Which of the following is NOT part of the accounting process?

The accounting process consists of several key components that work together to ensure accurate financial reporting and analysis. This includes analyzing financial transactions, recording them in the appropriate accounts, and summarizing this information to prepare financial statements.

Analyzing involves evaluating financial data to identify trends or significant changes, which is essential for making informed business decisions. Recording is the act of documenting all financial transactions in the accounting system, ensuring that each transaction is accurately reflected in the books. Summarizing involves compiling and condensing this data into a format that is easy to interpret, such as financial statements, which provide stakeholders with a clear view of the company's financial health.

Advertising, on the other hand, falls outside the realm of the accounting process. It pertains to marketing and promoting a business's products or services, which is crucial for business growth but does not directly relate to financial data handling or reporting. Therefore, it is correctly identified as not being part of the accounting process.