AccountingQA Latest Questions

Ishika Pandey
Ishika PandeyCurious
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  2. SidharthBadlani CA Inter Student

    A bills receivable book is a subsidiary book that shows the details of various bills receivables drawn on customers. It shows the amount, due date, date when the bill was drawn, name of the acceptor, and various other details pertaining to each bill. A bills payable book is a subsidiary book that shRead more

    A bills receivable book is a subsidiary book that shows the details of various bills receivables drawn on customers. It shows the amount, due date, date when the bill was drawn, name of the acceptor, and various other details pertaining to each bill.

    A bills payable book is a subsidiary book that shows the details of various bills that suppliers have drawn on the business. It shows the amount, due date, date when the bill was drawn, name of the drawer and various other details pertaining to each bill.

    The total of both these books is ultimately transferred to the general ledger. From there, it is used in drafting the balance sheet.

    Importance of bills receivable and bills payable books

    Bills receivable books help us know the amount that each customer is liable to pay us on specific dates while bills payable books help us know the amounts that we have to pay our various suppliers on certain dates.

    Together these books help us handle our cash flows in an efficient manner.

    We can evaluate our credit cycle. Bills receivable books help us avoid bad debts while bills payable books help us to avoid defaults.

     

    Difference between bills receivable and bills payable

    These are the primary differences between bills payable and bills receivable:

    • Bills receivable represent the amounts that the business is to receive from customers while bills payable represent the amounts that the business has to pay to suppliers.
    • Bills receivable are recorded as an asset in the balance sheet while bills payable are recorded as a liability.
    • Bills receivable are drawn by the business on the customers while the bills payable are drawn by the suppliers on the business.
    • Bills receivable are the outcome of credit sales while bills payable are the outcome of credit purchases.
    • Bills receivable result in an inflow of cash while bills payable result in an outflow of cash.
    • The dishonor of a bill receivable is recorded as an increase in the debtors of the business. Default on payment of bills payable may occur either because the business has become bankrupt or the business may record an increase in creditors.

    We can conclude that both bills receivable and bills payable books are subsidiary books. Bills receivable shows the details of every bill that the business has drawn on each credit customer. Bills payable show the details of every bill that each credit supplier has drawn on the business.

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
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Cash FlowDepreciation
  2. Astha Leader Pursuing CA, BCom (Hons.)
    This answer was edited.

    Depreciation refers to that portion of the value of an asset that a company uses in an accounting year to generate revenue. Assets are written off in form of depreciation over time also called the useful life of the asset. It denotes the wear and tear of an asset over time. Suppose, a company namedRead more

    Depreciation refers to that portion of the value of an asset that a company uses in an accounting year to generate revenue. Assets are written off in form of depreciation over time also called the useful life of the asset. It denotes the wear and tear of an asset over time.

    Suppose, a company named Johnson ltd. purchases machinery for 50,000 that has a useful life of 5 years with nil salvage value. Then the yearly depreciation to be charged can be calculated as:

    Depreciation calculation with formula

    Is Depreciation a Cash Flow?

    Cash flows are inflows and outflows of cash and cash equivalents in an entity. The payments made by the entity denote the outflows whereas the revenues or incomes of the entity denote the inflows. Talking about cash flows, depreciation is a non-cash item of expense which means it neither results in inflow nor outflow of cash resources.

    In the adjacent Profit and Loss statement, a cash payment of 7,000 for electricity implies outflow of cash however, depreciation of 10,000 is merely an imputed cost to write off an asset or we can say, a part of profits set aside each year so that there are sufficient funds available to procure a new asset after the currently available asset is discarded.

    showing depreciation in profit and loss account

    However, cash flow statements are affected by depreciation. Depreciation is added back to the net profits while calculating cash flows from operating expenses since it is a non-cash item and has been deducted while calculating net profits in the profit and loss statement.

    Depreciation shown in cash flow statement

    Depreciation does not directly impact the amount of cash generated or expended by a business but it is tax-deductible and will reduce the cash outflows related to income taxes. Thus, depreciation affects cash flow by reducing the amount of cash a business has to pay for income taxes.

    depreciation effect on cash flow indirectly

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
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  2. SidharthBadlani CA Inter Student

    No, forensic accounting and auditing are not the same thing. Forensic accounting is a much more detailed task that is normally done when fraud or other illegal activity is suspected. The evidence collected by forensic accountants is used in the court of law. Forensic accounting is mostly done when aRead more

    No, forensic accounting and auditing are not the same thing. Forensic accounting is a much more detailed task that is normally done when fraud or other illegal activity is suspected.

    The evidence collected by forensic accountants is used in the court of law. Forensic accounting is mostly done when a suit has already been filed or is likely to be filed.

     

    How Forensic Accounting Differs from Auditing?

    Auditing means an inspection of financial statements done by experts with a view to obtaining reasonable assurance as to whether or not the financial statements correctly state the financial position and financial performance of the entity during the period under audit.

    Forensic accounting is the use of accounting skills to detect any fraud, embezzlement or other illegal activity that may have occurred within the entity.

    This is how forensic accounting differs from auditing:

    • Forensic accounting is different from auditing in that forensic accounting is done with an intention to identify and uncover frauds while auditing is normally done to provide the users of financial statements reasonable assurance that the statements are correct and true.
    • Auditing usually identifies only those misstatements that are material. Materiality is the one of the main concerns of auditors. However, in forensic auditing every type of misstatement is scrutinized as material. The forensic accountants try to identify fraud in every misstatement.
    • Forensic accounting is usually done only when fraud and other illegal activities are suspected and some suit has been filed or is likely to be filed while auditing of annual financial statements is mandatory for firms meeting certain threshold limits of turnover/gross receipt/revenue.

    Importance of Forensic Accounting

    • Forensic accounting is used to detect frauds, forgery, misappropriation of assets and other illegal activities.
    • The evidence collected during forensic accounting can be used in a court of law. Often, those conducting forensic accounting are also called upon to testify as experts in a court.
    • Forensic accounting identifies loopholes in the internal controls of an entity that has been or may be exploited for conducting frauds and other illegal activities.
    • Forensic accountants suggest different measures that an entity can take to make it’s internal controls more effective and prevent illegal activities in the future.

    Conclusion

    Forensic accounting and auditing are very different from each other. While auditing is done to identify only material misstatement, forensic accounting is done with an objective of detecting possible fraud or other illegal activity. Auditing of financial statements is mandatory for firms exceeding certain threshold limits of turnover/gross receipts/revenue while financial accounting is usually done when a suit for fraud, embezzlement etc has been filed or is likely to be filed.

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Anushka Lalwani
Anushka Lalwani
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1) Liability 2) Asset 3) Expenses 4) Income

  2. ShreyaSharma none
    This answer was edited.

    Therefore, 2) Asset is the correct option. Explanation   The petty cash book is managed and made by not an accountant but the petty cashier and is done to record small incomes and expenditures that are not recordable in the cash book. Therefore, the desired result we obtain from the deduction oRead more

    Therefore, 2) Asset is the correct option.

    Explanation

     

    The petty cash book is managed and made by not an accountant but the petty cashier and is done to record small incomes and expenditures that are not recordable in the cash book. Therefore, the desired result we obtain from the deduction of the total expenditure and total cash receipt is the closing balance of the petty cash book.

    Petty cash refers to the in-hand physical cash that a business holds to pay for small and unplanned expenses.

    Asset: The closing balance of the petty cash book is considered an asset because the petty cash book is a type of cash book. The petty cash book also deals in outflow and inflow of the cash, it also maintains and records income and expenditure that are similar to the cash book.

     

    The petty cash book since being a part of the cash book, which records all the inflow and outflow of cash in a business, which is an asset, thus petty cash book’s closing balance is considered an asset. Also, the balance of the petty cash book is never closed. Their closing balance is carried forward to the next year.

     

    Liability: The closing balance of the petty cash book is not considered a liability because that closing balance of the petty cash book doesn’t create a liability for the business. In fact, the closing of the petty cash book is placed under the head current asset in the balance sheet as mentioned above, it’s a part of the cash book which records the transactions of cash a/c which is an asset itself.

     

    Expenses or Income: It is not an expense because the closing balance of the petty cash book is calculated by deducting the total expenditure from the total cash receipt.

    That is an asset and it is considered to be a current asset, neither an income nor an expense. It is used for paying out petty expenses.

     

    Therefore, the closing balance of the petty cash book is considered an asset.

     

     

     

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Astha
AsthaLeader
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  2. Simerpreet Helpful CMA Inter qualified

    Outstanding Income is the income that is due and is being earned but not yet received. The person/ firm has the legal rights to receive that part of the income which it has earned. Outstanding Income is an Asset Account for the business/ the person. According to the modern approach, for Asset AccounRead more

    Outstanding Income is the income that is due and is being earned but not yet received. The person/ firm has the legal rights to receive that part of the income which it has earned.

    Outstanding Income is an Asset Account for the business/ the person.

    According to the modern approach, for Asset Account:

    • When there is an increase in the Asset, it is Debited.
    • When there is a decrease in Asset, it is Credited.

    So the journal entry  will be-

     

    For Example, Mr. Rashid works as a laborer in a factory and he earns wages @Rs 500/day.

    So by the end of the week, he receives a payment of Rs 3000 of Rs 3500 i.e. he receives payment of 6 days instead of 7 days. So here Rs 500 would be an outstanding income of Mr. Rashid as he has earned that income but has not received it yet.

    Journal Entry –

     

    Another example, Yes Bank gave a loan of Rs 10,00,000 to company Ford @ 10% as interest payable monthly. The interest for one month i.e. Rs 1,00,000 has not been received by Yes Bank which is being due. So it will be outstanding income for Yes Bank since it is due but not yet received.

    Journal entry-

     

    Accounting Treatment for Outstanding Income-

    • Treatment in Income Statement

    The Outstanding Income is shown on the credit side of the income statement as the income is earned for the current year but not yet received.

    • Treatment in Balance Sheet

    Outstanding Income is an Asset for the business and hence shown on the Assets side of the balance sheet.

     

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AbhishekBatabyal
AbhishekBatabyalHelpful
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  2. Ayushi Curious Pursuing CA
    This answer was edited.

    The term ‘bad debt’ and ‘write off’ are often used together in a sentence but they have different meanings. First, we will discuss them in brief to understand the differences between them. Bad debts We know, debtors for a business are their assets because the business has the right to receive moneyRead more

    The term ‘bad debt’ and ‘write off’ are often used together in a sentence but they have different meanings. First, we will discuss them in brief to understand the differences between them.

    Bad debts

    We know, debtors for a business are their assets because the business has the right to receive money from the debtors due to the goods supplied to them.

    But if due to circumstances, there appears no probability that the amount due to one or more debtors will be realised to the business, then such debts are categorised as bad debts.

    In short, bad debts refer to the amount of money that will not be received from some debtors of the business due to some circumstances like insolvency of debtor etc.

    Bad debt is deducted from debtors account by the following journal entry:

    Bad debts A/c Dr. Amt
    To Debtors A/c Cr. Amt
    (Being bad debts written off from debtors)

    As bad debts are losses to a business, it is ultimately written off from the profit and loss account.

    Profit and loss A/c Dr. Amt
    To Bad debts A/c Cr. Amt
    (Being bad debts written off to profit and loss account)

    Write off

    In layman terms, write off means to deduct something out from something. In accounting, write off means to deduct or reduce value of assets by crediting it to a liability account which is usually a reserve account or the profit and loss account.

    It also refers to the elimination of an item from the books of accounts particularly losses and expenses.

    Generally, writing off is associated with the following:

    1. Bad debts.
    2. Damaged Inventories.
    3. Loss on issue or redemption of debentures.
    4. Preliminary expenses.
    5. Bad loans and advances.

    Write off can be done in one of the following methods:

    1. Direct write-off: The write off is directly done by crediting asset account or loss account and debiting the reserve or P/L account.
    2. Indirect write-off: Here, an intermediate account is involved between the asset account and liabilities account. A common example is writing off of bad debts where the bad debts account is the intermediate account.

    Hence, the following differences can be observed between bad debts and write off or writing off:

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Anushka Lalwani
Anushka Lalwani
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  2. Kajal

    All expenses whose benefits are received over the years or the expenses or losses that are to be written off over the years are classified as Deferred revenue expenses. It includes fictitious expenses like preliminary expenses, loss on issue of debentures, advertising expenses, loss due to unusual oRead more

    All expenses whose benefits are received over the years or the expenses or losses that are to be written off over the years are classified as Deferred revenue expenses. It includes fictitious expenses like preliminary expenses, loss on issue of debentures, advertising expenses, loss due to unusual occurrences like loss due to fire, theft, and research and development expenses, etc. 

     

    DEFERRED REVENUE EXPENSES

    There are certain expenses which are revenue in nature (i.e. expenses incurred to maintain the earning capacity of the firm and generate revenue) but whose benefits are received over a period of years generally between 3 to 7 years. It means its benefit is received not only in the current accounting period but over a few consecutive accounting periods.

    CHARACTERISTICS

    • Revenue in nature
    • Benefits received for more than one accounting period.
    • Huge expenditure (large amount is involved)
    • Affects the profitability of the business (since a large amount is involved if charged in the same accounting period, then it will decrease the profitability for the year)
    • Written off over the years either partially or entirely.
    • Fictitious asset It doesn’t result in the creation of any asset but is shown as an asset (fictitious asset) on the Balance Sheet till fully written off.

     

    EXAMPLES

     

    ADVERTISING EXPENSES refers to the expenses incurred for promoting the goods or services of the firm through various channels like TV, Social media, Hoardings, etc.

    As the benefit of advertising is not received not only in the period when such expenses were incurred but also in the coming few years, it is classified as Deferred revenue expense.

    For example – Suppose the company incurred $10 lakh on advertising to introduce a new product in the market and estimated that its benefit will last for 4 years. In this case, $250,000 will be written off every year, for 4 consecutive years.

     

    EXCEPTIONAL LOSSES are losses that are incurred because of some unusual event and don’t happen regularly like loss from fire, theft, earthquake, flood or any other natural disaster, confiscation of property, etc.

    Since these losses can’t be written off in the year they occurred they are also treated as Deferred revenue expenditure and are written off over the years.

     

    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES are expenses incurred on researching and developing new products or improving the existing ones. Its benefits are received for many years and thus are classified as Deferred revenue expenses.

    For example – Expenses incurred on the creation of intangible assets like patents, copyrights, etc.

     

    PRELIMINARY EXPENSES are those expenses which are incurred before the incorporation and commencement of the business. It includes legal fees, registration fees, stamp duty, printing expenses, etc.

    These expenses are fictitious assets and are written off over the years.

     

    TREATMENT

    It is debited to the P&L amount (amount written off that year) and the remaining amount on the Aeest side of the Balance Sheet.

    In the above example of advertising expenses, in Year 1, $250,000 will be debited in the P&L A/c and the remaining amount of $750,000 is shown on the Asset side of the Balance Sheet.

    In Year 2, $250,00 in P&L A/c and the remaining $500,000 in Balance Sheet.

    In Year 3, $250,000 in P&L A/c and the remaining $250,000 in the Balance Sheet and in the last Year 4, only the remaining amount of $250,000 in P&L A/c and nothing in the Balance Sheet.

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