Accounting quality and non-GAAP measures

Adjusted metrics can clarify — or remove economically real costs.

Accounting quality and non-GAAP measures

| Concept | Explanation | |---|---| | Accrual | Revenue or expense recognized before the related cash movement. | | Non-cash expense | An accounting cost such as depreciation or stock-based compensation that does not use current-period cash. | | Non-GAAP measure | A management-defined metric that adjusts official accounting results. | | One-time item | A gain or expense described as unusual; repeated 'one-time' items deserve scrutiny. | | Revenue recognition | Rules determining when and how revenue is recorded. | | Estimate risk | Accounting values may depend on assumptions about reserves, useful lives, or collectability. |

Adjusted metrics can clarify recurring operations, but they can also remove economically real costs. Compare adjusted results with reported statements and cash flow.

Module knowledge check

  1. Why can net income differ from operating cash flow?
  2. What does the balance-sheet equation represent?
  3. Why might non-GAAP earnings be higher than reported earnings?
  4. What warning arises when recurring costs are repeatedly called one-time?

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