• 50 questions

NOCTI Accounting Practice Test

Unofficial practice for the NOCTI Accounting written assessment, from journal entries to payroll and bank reconciliations.

In a double-entry system, which side of an account holds the debits?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

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Exam mode: 50 questions, 60 minutes.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with NOCTI. Bank checked October 9, 2026.

Next step More accounting: TExES Business and FinanceAnother NOCTI test: Computer Technology

All 50 questions

Journalizing 10

  • A company buys $2,000 of inventory on credit. Which journal entry records the purchase? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 4.4, Preparing Journal Entries. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Journalizing
  • A customer pays $600 cash to settle an account receivable. What does the journal entry do? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 4.3, An Introduction to Double-Entry Bookkeeping. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Journalizing
  • Employees have earned $900 of salary that will not be paid until next month. Which period-end adjusting entry records it? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 5.1, The Need for Adjusting Entries. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Journalizing
  • In a double-entry system, which side of an account holds the debits? IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, Bookkeeping System. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Journalizing
  • On October 1 a business pays $1,200 for twelve months of insurance and records it as Prepaid Insurance. How much insurance expense does the December 31 adjusting entry record? Own question; the answer is worked out again from the numbers in it. Prepaid expenses as defined in Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 5.2, Preparing Various Adjusting Entries. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Journalizing
Show all 50 questions (45 more)

Journalizing, continued

  • The owner invests $10,000 of cash in the business. Which entry records the investment? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 4.3, An Introduction to Double-Entry Bookkeeping. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Journalizing
  • Under accrual accounting, which principle has an expense recognized in the same period as the revenue it helped to generate? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 4.4, Preparing Journal Entries. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Journalizing
  • Which accounting record is the diary of a company, capturing each financial event as it takes place? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 4.4, Preparing Journal Entries. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Journalizing
  • Which group of accounts increases with a debit? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 4.3, An Introduction to Double-Entry Bookkeeping. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Journalizing
  • Why is a double-entry bookkeeping system described as self-balancing? IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, Bookkeeping System. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Journalizing

Posting 5

  • A $400 payment was posted as a debit to Rent Expense when it belonged in Utilities Expense. What does the trial balance show? Wikipedia, Trial balance. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Posting
  • A trial balance is out by $45 because two digits were swapped when an amount was posted. What is true of the difference a transposition causes? Wikipedia, Transcription error. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Posting
  • The accounts receivable subsidiary ledger lists what each customer owes. What should its total match? Wikipedia, Subledger. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Posting
  • The Cash account shows debits of $5,200 and $1,300 and one credit of $2,450. What is its balance? Own question; the answer is worked out again from the numbers in it. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Posting
  • In a double-entry system, where are transactions entered first, and where are they posted afterward? IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, Bookkeeping System. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Posting

Payroll Preparation 5

  • A payroll clerk figures weekly gross pay for a worker paid $22 an hour who put in 44 hours. Hours past 40 are paid at one and one-half times the regular rate. What is the gross pay? Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. 207(a)(1); the answer is arithmetic that is worked out again. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Payroll Preparation
  • Gross pay for the period is $1,500. At the employee rate of 6.2%, how much Social Security tax is withheld? IRS Tax Topic 751, Social Security and Medicare withholding rates; the answer is arithmetic that is worked out again. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Payroll Preparation
  • Gross pay is $800.00. Withheld are $64.00 of federal income tax, $49.60 of Social Security tax and $11.60 of Medicare tax. What is the net pay? Own question; the answer is worked out again from the numbers in it. Rates from IRS Tax Topic 751. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Payroll Preparation
  • Which federal payroll tax is paid by the employer only, at 6.0% of the first $7,000 of each employee's wages for the year? IRS Tax Topic 759, Form 940, and Publication 15 (Circular E). Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Payroll Preparation
  • Which form does an employer use to report the income, Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld from paychecks, together with the employer's share? IRS, About Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Payroll Preparation

Cash and Banking Procedures 6

  • A bank reconciliation turns up a service charge that is on the bank statement but not yet in the books. How is it handled? IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, Recordkeeping System Example, Bank Reconciliation. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Cash and Banking Procedures
  • A business stamps "For deposit only" on the back of each check it receives. What does that restrictive endorsement indicate? Uniform Commercial Code, section 3-206, Restrictive Indorsement (Legal Information Institute copy). Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Cash and Banking Procedures
  • A petty cash fund is set at a fixed $50.00. The box holds $14.25 in cash. What should the petty cash slips total? IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, Recordkeeping System Example, Petty cash fund; the answer is arithmetic that is worked out again. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Cash and Banking Procedures
  • The bank statement shows $4,200. Deposits of $650 are not yet on the statement, and outstanding checks total $480. What is the adjusted bank statement balance? IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, Recordkeeping System Example, Bank Reconciliation; the answer is arithmetic that is worked out again. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Cash and Banking Procedures
  • How does paying with a debit card differ from paying with a credit card? Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, How are prepaid cards, debit cards, and credit cards different?. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Cash and Banking Procedures
  • What should be made out each time a payment is made from a petty cash fund? IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, Supporting Documents: Expenses. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Cash and Banking Procedures

Completion of Accounting Cycle 8

  • A $250 debit was posted to the ledger as a $250 credit. By how much will the trial balance totals differ? Own question; the answer is worked out again from the numbers in it. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Completion of Accounting Cycle
  • A balance sheet lists total assets of $64,500 and total liabilities of $21,750. How much is the equity? Own question; the answer is worked out again from the numbers in it. The accounting equation as given in Wikipedia, Accounting equation. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Completion of Accounting Cycle
  • After the adjusted trial balance has been reviewed, which three statements does the accountant prepare from it, in order? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 5.3, Preparing Financial Statements Based on Adjusted Balances. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Completion of Accounting Cycle
  • For the year, revenues total $48,000 and expenses total $31,500. What does the income statement report? Own question; the answer is worked out again from the numbers in it. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Completion of Accounting Cycle
  • On a worksheet, Supplies has a trial balance debit of $900 and an adjustment credit of $650. What goes in the adjusted trial balance columns? Own question; the answer is worked out again from the numbers in it. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Completion of Accounting Cycle
  • Retained earnings began the year at $20,000. Net income was $8,000 and dividends paid were $3,000. What is the ending balance? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 4.3, An Introduction to Double-Entry Bookkeeping; the answer is arithmetic that is worked out again. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Completion of Accounting Cycle
  • Which accounts do closing entries bring to zero when an accounting period ends? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 5.3, Preparing Financial Statements Based on Adjusted Balances. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Completion of Accounting Cycle
  • Which accounts stay open on a permanent basis from one year to the next? IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, Bookkeeping System. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Completion of Accounting Cycle

Identification and Application of Source Data 7

  • A business has no canceled check for a payment. Its bank statement can prove the payment if it shows the check number, the amount, the payee's name and what else? IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, Supporting Documents. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Identification and Application of Source Data
  • A business replaces its paper books with an electronic storage system. Which recordkeeping requirements apply to the electronic records? IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, Kinds of Records To Keep. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Identification and Application of Source Data
  • A customer mails a check with a note telling the supplier which invoice the payment covers. What is the note called? Wikipedia, Remittance advice. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Identification and Application of Source Data
  • A shop owner needs proof of each day's cash sales. Which of these does IRS Publication 583 list as a document that shows gross receipts? IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, Supporting Documents. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Identification and Application of Source Data
  • A supplier sends an itemized list of the goods it furnished, with prices and payment terms. What is this source document? Wikipedia, Invoice. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Identification and Application of Source Data
  • For how long must a business with employees keep its employment tax records? IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, How Long To Keep Records. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Identification and Application of Source Data
  • Which document does a buyer issue to a seller, stating the types, quantities and agreed prices of the goods wanted? Wikipedia, Purchase order. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Identification and Application of Source Data

Basic Accounting Knowledge and Skills 9

  • A customer pays $3,000 in advance for services to be performed later. How is this unearned revenue classified when it is received? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 5.3, Preparing Financial Statements Based on Adjusted Balances. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Basic Accounting Knowledge and Skills
  • For tax purposes, which of these describes a fiscal year? IRS Publication 538, Accounting Periods and Methods. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Basic Accounting Knowledge and Skills
  • In a spreadsheet, what does the formula =SUM(A2:A10) return? Microsoft Support, SUM function. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Basic Accounting Knowledge and Skills
  • In the United States, who awards the license to practice as a certified public accountant? Wikipedia, Certified Public Accountant. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Basic Accounting Knowledge and Skills
  • One employee approves supplier payments and a different employee signs the checks. Which internal control is at work? Wikipedia, Separation of duties. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Basic Accounting Knowledge and Skills
  • Since 1973, which body has been the primary authority in charge of producing U.S. GAAP? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 2.3, The Need for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Basic Accounting Knowledge and Skills
  • Under the accrual method, when is income generally reported? IRS Publication 538, Accounting Periods and Methods. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Basic Accounting Knowledge and Skills
  • What is the normal balance of Accounts Payable, and why? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 4.3, An Introduction to Double-Entry Bookkeeping. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Basic Accounting Knowledge and Skills
  • Which federal agency holds legal responsibility over the financial reporting of companies whose securities are publicly traded? Financial Accounting (Saylor Academy open textbook), section 6.1, The Need for the Securities and Exchange Commission. Written to NOCTI Accounting (4202), Basic Accounting Knowledge and Skills

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the competency list of the Job Ready Credential Blueprint for Accounting (code 4202, version 01, copyright 2026) that NOCTI publishes at https://www.nocti.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/JRAcctg4202.pdf , read 2026-10-09: a written assessment of 124 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes over seven areas (Journalizing 21%; Posting 10%; Payroll Preparation 10%; Cash and Banking Procedures 12%; Completion of Accounting Cycle 15%; Identification and Application of Source Data 14%; Basic Accounting Knowledge and Skills 18%), plus a performance assessment of seven jobs. This bank holds 50 in those proportions. Every rule and definition was read on the public page named under its question, each opened 2026-10-09: IRS publications and tax topics, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Uniform Commercial Code, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the open textbook Financial Accounting hosted by Saylor Academy, Microsoft Support and Wikipedia. Every amount is made up for the drill, and each computed answer is arithmetic that is worked out again. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This free NOCTI accounting practice test has 50 questions of our own, sorted by the seven areas of the Job Ready Accounting blueprint, code 4202. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by NOCTI.

Read the full guide

Seven areas, in the blueprint's shares

Journalizing is 21% of the written assessment; Basic Accounting Knowledge and Skills 18%; Completion of Accounting Cycle 15%; Identification and Application of Source Data 14%; Cash and Banking Procedures 12%; Posting 10%; Payroll Preparation 10%.

Timed like the real one

Exam mode runs all 50 questions in 60 minutes, the pace NOCTI sets in the blueprint, a free PDF on nocti.org/credentials/blueprints.

Where the rules come from

IRS Publications 583 and 538 for recordkeeping, bank reconciliations and petty cash; IRS tax topics for payroll rates; the Fair Labor Standards Act for overtime; the open textbook Financial Accounting for debits, credits, adjusting and closing entries. Every sum is worked out again.

  • Payroll rates are the IRS figures on the date checked: 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare from the employee, matched by the employer.

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the NOCTI accounting test?

The Job Ready Accounting blueprint, code 4202, lists 124 written questions with an administration time of 2 hours 30 minutes, given in one, two or three sessions. The performance assessment is separate and runs 3 hours 30 minutes.

Are there accounting NOCTI practice tests for more than one blueprint?

Besides Job Ready Accounting (4202), which this page follows, NOCTI publishes Accounting Foundations (1091), a shorter credential of 90 questions in 2 hours with its own areas. Ask your teacher which code you take.

Does this NOCTI practice test for accounting cover the performance jobs?

No. The performance assessment is seven hands-on jobs: account balances (7%), journal entries (31%), posting verification (10%), banking (9%), payroll (18%), a worksheet (9%) and financial statements (16%). Journal entries and payroll are nearly half of that score.

What score passes the NOCTI accounting test?

The blueprint prints the question count, the time and the area weights, but no pass mark. Ask your teacher how your program uses the score. Exam mode here shows the number right and no verdict.

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