Types of accounting

[dreamwarrior]

What exactly are the continental method of accounting and the Anglo-American method of accounting?

Is there any difference between the two?

[Ader]

I haven't ever heard those particular terms before.

The main differences in accounting in different countries normally stem from different accounting standards - at least for limited and public companies. But I suspect that isn't what is in point here.

The terms may refer to how a balance sheet is presented.

In the UK we normally have a balance sheet which brings together all the assets and liabilities on one side - Fixed assets, then current assets then deduct current liabilities and finally deduct long term liabilities to get to a net assets figure. The other side of the balance sheet is then made up of capital including original owner introduced capital and profits.

Another format for a balance sheet is to have one side with all the assets and on the other side of the balance sheet all the liabilities. Capital and profits will be included on the liabilities side of the balance sheet. This used to be used in the US and used to be quite common in europe, but is becoming less used particularly by larger businesses.

The UK format makes it easy to see the business net worth - at least in terms of its owned assets.

[David Griffiths]

I'm guessing that most of the posters on here won't know the difference. If the other accountants are like me (and prepared to admit it!) they have enough on their plates with the UK system, and aren't at all concerned with other systems,

I'd suggest that you find an accounting student to ask. They probably cover things like this in their course work. ;)

[elainec100@cheapaccounting]

What exactly are the continental method of accounting and the Anglo-American method of accounting?

Is there any difference between the two?

Sounds like a home work question to me :rolleyes:

Good luck with getting an answer in this business forum :D