To begin with, let me first give you a small explanation of what Contingent assets are A contingent asset is a potential asset or economic benefit that does not exist currently but may arise in the near future. Such an asset arises from an uncertain and unpredictable event. To make it clear with anRead more
To begin with, let me first give you a small explanation of what Contingent assets are
A contingent asset is a potential asset or economic benefit that does not exist currently but may arise in the near future. Such an asset arises from an uncertain and unpredictable event.
To make it clear with an example: String Co. filed a lawsuit against a competitor company Weave Tech Co. for infringing on company ABC’s patent. Even if it is probable (but not certain) that Strings Co. will win the lawsuit, it is a contingent asset.
As such, it will not be recorded in Strings Co. general ledger accounts until the lawsuit is settled.
At most the Strings Co. can do is, prepare a note disclosing the fact that it has filed the lawsuit the outcome of which is uncertain.
Disclosing Contingent Assets
- The probability of occurrence is virtually certain or probable: It will be disclosed as an asset in the balance sheet.
For Example, The court orders for reimbursement to Strings Co. say 1,00,000 for the damages, but it has not yet received the money. Although it is virtually certain that the company will receive the money in the near future, it will be treated as an asset and can be disclosed in the balance sheet on the assets side.
- The probability of occurrence is probable: It will be disclosed as notes to accounts below the balance sheet.
For Example, Strings Co. filed a lawsuit against a competitor company Weave Tech for infringing on Strings Co. patent. Even if it is probable (but not certain) that Strings Co. will win the lawsuit, it is a contingent asset.
As such, it will not be recorded in Strings company’s general ledger until the lawsuit is settled.
At most the Strings Co. can do is, prepare a note disclosing the fact that it has filed the lawsuit the outcome of which is uncertain.
- The probability of occurrence is remote or not probable: It will not be treated as a contingent asset.
In this case, the disclosure of it is not permitted.
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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
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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