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AccountingQA Latest Questions

Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Depreciation & Amortization

Depreciation on car as per companies act?

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Answer
  1. Naina@123 (B.COM and CMA-Final)
    Added an answer on July 22, 2021 at 6:24 pm
    This answer was edited.

    As per the companies act 2013, the rate of depreciation for cars/vehicles and their useful life is mentioned below  They are categorized by the companies act as follows: when these car/ motor vehicles are owned with no intention to sell within the accounting period and are generally used to generateRead more

    As per the companies act 2013, the rate of depreciation for cars/vehicles and their useful life is mentioned below

     They are categorized by the companies act as follows:

    1. when these car/ motor vehicles are owned with no intention to sell within the accounting period and are generally used to generate revenue. For example, giving cars/motor vehicles on lease or hire purpose.
    2. cars/motor vehicles when used for purposes other than the business of hire. For example, a car is owned for official use.

    Car/motor vehicles are considered as fixed tangible assets. Treatment of these cars/ motor vehicles is similar to those of other fixed assets. The depreciation will be shown as an expense in the profit and loss account and also the value of these assets will be adjusted in the balance sheet.

    Explaining with a simple example:  Mars.Ltd purchased a car for Rs 10,00,000, and use it for its official purpose. Its useful life as per act is taken as 6 years and the rate of depreciation as 31.23% as per the WDV method.

    Therefore depreciation as per WDV is calculated as follows

    Cost of car = Rs 10,00,000

    Residual value = NIL

    Rate of depreciation = 31.23%

    depreciation for first-year = Rs (10,00,000 – NIL)*31.23%

    = Rs 3,12,300

    Calculated depreciation on this car will be shown in the profit and loss account as an expense and the same will be treated under the balance sheet every year. Here is the extract of profit and loss and the balance sheet for the above example.

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Bills of Exchange

Bill of exchange format 12th commerce?

Bill of Exchange
  • 1 Answer
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Answer
  1. Sandy CMA Final
    Added an answer on July 13, 2021 at 2:17 pm
    This answer was edited.

    Specimen of Bill of Exchange Important points of Bill of Exchange: Date: When a bill of exchange is drawn, the drawer has to specify the date in the top right corner. The date is important for the purpose of calculating the due date of the bill. Generally, the drawee is given three days as a grace pRead more

    Specimen of Bill of Exchange

    Important points of Bill of Exchange:

    Date: When a bill of exchange is drawn, the drawer has to specify the date in the top right corner. The date is important for the purpose of calculating the due date of the bill. Generally, the drawee is given three days as a grace period over and above the due date of maturity.

    In the above specimen, the date mentioned is 25th July 2021, so the due date will be three months + 3 days( grace period) i.e. to say  28th October 2021.

    Term: In the above, the term as agreed by the drawer and drawee is 3 months. So the maturity date will be after 3 months.

    Stamp: The Stamp is affixed in the left corner in every bill of exchange, the value of which depends upon the amount specified in the bill.

    Parties involved in Bill of Exchange:

    1. Drawer: The one who makes the bill, i.e. the creditor.
    2. Drawee: The one on whom the bill is drawn, i.e. the debtor.
    3. Payee: The one to whom the amount is to be paid is the payee.

    Sometimes, the drawer and the payee are the same people.

    For Example,

    i) A bill of exchange for Rs 10,000 is drawn by Sandy on Karan which is due after three months. Karan accepted the bill which is met at maturity and hence becomes the acceptor of the bill by putting his signature.

    Here, Sandy is the drawer and Karan is the drawee. As the payment on maturity is received by Sandy so the payee will be Sandy.

    ii) A bill of exchange for Rs 10,000 is drawn by Sandy on Karan which is due after three months. Karan accepted the bill. Thereafter Sandy endorsed the bill in favor of his creditor, Vikash. The bill is met at maturity.

    So in this case, Sandy is the drawer, Karan is the drawee and Vikash is the payee as he received the amount at maturity.

    Acceptance: Acceptance by the drawee is given on the face of the bill as-

    Meaning of BOE:

    In a business, in the case of credit sales, the payment is received after a certain period of time. In such a case the seller i.e. the creditor makes a credit note and the purchaser i.e. the debtor accepts the same by giving his acceptance by signing the instrument, to pay the amount of money mentioned to a certain person or the bearer of the instrument.

    It is generally a negotiable instrument i.e. can be transferred from one person to another.

    Features of Bill of Exchange.

    1. It is a written document.
    2. It is an unconditional order to pay.
    3. It must be signed by the maker of the bill i.e. the drawer.
    4. It must be properly stamped.
    5. The amount is payable either to a specified person or to his order or to the bearer.
    6. It contains an order to pay the amount mentioned in the instrument both in figures and words.
    7. The amount is to be paid either on the expiry of a fixed period from the date of the bill or on-demand.

     

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Accounting Terms & Basics

Explain the qualitative characteristics of accounting information?

  • 1 Answer
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Answer
  1. prashant06 B.com, CMA pursuing
    Added an answer on July 11, 2021 at 1:28 pm
    This answer was edited.

    QUALITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. COMPARABILITY: Comparison of financial statements is one of the most frequently used and effective tools of financial analysis. It helps the users of accounting information to compare, analyze and take decisions accordingly. CoRead more

    QUALITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

    1. COMPARABILITY: Comparison of financial statements is one of the most frequently used and effective tools of financial analysis. It helps the users of accounting information to compare, analyze and take decisions accordingly. Comparability enables inter-firm and intra-firm comparisons. It helps to ascertain the growth and progress of the business over time and in comparison to other businesses.

    For example, managers of ITC ltd want to know which business of his is performing well and which needs progress so they would compare the financial statement of its different businesses and make the decision accordingly.

    2. RELEVANCE: It generally means that the essential information should be easily and readily available and any irrelevant information should be avoided. The user of accounting information needs relevant accounting information for a good decision-making process, planning, and predicting future circumstances.

    For example, a firm is expected to provide the total amount owed by the debtors in the balance sheet, whereas the total number of debtors is not important.

    3. UNDERSTANDIBILITY: The financial statement should be presented so that every user can interpret the information without any difficulty in a meaningful and appropriate manner. To be more precise it should be complete, concise, clear, and organized.

    For example, mentioning note number in the financial statement for any items which needs disclosure. This helps the users of accounting to interpret the financial statement without any difficulty.

    4. RELIABILITY: This means the accounting information must be free from material error and bias. All accounting information is verifiable and can be verified from the source documents basically, information should not be vague or false.

    For example, any significant matters like amount due, damages, losses, etc. which impact the financial stability shall be mentioned as disclosure since it is useful for all the users of accounting to be aware of such facts and not to be misguided by incomplete information.

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Depreciation & Amortization

Difference between Amortization & Impairment?

AmortizationDifference BetweenImpairment
  • 1 Answer
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Answer
  1. Astha Leader Pursuing CA, BCom (Hons.)
    Added an answer on June 12, 2021 at 2:49 pm
    This answer was edited.

    Let us first understand the concepts of Amortization and Impairment. Amortization refers to the expense recorded on the decline of the value of intangible assets of a company. Intangible assets include goodwill, patents, copyrights, etc. It reflects the reduction in the value of Intangible assets ovRead more

    Let us first understand the concepts of Amortization and Impairment.

    Amortization refers to the expense recorded on the decline of the value of intangible assets of a company. Intangible assets include goodwill, patents, copyrights, etc. It reflects the reduction in the value of Intangible assets over its life span.

    Amortization is similar to Depreciation, however, while depreciation is over tangible assets amortization is over Intangible assets of the company.

    For example, Cipla Ltd. acquired a patent over a new drug for a period of 10 years. The cost of creating the new drug was 80,000 and the company must record its patent at 80,000. However, the company must amortize this cost by dividing the cost over the patent’s life, i.e., the amortization cost would be 8,000 (80,000/10) p.a. for the next 10 years.

    Impairment means a decline in the value of fixed assets due to unforeseen circumstances. Assets are impaired when the carrying value of assets increases its market value or “realizable value” and such increase is recorded as an impairment loss.

    Now suppose, Cipla Ltd. had existing machinery which suffered physical damage and is recorded at 50,000 in the books but the realizable value of the asset would only be 20,000. Hence, the asset would be written down to 20,000 and an impairment loss of 30,000 will be recorded.

    Impairment Vs Amortization

    Differences between the two can be shown as follows:

    Amortization Impairment
    Amortization is a reduction in the value of Intangible Assets over their useful life. Impairment is a reduction in the value of assets due to unforeseen circumstances.
    Amortization is a continuous process and the value of an asset reduces over time. Value of asset reduces drastically, creating a need to write down the value to its fair market value.
    Amortization is charged annually. Impairment is not an annual charge.
    Amortization is shown as an amortization expense. Impairment is shown as an impairment loss.
    Reasons for amortization includes consumption, obsolescence, etc. Reasons for impairment include damage to the asset, change in preferences, etc.
    Amortization is charged on Intangible assets Impairment is charged on fixed assets whether tangible or intangible.

    Suppose Unilever Ltd. has a patent over one of its products for a period of 5 years. The cost of the patent was 1,00,000. Then after 2 years one of its rivals, say ITC Ltd., launches a new product which is more preferred by the consumers over the one produced by Unilever Ltd. and the fair market value of the patent of Unilever Ltd. changes to 10,000.

    Now in this scenario, Unilever Ltd. would have amortized the patent (costing 1,00,000) at 20,000 (1,00,000/5) p.a. for 2 years and the book value at the end of the 2nd year is 60,000 (1,00,000 – 40,000). Now due to the new launch by ITC Ltd. the drastic change in the value of the asset from the book value of 60,000 to the realizable value of 10,000 will be recorded as an Impairment loss. Hence Impairment loss would be recorded at 50,000 (60,000 – 10,000).

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Capital & Revenue Expenses

How to know which expense is capital and which is revenue?

Capital ExpenditureRevenue Expenditure
  • 1 Answer
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Answer
  1. Astha Leader Pursuing CA, BCom (Hons.)
    Added an answer on June 8, 2021 at 2:42 pm
    This answer was edited.

    Capital Expense Capital expenses are incurred for acquiring assets including incidental expenses. Such expenses increase the revenue earning capacity of the business. These are incurred to acquire, upgrade and maintain long term assets such as buildings, machines, etc and are non-recurring in natureRead more

    Capital Expense

    Capital expenses are incurred for acquiring assets including incidental expenses. Such expenses increase the revenue earning capacity of the business. These are incurred to acquire, upgrade and maintain long term assets such as buildings, machines, etc and are non-recurring in nature.

    Revenue Expenses

    Revenue expenses are incurred to carry on operations of an entity during an accounting period. Such expenses help in maintaining the revenue earning capacity of the business and are recurring in nature.

    These include ordinary repair and maintenance costs necessary to keep an asset working without any substantial improvement that leads to an increase in the useful life of the asset.

    Suppose, company Takeaway ltd. purchases machinery for 50,000 and pays installation charges of 10,000. Salary of 15,000 is paid to the employees and existing machinery is painted costing 8,000. Here, the cost of machinery 50,000 and installation charges of 10,000 are treated as capital expenditure and the salary of 15,000 and painting cost of 8,000 is treated as revenue expenditure.

    Identification

    Points to categorize an expenditure as Capital or Revenue are as follows:

    • An expenditure that neither creates assets nor reduces liability is categorized as revenue expenditure. If it creates an asset or reduces a liability, it is categorized as capital expenditure.

    For example, a company Motors ltd. purchases furniture for 65,000, repays loans amounting to 1,00,000 and pays salary of 25,000.

    Here the company creates an asset of 65,000 and reduces liability by 1,00,000 as shown below and therefore is considered as capital expenditure.

    However, payment of salaries neither creates assets nor reduces liability. It only reduces profits and therefore is considered as revenue expenditure.

    • Usually, the amount of capital expenditure is larger than that of revenue expenditure. But it is not necessary that if the amount is small it is revenue expenditure and if the amount is large, it is a capital expenditure.

    For example, a company Stars ltd purchases machinery for 1,20,000, furniture for 35,000 and has a rental expense of 80,000.

    Here, the purchase of machinery is capital expenditure since it results in higher expense. However, the purchase of furniture cannot be regarded as a revenue expense and payment of rent cannot be regarded as a capital expense only because the rental expense is higher than the amount expended for the purchase of furniture.

    • Usually, capital expenditure is not frequent and is made at a time, in lump sum. On the other hand, revenue expenditure is paid periodically. However, it is possible that capital expenditure is paid in installments.

    For example, a company Caps ltd. purchases land for 1,00,00,000 on an equal monthly installment basis. Then such payments cannot be considered as revenue expense only because the payments are recurring. Since the installments are paid in lieu of the purchase of land which is a long term asset, the payments will be considered as capital expenditure.

    • Mostly capital expenditures are met out of capital whereas revenue expenditures are met out of revenue receipts. However, payments can be made vice-versa.
    • If an expenditure is incurred by the payer as a capital expenditure, it will remain a capital expenditure even if the amount may be revenue receipt in the hands of the payee.

    For example, a company Marks Ltd. purchases machinery directly from the manufacturer for 50,000. For the manufacturer, the proceeds from the sale of machine are revenue in nature but the amount expended by Marks Ltd. will be categorized as capital expenditure.

    Following conclusion can be inferred from the above explanation:

    *Such transactions may or may not hold true as explained above.

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Accounting Terms & Basics

What is Impairment of Assets?

Impairment
  • 1 Answer
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Answer
  1. Astha Leader Pursuing CA, BCom (Hons.)
    Added an answer on June 5, 2021 at 1:47 pm
    This answer was edited.

    What is Impairment of Assets? Impairment of assets means a decline in the value of assets due to unforeseen circumstances. Assets are impaired when the carrying value of assets increases its market value or “realizable value”. Impairment can be caused due to factors that are internal or external toRead more

    What is Impairment of Assets?

    Impairment of assets means a decline in the value of assets due to unforeseen circumstances. Assets are impaired when the carrying value of assets increases its market value or “realizable value”.

    Impairment can be caused due to factors that are internal or external to the firm. Internal factors such as physical damage, obsolescence or poor management and external factors such as a change in legal or economic circumstances, increased competition or reduction in asset’s fair value in the market result in impairment.

    Impairment Vs Depreciation

    Asset impairment is often confused with asset depreciation, which is rather a recurring and expected event, unlike impairment that reflects an abrupt decrease in the value of the asset.

    Impairment Loss

    Impairment is always treated as a loss in accounting. It is the amount by which the carrying value or the asset’s book value exceeds its fair market value.

    Before recording Impairment loss, a company must determine the recoverable value of the asset which is higher of the asset’s net realizable value or value in use. Then it is to be compared with the book value of the asset.

    If the carrying value exceeds the recoverable value then the impairment loss is to be recorded at the exceeding value i.e. difference of carrying value and realizable value.

    Example

    Suppose a company Royal Ltd. has an asset with a carrying value of 50,000, which has suffered physical damage. According to the company’s calculation, the asset has a net realizable value of 30,000 and a value in use of 25,000.

    Then, the recoverable value would be higher of the asset’s net realizable value or value in use, i.e., 30,000 which is still lower than the carrying amount of 50,000. Therefore, Royal ltd. will have to record 20,000 (50,000-30,000) as impairment loss.

    This is will increase Royal Ltd’s expenses by 20,000 and decrease the asset’s value by the same amount.

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Depreciation & Amortization

Is depreciation a cash flow?

Cash FlowDepreciation
  • 1 Answer
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Answer
  1. Astha Leader Pursuing CA, BCom (Hons.)
    Added an answer on June 2, 2021 at 12:43 pm
    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
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Miscellaneous

What are the sources of working capital?

Working Capital
  • 1 Answer
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Answer
  1. Astha Leader Pursuing CA, BCom (Hons.)
    Added an answer on May 30, 2021 at 2:18 pm
    This answer was edited.

    Let us first understand what working capital is. Working capital means the funds available for the day-to-day operations of an enterprise. It is a measure of a company’s liquidity and short term financial health. They are cash or mere cash resources of a business concern. It also represents the exceRead more

    Let us first understand what working capital is.

    Working capital means the funds available for the day-to-day operations of an enterprise. It is a measure of a company’s liquidity and short term financial health. They are cash or mere cash resources of a business concern.

    It also represents the excess of current assets, such as cash, accounts receivable and inventories, over current liabilities, such as accounts payable and bank overdraft.

    working capital formula

    Sources of Working Capital

    Any transaction that increases the amount of working capital for a company is a source of working capital.

    Suppose, Amazon sells its goods for $1,000 when the cost is only $700. Then, the difference of $300 is the source of working capital as the increase in cash is greater than the decrease in inventory.

    Sources of working capital can be classified as follows:

    short term and long term sources of working capital

    Short Term Sources

    • Trade credit: Credit given by one business firm to the other arising from credit sales. It is a spontaneous source of finance representing credit extended by the supplier of goods and services.
    • Bills/Note payable: The purchaser gives a written promise to pay the amount of bill or invoice either on-demand or at a fixed future date to the seller or the bearer of the note.
    • Accrued expenses: It refers to the services availed by the firm, but the payment for which is yet to be done. It represents an interest-free source of finance.
    • Tax/Dividend provisions: It is a provision made out of current profits to meet the tax/dividend obligation. The time gap between provision made and payment of actual payment serves as a source of short-term finance during the intermediate period.
    • Cash Credit/Overdraft: Under this arrangement, the bank specifies a pre-determined limit for borrowings. The borrower can withdraw as required up to the specified limits.
    • Public deposit: These are unsecured deposits invited by the company from the public for a period of six months to 3 years.
    • Bills discounting: It refers to an activity wherein a discounted amount is released by the bank to the seller on purchase of the bill drawn by the borrower on their customers.
    • Short term loans: These loans are granted for a period of less than a year to fulfil a short term liquidity crunch.
    • Inter-corporate loans/deposits: Organizations having surplus funds invest with other organizations for up to six months at rates higher than that of banks.
    • Commercial paper: These are short term unsecured promissory notes sold at discount and redeemed at face value. These are issued for periods ranging from 7 to 360 days.
    • Debt factoring: It is an arrangement between the firm (the client) and a financial institution (the factor) whereby the factor collects dues of his client for a certain fee. In other words, the factor purchases its client’s trade debts at a discount.

    Long Term Sources

    • Retained profits: These are profits earned by a business in a financial year and set aside for further usage and investments.
    • Share Capital: It is the money invested by the shareholders in the company via purchase of shares floated by the company in the market.
    • Long term loans: These loans are disbursed for a period greater than 1 year to the borrower in his account in cash. Interest is charged on the full amount irrespective of the amount in use. These shareholders receive annual dividends against the money invested.
    • Debentures: These are issued by companies to obtain funds from the public in form of debt. They are not backed by any collateral but carry a fixed rate of interest to be paid by the company to the debenture holders.

    Another point I would like to add is that, although depreciation is recorded in expense and fixed assets accounts and does not affect working capital, it still needs to be accounted for when calculating working capital.

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Miscellaneous

Is Land a Current Asset?

Current Assets
  • 2 Answers
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Answer
  1. Bonnie Curious MBA (Finance)
    Added an answer on June 27, 2021 at 5:34 am
    This answer was edited.

    Similarly, someone asked Are loose tools current assets

    Similarly, someone asked Are loose tools current assets

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SimerpreetHelpful
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Accounting Terms & Basics

What do you mean by Accounting concepts? What do you mean by GAAP? Explain briefly.

Explain Business entity, money measurement concept, Going concern concept etc.

Accounting ConceptsGAAP
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Answer
  1. AbhishekBatabyal Helpful Pursuing CA, BCOM (HONS)
    Added an answer on August 13, 2022 at 5:55 am
    This answer was edited.

    Accounting Concepts Accounting concepts are the rules, assumptions and methods generally accepted by accountants in the preparation and presentation of financial statements of an entity. These concepts have been developed by the accounting profession for a long period. These concepts constitute theRead more

    Accounting Concepts

    Accounting concepts are the rules, assumptions and methods generally accepted by accountants in the preparation and presentation of financial statements of an entity. These concepts have been developed by the accounting profession for a long period.

    These concepts constitute the foundation of accounting and one has to be aware of them to maintain correct and uniform financial statements.

    I have listed and briefly explained the following accounting concepts.

    1. Entity Concept 
    2. Money Measurement concept 
    3. Going on concern 
    4. Periodicity concept 
    5. Accrual concept 
    6. Cost concept 
    7. Realisation concept 
    8. Matching concept 
    9. Dual aspect concept 
    10. Conservatism concept 
    11. Materiality concept 
    12. Consistency concept

     

    #1 Entity Concept 

    As per this concept, the business and its owner are separate entities from the point of view of accounting. It means the assets and liabilities of the business and owner are not the same. 

    However, in the eyes of law, the business and its owner may be a single entity.

     

    #2 Money measurement concept

    This concept states that the transaction which can be measured in terms of money shall only be recorded in the books of accounts.

    Any transaction which cannot be measured in terms of money shall not be recorded.

    #3 Going concern concept 

    Going concern concept is also a fundamental accounting assumption. It assumes that an enterprise will continue to be in business for the foreseeable future.

    It means its accounts will also be prepared to take such assumptions that the business will continue in future.

     

    #4 Periodicity concept 

    The periodicity concept states an entity needs to carry out accounting for a definite period, generally for a year known as the accounting period. The period can also be half-year or a quarter.

    The cycle of accounting restarts at the start of every accounting period.

     

    #5 Accrual concept 

    The word accrual comes from the word

    As per the accrual concept, the expense and incomes are recorded in the books of accounts in the period in which they are expected to incur whether payment in cash is made or cash is received or not.

    For example, the salary to be paid by a business is to be recorded as an expense in the year in which it is expected or liable to be paid.

     

    #6 Cost concept 

    It is concerned with the purchase of the assets of a business. As per the cost concept, a business shall record any asset in its books at the acquisition cost or purchase cost.

     

    #7 Realisation concept 

    This concept is concerned with the sale of assets. A business shall record the sale of the assets in its books only at the realised cost.

     

    #8 Matching concept 

    As per this concept, revenue earned during a period should be matched with the expenses incurred in that period. In short, an entity needs to record the income and the expenses of the same period.

     

    #9  Dual concept 

    This concept is the foundation of double-entry accounting. Dual concepts state that every transaction has two effects, debit and credit. 

    One or more accounts may be debited and other one or more accounts are credited so that the total amount of debit and credit equals.

     

    #10 Conservatism concept 

    The conservatism concept states that an entity has to account for expected losses and expenses but not for future expected profits and gains.

     

    #11 Materiality concept 

    As per this concept, only those items which are material should be shown in the financial statements of an entity. It says that items which are immaterial or insignificant in terms of value or importance to stakeholders can be ignored.

     

    #12 Consistency concept 

    It says that an entity should follow consistent accounting policies every accounting period so that a comparison can be made among the financial statements of different accounting periods.

     

    GAAP 

    Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or GAAP is a combination of authoritative standards which are set by policy boards and commonly accepted methods of recording and presenting accounting information. 

    GAAP or US GAAP is formulated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or FASB  and almost state in the USA is compliant with GAAP. 

    The main goal of the GAAP is to ensure that the financial statements of an entity are complete, consistent and comparable.

    It can be said accounting concepts are part of GAAP.

     

    Ten key principles of GAAP

    #1 Principle of regularity

    It states that an accountant has to comply with GAAP regulations as a standard.

     

    #2 Principle of Consistency

    Accountants should be committed to applying the same set of standards throughout the accounting and reporting process, from one period to another. This is to be done to ensure comparability of financial statements between periods.  

    Also, the accountants have to fully disclose and explain the reason behind any changed or updated standards in the note of accounts of financial statements.

     

    #3 Principle of sincerity

    It states that the accountant should strive to provide an accurate and unbiased view of the financial situation of a company.

     

    #4 Principle of Permanence of Methods

    As per this principle, a company should be consistent in procedures used in financial statements so that it allows the comparison of the company’s financial information.

     

    #5 Principle of Non-Compensation

    Both negative and positive should be reported with full transparency. There should be no debt compensation i.e. debt should not be set off against any asset or expenses against revenue.

    #6 Principle of Prudence

    It states that financial data presentation should be fact-based. This principle is similar to the conservatism concept.

     

    #7 Principle of Continuity

    This is as same the going concern concept. It states that while valuing assets, it should assume that the business will continue for the foreseeable future.

     

    #8 Principle of Periodicity

    It is the same as the matching concept. It states that the revenue and expenses should be recorded in the period in which they occur.

     

    #9 Principle of Materiality

    Accountants should disclose all the financial information that is significant in the decision-making of the users of financial statements.

     

    #10 Principle of Utmost Good Faith

    It states that all parties to a transaction should act honestly and not mislead or hide crucial information from one another.

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