Capital maintenance is a principle that states profit should not be recorded until its cost or capital has been maintained. In other words, profit should not be recognized unless net assets have been maintained. Capital maintenance states that profit recognized is the increase in the value of net asRead more
Capital maintenance is a principle that states profit should not be recorded until its cost or capital has been maintained. In other words, profit should not be recognized unless net assets have been maintained.
Capital maintenance states that profit recognized is the increase in the value of net assets. However, there are two exceptions to it:
- Cash increased because of sale of stock to shareholders
- Cash decreased because of dividend payout to its shareholders
It is important because:
- It protects the interest of shareholders
- It protects the interest of creditors
- Accurately analyzing the performance of the company
Capital maintenance is of two types:
- Financial Capital Maintenance
It is measured by the value of assets at the beginning and end of the financial year.
- Physical Capital Maintenance
It is measured by the production capacity at the beginning and end of the financial year.
Capital maintenance is concerned with keeping proper account balances of assets and not the physical assets.
Inflation is the increase in the economic value of goods due to the lower purchasing power and not an actual increase in the value of assets. So, if the value of an asset is increased due to inflation it does not depict the right picture for the company.
Hence, if the value of assets increases due to inflation, companies need to adjust the value of assets to assess if capital maintenance has occurred.Â
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Workmen Compensation Reserve as the name suggests is a reserve created by the company to compensate its employees in the event of any uncertainty in future. It is created to protect the interest of workers in the company. Workmen Compensation Reserve Account is generally given effect in case of admiRead more
Workmen Compensation Reserve as the name suggests is a reserve created by the company to compensate its employees in the event of any uncertainty in future. It is created to protect the interest of workers in the company.
Workmen Compensation Reserve Account is generally given effect in case of admission, retirement of partners or dissolution of firm.
If there is a change in the estimated value of reserve it is given effect during the revaluation of assets and liabilities.
Journal entry if the existing reserve is less than the new estimated amount:
Revaluation A/c (Dr)
To Workmen Compensation Reserve A/c
The reserve is credited because we need to create more than the existing reserve, since the new estimated liability is more than the existing.
Journal entry if the existing reserve is more than the new estimated amount:
Workmen Compensation Reserve A/c (Dr)
To Revaluation A/c
The reserve is debited because we need to decrease the existing reserve, since the new estimated liability is less than the existing.
If a worker claims compensation, it is said to be a liability against the reserve. In case of dissolution, any such liability against workmen compensation reserve takes priority to be paid off according to the law.
Journal entry in case of claim against reserve is:
Workmen Compensation Reserve A/c (Dr)
To Workmen Compensation Claim
The amount is transferred from the reserve to a new liability, hence the reserve is debited and the claim is credited.
If there are not sufficient funds in the firm to pay the liability, partners will have to bring funds from their personal assets to pay the workers.
Journal entry when partner’s have to bring funds:
Partner’s Capital Account (Dr)
To Workmen Compensation Reserve A/c
Partner’s need to bring funds to fulfill the liability, hence there account is debited and since the reserve is increased, hence it is credited.
If there is no liability against the Workmen Compensation Reserve then it is distributed amongst the partners in their existing profit-sharing ratio.
Journal entry for distribution of reserve is:
Workmen Compensation Reserve A/c (Dr)
To Partner’s Capital Account
Since, reserve is more than required it is distributed among partners, hence their account is credited and as the reserve decreases, it is debited.