Business Degree Certification Practice Test

The economic entity assumption requires that which activities be kept separate?

1. The activities of different entities if all are corporations

2. The activities of a sole proprietorship from its owner's personal activities

3. All activities reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission

4. The activities of an entity from societal impacts

The correct answer is: The activities of a sole proprietorship from its owner's personal activities

The economic entity assumption is a fundamental principle in accounting that dictates how the financial activities of a business must be reported and analyzed separately from the personal financial activities of its owners. This assumption is particularly vital for sole proprietorships, where the owner and the business are not legally distinct entities, but for accounting purposes, it is essential to separate the two to give a clear and accurate picture of the business's financial performance. By keeping the activities of a sole proprietorship distinct from the owner's personal transactions, it prevents any confusion that might arise in financial reporting and ensures that the financial statements reflect only the business activities. This separation allows for better financial management, accurate tax reporting, and clearer insights into the business’s profitability and financial health. While the other options consider the separation of activities, they either pertain to different legal entities or do not align with the core intent of the economic entity assumption, which specifically focuses on the separation of business and personal financial activities for clearer accountability and transparency.