Which of the following are steps in the accounting cycle?

The accounting cycle comprises a series of steps designed to capture all financial transactions of a business accurately and systematically. Preparing a trial balance is a key component of this cycle. It occurs after all journal entries have been posted and serves as a method to verify that total debits equal total credits, ensuring the accuracy of the accounting records. This step is essential because it helps identify any errors that may have occurred in the recording process before financial statements are prepared.

The other options, while relevant to overall financial management, do not fit within the typical steps of the accounting cycle. Conducting a financial audit involves an external review of financial statements and records to ensure compliance and accuracy, but it does not form part of the preparatory steps within the cycle. Creating employee paychecks, while important for payroll accounting, is not a formal step in the accounting cycle; it is more of a transactional action. Filing taxes represents a financial obligation and reporting process that occurs after the accounting cycle has been completed and does not belong to its core stages.