Why is knowledge of accounting terminology and relevant industry necessary?

Answer 1

Improper use of technical jargon can hamstring the financial records and reporting capability of any accounting department. FOR instance... to a lot of lay people Accounts Payable means vendors, or checks written to vendors. The proper technical definition of Accounts Payable is the "unpaid liabilities to vendors for expenses". They are two VERY different things. Even trained personnel mix up Accounts Payable and include long-term liabilites due in the current period in the Accounts Payable listing for a period. While long-term liabilities due in the current period may have the same due date as an account payable, they would be considered a Current Portion of Long Term Debt and listed separately from Accounts Payable on the balance sheet. So.... knowledge of the terminology and jargon is VERY important, even though it may not seem like it to the lay person.