ICAN Financial Accounting
Past Questions

30+ verified Financial Accounting past questions for ICAN. Step-by-step worked answers in 5 Nigerian languages.

Financial Accounting topics (3)

Sample Financial Accounting past questions

1. Gross profit = Sales − ?

  • A. Tax
  • B. Cost of goods sold
  • C. Expenses
  • D. Capital

Answer: B

2. Trial balance ensures:

  • A. Profit
  • B. Equal debits and credits
  • C. Capital
  • D. Cash flow

Answer: B

3. Closing stock appears in:

  • A. Liability
  • B. Trading account and balance sheet
  • C. Cash book
  • D. Bank statement

Answer: B

4. Depreciation is the:

  • A. Increase in value
  • B. Loss in value over time
  • C. Profit
  • D. Bad debt

Answer: B

5. Drawings reduce:

  • A. Sales
  • B. Capital
  • C. Liabilities
  • D. Stock

Answer: B

6. The accounting equation is Assets =

  • A. Capital − Liabilities
  • B. Capital + Liabilities
  • C. Liabilities − Capital
  • D. Revenue + Expenses

Answer: B

7. A debit entry increases which account?

  • A. Liability
  • B. Capital
  • C. Asset
  • D. Income

Answer: C

8. The double-entry principle means every debit has a:

  • A. Tax
  • B. Credit
  • C. Profit
  • D. Loss

Answer: B

9. A trial balance checks the ___ of the ledger.

  • A. Profit
  • B. Arithmetical accuracy
  • C. Tax
  • D. Cash

Answer: B

10. Drawings reduce the owner's:

  • A. Revenue
  • B. Capital
  • C. Assets only
  • D. Tax

Answer: B

11. A credit balance on a cash account is:

  • A. Normal
  • B. Unusual (overdraft)
  • C. Impossible
  • D. Profit

Answer: B

12. Prepaid rent is a/an:

  • A. Liability
  • B. Asset
  • C. Expense
  • D. Income

Answer: B

13. The matching concept matches revenue with:

  • A. Tax
  • B. Related expenses
  • C. Assets
  • D. Capital

Answer: B

14. Accounting equation:

  • A. Assets = Liabilities − Equity
  • B. Assets = Liabilities + Equity
  • C. Equity = Assets + Liabilities
  • D. Liabilities = Assets + Equity

Answer: B

AI Explanation

A = L + E. Fundamental equation; preserved by every double-entry.

15. Which is a current asset?

  • A. land
  • B. buildings
  • C. trade receivables
  • D. long-term loan

Answer: C

AI Explanation

Current assets are realised within 12 months. Receivables qualify.

16. Depreciation is:

  • A. a cash outflow
  • B. the systematic allocation of an asset's cost over its useful life
  • C. market value gain
  • D. revenue

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Depreciation is a non-cash expense that spreads cost over useful life.

17. Closing inventory is valued at:

  • A. cost only
  • B. NRV only
  • C. lower of cost and NRV (IAS 2)
  • D. higher of cost and NRV

Answer: C

AI Explanation

IAS 2 requires lower of cost and NRV — applies prudence.

18. Trial balance verifies:

  • A. profit
  • B. arithmetic accuracy of double-entry (debits = credits)
  • C. bank balance
  • D. tax payable

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Trial balance ensures total debits = total credits. Not a complete error check.

19. Bank reconciliation explains:

  • A. sales vs purchases
  • B. differences between cash book and bank statement
  • C. income vs expense
  • D. budgeted vs actual

Answer: B

AI Explanation

BR reconciles cash-book balance to bank statement, finding timing items and errors.

20. Accruals concept requires:

  • A. cash recognition only
  • B. expenses/income recognised when incurred/earned, regardless of cash flow
  • C. no accruals
  • D. tax basis

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Accrual accounting matches revenue with related expenses in the period earned/incurred.

21. Prepayments are:

  • A. cash received in advance
  • B. cash paid for future-period benefit
  • C. bad debts
  • D. share capital

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Prepayment = cash paid in advance for goods/services to be consumed later (current asset).

22. Bad debts written off go to:

  • A. statement of changes in equity
  • B. profit or loss as expense
  • C. balance sheet only
  • D. investing activities

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Bad debts and movements in allowances are expensed to P&L.

23. Equity (in a company) consists of:

  • A. only share capital
  • B. share capital + reserves (incl. retained earnings)
  • C. long-term loan
  • D. trade payables

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Equity = paid-in capital + reserves + accumulated retained earnings (and other comprehensive income).

24. Straight-line depreciation of asset costing ₦600,000 with residual ₦60,000 over 5 years:

  • A. ₦108,000
  • B. ₦120,000
  • C. ₦100,000
  • D. ₦60,000

Answer: A

AI Explanation

(600,000 − 60,000) / 5 = 108,000 per year.

25. Going concern assumes:

  • A. imminent liquidation
  • B. the entity will continue operations for the foreseeable future
  • C. all assets will be sold
  • D. revenue is uncertain

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Going concern is a fundamental IFRS assumption — guides asset/liability valuation.

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