AccountingQA Latest Questions

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  1. Ishika Pandey Curious ca aspirant
    This answer was edited.

    Definition Bad debts are a debt owed to an enterprise that is considered to be irrecoverable or we can say that it is owed to the business that is written off because it is irrecoverable. Bad debts will be treated in the following ways : On the debit side of the profit and loss account. In the curreRead more

    Definition

    Bad debts are a debt owed to an enterprise that is considered to be irrecoverable or we can say that it is owed to the business that is written off because it is irrecoverable.

    Bad debts will be treated in the following ways :

    On the debit side of the profit and loss account.

    In the current assets side of the balance sheet, these are deducted from sundry debtors.

    For example loans from banks are declared as bad debt, sales made on credit and amounts not received from customers, etc.

    Now I will show you an extract of the profit and loss account and balance sheet   

    Current assets are defined as cash and other assets that are expected to be converted into cash or consumed in the production of goods or the rendering of services in the ordinary course of business.

    For example,  debtors exist to convert them into cash i.e., receive the amount from them, bills receivable exist again for receiving cash against it, etc.

     

    Current liabilities are defined as liabilities that are payable normally within 12 months from the end of the accounting period or in other words which fall due for payment in a relatively short period.

    For example bills payable, short-term loans, etc.

     

    Accounting treatment

    Now let me try to explain to you the accounting treatment for bad debts which is as follows :

    • Balance sheet
      • In the balance sheet either it can be shown on the asset side under head current assets by reducing from that specific assets.
      • For example, if credit sales are made to a customer who says it’s not recoverable or is partially recoverable then the amount is bad debt. It’s a loss for the business and credited to the personal account of debtors or we can say reduced from debtor those are current assets of the balance sheet.

     

    • Profit and loss account
      • Bad debts are treated as an expense and debited to the profit and loss account.
      • For example, as I have explained above, but before transferring to the balance sheet, bad debt will be debited to the profit and loss account as an expense.

     

    Reasons for bad debts

    There are several reasons why businesses may have bad debts some of them are as follows:-

    • Offered credit to customers who were unable to pay them back, or they may have been the victim of fraud.

     

    • When there is conflicts or dispute arise with respect to product size, color, quality, delivery, credit term, price, etc therefore debts becomes bad.

     

    • Debtors have poor financial management or they are not able to pay debts on time.

     

    • Debtors’ unwillingness to pay is also a reason for debts to become bad.

     

    • Or there can be more cases where debtors are unable to collect debts and debts turns out to be bad.

     

    Accounting methods

    There are two methods for accounting for bad debts which are mentioned below:-

    • First, is the direct written-off method which states that bad debts will be directly treated as expenses and expensed to the income statement, which is called the profit and loss account.

     

    • Second, is the allowance method which means we create provisions for doubtful debts accounts and the debtor’s account remains as it is since the debtor’s account and provision for doubtful debts account are two separate accounts.

     

      • Debts that are doubtful of recovery are provided estimating the debts that may not be recovered .amount debited to the profit and loss account reduces the current year’s profit and the amount of provision is carried forward to the next year.
      • Next year, when debts actually become bad debts and are written off, the amount of bad debts is transferred ( debited ) to the provision for doubtful debts account.
      • The amount of bad debts is not debited to the profit and loss account since it was already debited in earlier years.
      • Provision for doubtful debts is shown in the debit side of the profit and loss account as well as shown as a deduction from sundry debtors in the assets side of the balance sheet. 

     

    Related terms

    So there are a few related terms whose meanings you should know

    • Further bad debts :
      • It means the amount of sundry debtors in the trial balance is before the deduction of bad debts. in this situation, entry for further bad debts is also passed into the books of account.
      • That is bad debts are debited and the debtor’s account is credited. And the accounting treatment for them is the same as bad debts which I have shown you above.

     

    • Bad debts recovered :
      • It may happen that the amount written off as bad debts is recovered fully or partially.
      • In that case, the amount is not credited to the debtor’s (personal) account but is credited to the bad debts recovered account because the amount recovered had been earlier written off as a loss.
      • Thus amount recovered is a ‘gain’  and is credited to the profit and loss account.

     

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  1. AbhishekBatabyal Helpful Pursuing CA, BCOM (HONS)

    Introduction Income tax means the tax charged on the income of a person which the person has earned during a financial year. As per the Income-tax act, 1961, the income tax on income earned during a financial year is assessed in the following financial year and tax is to be paid on the assessed incoRead more

    Introduction

    Income tax means the tax charged on the income of a person which the person has earned during a financial year. As per the Income-tax act, 1961, the income tax on income earned during a financial year is assessed in the following financial year and tax is to be paid on the assessed income if payable.

    The year in which the income is earned is called the Previous Year and the following year in which the previous year’s income is assessed is known as the Assessment Year

    Steps involved in the computation of Income-tax of a person:

    1. Determination of residential status of the person
    2. Classification and computation of income under the five heads of income
    3. Clubbing of income of spouse, minor child etc
    4. Set-off or carry forward of losses
    5. Computation of Gross Total Income
    6. Deductions from Gross Total Income to arrive at Total Income
    7. Application of the rates of taxes on total income
    8.  Advance tax and tax deducted at source
    9. Arrival  at Tax payable/ Tax refundable
    10. Determination of residential status of the person

    Determination of residential status of the person

    The residential status of a person is of great significance for ascertaining the taxability of a person’s income as per the Income-tax act, 1961. As per the act, a person can fall into one of the following criteria:-

    1. Resident and Ordinarily Resident in India
    2. Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident in India
    3. Non-Resident

    Classification and computation of income under the five heads of income

    Now, a person’s income can be from various sources. As per section 14 of the Income-tax act, there are five main heads of income for computation of income tax:

    1. Income from Salary
    2. Income from House Property
    3. Profits and Gains from Business or Profession
    4. Capital Gains
    5. Income from other sources

    Income under each head is to be computed as per provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

    Clubbing of income of spouse, minor child etc

    Some individual taxpayers divert some portion of their income to their spouses and minor child in order to reduce their tax liability as the slab rate of income tax for individuals is progressive.

    Such diverted income is to be clubbed with the income of the assessee as per the provisions of the Income-tax act.

    Set-off and carry forward of losses

    Losses suffered under the heads of the income like ‘Profit and Gains from Business and Profession’, ‘Income from House property’ can be set off against the income earned under other heads as per provision of the act.

    If set off is not possible in the current assessment year then the loss can be carried forward to the next assessment year.

    Computation of Gross Total Income

    Gross Total Income is arrived at by computing the total of income under all five heads of income after giving necessary deductions as applicable under each head of income.

    Deductions from Gross Total Income to arrive at Total Income

    Income tax act, 1961 allows specific deduction from the Gross Total Income under sections 80C to 80U. These deductions are provided to encourage certain kinds of investments like life insurance premiums etc and provide relief on certain spending like medical expenses, interest expenses on home loans etc which leads to the overall welfare of the people.

    After allowing the deductions from Gross Total Income, we arrive at Total Income.

    Application of the rates of taxes on total income

    Tax is calculated at a rate on the total income. The rate and calculation of income tax depend on the type of assessees.

    Individuals and HUFs

    For individuals who are below the age of 60 years and HUFs:

    For individuals over 60 years and 80 years of age, the basic exemption limit is ₹3,00,000 and ₹5,00,000 respectively.

    Also, as per section 115BAC, individuals and HUFs have the option to choose an alternative slab rate of tax as per which the income tax is charged at concessional rates. But, the various exemptions and deductions like housing rent allowance, leave travel concession, standard deduction on salary income cannot be availed. This slab rate system was introduced recently to reduce the complexity of filling IT returns by small taxpayers.

    Rates of tax related to other types of assessees is not provided for sake of simplicity.

    Advance tax and tax deducted at source

    After calculating the tax on total income as per specified rates, the income tax amount is to be reduced by the advance tax and tax deducted at the source.

    Tax payable/ Tax refundable

    After performing all the steps above, we arrive at Income tax payable or tax refundable.

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  1. AbhishekBatabyal Helpful Pursuing CA, BCOM (HONS)
    This answer was edited.

    Journal entry for goods purchased by cheque The journal entry for goods purchased by cheque is as follows: In this journal entry, purchase account and bank account are involved. The explanation is given below. Explanation Purchase Whenever there is a purchase of goods, the purchase account is debiteRead more

    Journal entry for goods purchased by cheque

    The journal entry for goods purchased by cheque is as follows:

    In this journal entry, purchase account and bank account are involved. The explanation is given below.

    Explanation

    Purchase

    Whenever there is a purchase of goods, the purchase account is debited.

    Goods refer to the items which an enterprise manufactures or purchases and sells to generate its business revenue.

    If there is a purchase of any other item which does not satisfy the above definition of goods, then the purchase account is not involved.

    For example, if stationery is purchased and the enterprise does not trade in stationery items, then the purchase account will not appear in the journal entry.

    Payment by cheque

    Payment by cheque means the payment amount will be deducted from the bank account balance. Hence, in the given journal entry, the bank account is involved.

    The logic behind the debit and credit

    The golden rules of accounting

    Purchase is an expense hence it is a nominal account. The golden rule for nominal accounts is “Debit all expense and loss and credit all incomes and gains”

    Hence, the purchase account is debited.

    Bank is a real account and the golden rule of accounting for real accounts is, “Debit what comes in, credit what goes out”.

    Hence, the bank account is credited as money is going out of the bank.

    Modern rules of accounting

    Purchase is an expense account, and expenses are debited when increased and credited when decreased.

    Hence, the purchase account is debited here.

    A bank account is an asset account. Asset accounts are debited in case of an increase and credited in case of a decrease. Hence, the bank account is credited here.

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  1. Ishika Pandey Curious ca aspirant
    This answer was edited.

    Definition Prepaid expenses are those expenses whose payments are done in advance which can be for the goods or services whose benefit will accrue in the subsequent accounting period. A prepaid expense is a current asset. prepaid expenses are classified under the head current assets in the balance sRead more

    Definition

    Prepaid expenses are those expenses whose payments are done in advance which can be for the goods or services whose benefit will accrue in the subsequent accounting period.

    A prepaid expense is a current asset. prepaid expenses are classified under the head current assets in the balance sheet.

    This is because they provide future economic benefits to the company. As such, they are assets that can be used to generate revenue in the future.

    For example prepaid rent, prepaid insurance, etc.

     

    Current assets are defined as cash and other assets that are expected to be converted into cash or consumed in the production of goods or rendering of services in the normal course of business.

    Or in other words, we can say that the expected realization period is less than the operating cycle period although it is more than the period of 12 months from the date of the balance sheet.

    For example, goods are purchased with the purpose to resell and earn a profit, debtors exist to convert them into cash i.e., receive the amount from them, bills receivable exist again for receiving cash against it, etc.

     

    Current liabilities are liabilities that are payable generally within 12 months from the end of the accounting period or in other words which fall due for payment in a relatively short period.

    For example bills payable, short-term loans, etc.

     

    Why current assets and not a  current liability?

    Now let me try to explain to you that prepaid expenses are classified as current assets  and not as a current liability which is as follows :

      • we can say that the expected realization period is less than the operating cycle period although it is more than the period of 12 months from the date of the balance sheet.
      • expected to be converted into cash or consumed in the production of goods or rendering of services in the normal course of business.
      • In the business prepaid expense are treated as an asset which we can see on the asset side of the balance sheet.
      • Or in other words, we can say that it is initially recorded as a prepaid expense as an asset in the balance sheet and subsequently its value is expensed over time in the profit and loss account.

     

    Example

    Now let us take an example for explaining prepaid expenses which are mentioned below.

    An insurance premium of Rs 50000 has been paid for one year beginning (previous year). The financial year ends on 31st  march YYYY.

    It means the premium for 6 months i.e., 1st April, YYYY(current year) to 30th September, YYYY(current year) amounting to Rs 25000 is paid in advance.

    Thus, of premium paid in advance (Rs 25000)  is a Prepaid Expense. It will be accounted as an expense in the financial year ending  31st  march next year. In the balance sheet as of 31st march YYYY ( current year ) it will be shown as Current Asset.

    Here is an extract of the profit /loss account and balance sheet of the above example:

     

    Key points

    There are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with prepaid expenses.

    • First, is that the expenses are actually prepaid. This means that the expenses were paid for before they were used.

     

    • Second, it is essential to track the number of prepaid expenses that have been used. That is to make sure that the prepaid expenses are not overstated on the company’s financial statements. This can happen if the company pays for more goods or services than it actually

     

    • Last but not least it is important to keep in mind that changes in the value of prepaid expenses can impact the company’s net income. For example, if the company’s prepaid insurance increases in value, this will increase the company’s net income.

     

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  1. Ishika Pandey Curious ca aspirant
    This answer was edited.

    Definition The trial balance is a list of all the closing balances of the general ledger at the end of the year. Or in other words, I can say that it is a statement showing debit and credit balances. A trial balance is prepared on a particular date and not on a particular period. Importance As the tRead more

    Definition

    The trial balance is a list of all the closing balances of the general ledger at the end of the year. Or in other words, I can say that it is a statement showing debit and credit balances.

    A trial balance is prepared on a particular date and not on a particular period.

    Importance

    As the trial balance is prepared at the end of the year so it is important for the preparation of financial statements like balance sheet or profit and loss

    Purpose of trial balance which are as follows:

      • To verify the arithmetical accuracy of the ledger accounts
      • This means trial balance indicates that equal debits and credits have been recorded in the ledger accounts.
      • It enables one to establish whether the posting and other accounting processes have been carried out without any arithmetical errors.
      • To help in locating errors
      • There can be some errors if the trial balance is untallied therefore to get error-free financial statements trial balance is prepared.
      • To facilitates the preparation of financial statements
      • A trial balance helps us to directly prepare the financial statements and then which gives us the right to not look or no need to refer to the ledger accounts.

     

    Preparation of trial balance

      • To verify the correctness of the posting of ledger accounts in the terms of debit credit amounts periodically, a periodic trial balance may be prepared ( say ) at the end of the month or quarter, or half year.
      • There is no point in denying that a trial balance can be prepared at any time.
      • But it should at least be prepared at the end of the accounting period to verify the arithmetical accuracy of the ledger accounts before the preparation of financial statements.

     

    Methods of preparation

    • Balance method
    • Total amount methods

     

    These are two methods that you can use to prepare trail balance, now let me explain to you in detail about these methods which are as follows:-

     

    Balance method

    • The balances of all the accounts ( including cash and bank account ) are incorporated in the trial balance.
    • When ledger accounts are balanced only this method can be used.
    • This method is generally used by accountants for preparation of the financial statements.

     

    Total amount method

    • Under this method, the total amount of debit and credit items in each ledger account is incorporated into the trial balance.
    • This method can be used immediately after the completion of posting from the books of the original entry ledger.

     

    Steps to prepare a trial balance

    • First, we need to decide the method to opt for the preparation of the trial balance which is mentioned above.
    • Then once opted, collect all the balances as per the method adopted and prepare accordingly by posting the debit and credit side of the trial balance.
    • After this process arrange all the accounts in order of their nature (assets, liabilities, equity, income, and expenses ).
    • Then you have to total debit and credit balances separately.
    • After the above steps if there is any difference between the total debit and credit side balances then that is adjusted through the suspense account.

     

    A suspense account is generated when the above case arises that is trial balance did not agree after transferring the balance of all ledger accounts including cash and bank balance.

    And also errors are not located in  timely, then the trial balance is tallied by transferring the difference between the debit and credit side to an account known as a suspense account.

     

    Rules of trial balance

    When we prepare a trial balance from the given list of ledger balances, the following rules to be kept in mind that are as follows :

    • The balance of all
    • Assets accounts
    • Expenses accounts
    • Losses
    • Drawings
    • Cash and bank balances

    Are placed in the debit column of the trial balance.

    • The balances of
    • liabilities accounts
    • income accounts
    • profits
    • capital

    Are placed in the credit column of the trial balance.

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