill other objects also.
The scope of Accounting in non-trading concerns
Keeping accounts for non-trading concerns like, school,-college, hospital, madrasa, mosque, temple, church, club, association, etc. is essential because financial transactions occur in these institutions also.
The scope of Accounting in Government Offices
The system of accounts is prevalent in govt. offices, courts and state-owned organizations for determining income-expenditure and proper running of the administration.
In preparing national planning and budget, accounting information is needed and reasons for national progress or regress can be known through interpretation and evaluation of accounting data.
The scope of Accounting in professionals
Professionals like doctors, engineers, advocates, actors, actresses earn by their professions.
They also maintain their accounts of income and expenditure. It is mandatory for them to maintain accurate accounts of income and expenditure as they are to pay income tax.
From the above discussion it is very much clear that the fields of Accounting are very wide, that is, it spreads in all walks of social life.
Trade and commerce are rapidly changing and developing with changes of everything in this dynamic world. The application of accounting has achieved a new shape with the development of technology.
The advancement of accounting is continuing with the multifarious development of science and technology, factory and industry and trade and commerce.