HomeDSST Prep Financial AccountingQuestions 11–20
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DSST Prep Financial Accounting Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

DSST Prep Financial Accounting practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.

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  1. Q11Gross profit is calculated as

    • ASales revenue minus operating expenses
    • BSales revenue minus cost of goods sold
    • COperating income minus interest expense
    • DTotal revenue minus total expenses
    Show answer

    ✓ Correct answer: B. Sales revenue minus cost of goods sold

    Gross profit represents the difference between sales revenue and the direct cost of producing goods sold (cost of goods sold). It appears on the income statement.

  2. Q12The DuPont analysis decomposes return on equity (ROE) into which three components?

    • AProfit margin, asset turnover, and equity multiplier
    • BCurrent ratio, quick ratio, and cash ratio
    • CGross margin, operating margin, and net margin
    • DDebt ratio, equity ratio, and leverage ratio
    Show answer

    ✓ Correct answer: A. Profit margin, asset turnover, and equity multiplier

    The DuPont formula breaks ROE into profit margin (profitability), total asset turnover (efficiency), and equity multiplier (leverage): ROE = Profit Margin x Asset Turnover x Equity Multiplier.

  3. Q13If a company's marginal tax rate is 35% and its average tax rate is 28%, which rate should be used for evaluating a new project?

    • AThe sum of both rates
    • BThe average tax rate of 28%
    • CThe difference of 7%
    • DThe marginal tax rate of 35%
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    ✓ Correct answer: D. The marginal tax rate of 35%

    The marginal tax rate should be used for decision making because it represents the tax rate applied to the next dollar of income, which is relevant for evaluating incremental projects.

  4. Q14Which of the following appears on both the income statement and the statement of cash flows?

    • APurchase of equipment
    • BDividends paid
    • CInterest expense
    • DIssuance of stock
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    ✓ Correct answer: C. Interest expense

    Interest expense appears as an expense on the income statement and is also part of the operating activities section of the statement of cash flows (under the indirect method).

  5. Q15The times interest earned ratio measures a company's ability to

    • APay its current liabilities
    • BMeet its interest obligations
    • CGenerate profit from sales
    • DConvert assets into cash
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    ✓ Correct answer: B. Meet its interest obligations

    The times interest earned ratio (EBIT divided by interest expense) measures how many times a company can cover its interest obligations with operating income, indicating solvency.

  6. Q16Inventory turnover ratio is calculated as

    • ACost of goods sold divided by average inventory
    • BSales divided by average inventory
    • CAverage inventory divided by cost of goods sold
    • DEnding inventory divided by beginning inventory
    Show answer

    ✓ Correct answer: A. Cost of goods sold divided by average inventory

    Inventory turnover measures how many times inventory is sold and replaced during a period. It is calculated by dividing cost of goods sold by average inventory.

  7. Q17Pro forma financial statements are used primarily for

    • ARecording actual past transactions
    • BHistorical performance analysis only
    • CTax reporting to the IRS
    • DFinancial planning and forecasting
    Show answer

    ✓ Correct answer: D. Financial planning and forecasting

    Pro forma statements are projected financial statements used for planning and forecasting future financial performance based on assumptions about future business conditions.

  8. Q18On the statement of cash flows, the purchase of treasury stock would be classified as a

    • AInvesting activity
    • BOperating activity
    • CFinancing activity
    • DNon-cash activity
    Show answer

    ✓ Correct answer: C. Financing activity

    Treasury stock purchases involve the company buying back its own shares, which is a transaction with owners and therefore classified as a financing activity.

  9. Q19The asset turnover ratio measures

    • AHow quickly assets can be converted to cash
    • BHow efficiently assets are used to generate sales
    • CThe profitability of the company's assets
    • DThe liquidity position of the company
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    ✓ Correct answer: B. How efficiently assets are used to generate sales

    Asset turnover (Sales divided by Total Assets) measures how efficiently a company uses its assets to generate sales revenue. Higher turnover indicates better asset utilization.

  10. Q20Which of the following would cause total stockholders' equity to increase?

    • ANet income for the period
    • BPayment of cash dividends
    • CPurchase of treasury stock
    • DPayment of accounts payable
    Show answer

    ✓ Correct answer: A. Net income for the period

    Net income increases retained earnings, which is a component of stockholders' equity. Profitable operations increase the equity of the company.

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