AccountingQA Latest Questions

Sandy
Sandy
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Depreciation
  2. Nistha Pursuing B.COM H (B&F) and CMA
    This answer was edited.

    Depreciation refers to that portion of the value of an asset that is written off over the useful life of the asset due to wear and tear. Now, when we talk about depreciation, there are multiple methods to calculate depreciation such as: Straight Line Depreciation Method Diminishing Balance Method OrRead more

    Depreciation refers to that portion of the value of an asset that is written off over the useful life of the asset due to wear and tear.

    Now, when we talk about depreciation, there are multiple methods to calculate depreciation such as:

    • Straight Line Depreciation Method
    • Diminishing Balance Method Or Written Down Value Method
    • Sum of Years’ Digits Method
    • Double Declining Balance Method
    • Sinking Fund Method
    • Annuity Method
    • Insurance Policy Method
    • Discounted Cash Flow Method
    • Use Based Methods
      • Output Method
      • Working Hours Method
      • Mileage Method
    • Other Methods
      • Depletion Method
      • Revaluation Method
      • Group or Composite Method

    The most commonly used methods are discussed below:

    1. Straight Line Depreciation Method: This is the simplest method for calculating depreciation where a fixed amount of depreciation is charged over the useful life of the asset.

    Formula:

    Suppose a company Bear Ltd purchases machinery costing 8,00,000 with useful life of 10 years and salvage value 1,00,000. Then depreciation charged to the machinery each year would be:

    Depreciation = (8,00,000 – 1,00,000)/10 = 7,00,000/10 = 7,000 p.a.

    2. Diminishing Balance Method Or Written Down Value Method: Under this method, a fixed rate of depreciation is charged every year on the opening balance of the asset which is the difference between the previous year’s opening balance and the previous year’s depreciation. Here the book value of asset reduces every year and so does the depreciation amount.

    Formula:

    Suppose a company Moon ltd purchases a building for 50,00,000 with a useful life of 5 years and decides to depreciate it @ 10% p.a. on Diminishing Balance Method. Then depreciation charged to the machinery would be:

    3. Sum of Years’ Digits Method: In this method, the life of asset is divided by the sum of years and multiplied by the cost of the asset to determine the depreciating expense. This method allocates higher depreciation expense in the early years of the life of the asset and lower depreciation expense in the latter years.

    Formula:

    Suppose a company Caps Ltd purchases machinery costing 9,00,000 having a useful life of 5 years. Then the depreciation cost would be:

    4. Double Declining Balance method: This method is a mixture of straight-line method and diminishing balance method. A fixed rate of depreciation is charged on the reduced value of the asset at the beginning of the year. This rate is double the rate charged under straight-line method.

    Formula:

    Suppose a company Paper Ltd purchases machinery for 1,00,000 with an estimated useful life of 8 years. Then the depreciation rate would be:

    Straight line = 100%/8 = 12.5%

    Double declining method = 2*12.5% = 25%

    5. Sinking Fund Method: Under this method, the amount of depreciation keeps on accumulating till the asset is completely worn out. Depreciation is the same every year. Profits equal to the amount of depreciation is invested each year outside the company. At the time of replacement of the asset the investments and sold and the proceeds thereof are used to purchase the new asset.

    6. Annuity Method: This method calculates depreciation by calculating its internal rate of return (IRR). Depreciation is calculated by multiplying the IRR with an initial book value of the asset, and the result is subtracted from the cash flow for the period.

    7. Use Based Methods: Depreciation, under these methods, is based on the total estimated machine hours or total estimated units produced during the life of the machine. It is calculated by dividing the cost of the machine by the estimated total machine hours or estimated lifetime production in units and multiplying by the units produced or machine hours worked.

    Formula:

    Suppose a company Box Ltd purchases machinery for 25,000 (estimated life 5 years) whose estimated life production is 5,000 units. If it produces 700 units in the first year of operation then depreciation cost would be:

    Depreciation = 25,000/5,000*700 = 3,500

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Nistha
Nistha
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Accounting PoliciesAccounting PrinciplesDifference Between
  2. Sandy CMA Final
    This answer was edited.

    To begin with, let me give you a brief explanation of both the terms i.e. Accounting policies and accounting principles- In order to maintain the financial statements, the company’s management adopts various Accounting Policies of its own. This generally includes the rules, the directions as to howRead more

    To begin with, let me give you a brief explanation of both the terms i.e. Accounting policies and accounting principles-

    In order to maintain the financial statements, the company’s management adopts various Accounting Policies of its own. This generally includes the rules, the directions as to how the financial statements will be prepared or how the valuation of depreciation would be done, and so on. These are flexible in nature and vary from company to company.

    For Example 1, Johnson Co. uses FIFO (first in first out) method to value the inventory. That is to say that, while selling its product, it sells those goods or products which it has acquired or produced first.

    It does not consider the LIFO or weighted average cost. The other company may adopt the other method as per its wish.

    Example 2, Johnson Co. uses the straight-line method of depreciating an asset, whereas the other company can opt for a written down value method depending upon the need of the company.

    So what I am trying to explain from this is that the accounting policies are flexible and can be adopted as per the needs of the company.

    Accounting Principles are the rules which the accountants adopt universally for recording and reporting the financial data. It brings uniformity in accounting throughout the practice of accounting. These are generally less flexible in nature.

    For Example, “Cost” is a principle. According to this accounting principle, an asset is recorded in the books at the price paid to acquire it and this cost will be the basis for all the subsequent accounting for the asset.  However, asset market value may change over time, but for the accounting purpose, it continues to be shown at its book value i.e. at which it is acquired.

    Some more examples would be of Matching principle, Consistency principle, Money measurement principle, etc.

    Differences

    Conclusion

    The point is Accounting Principles are the broad direction to reach a goal and to reach that goal helps the accounting policies.

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Astha
AsthaLeader
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Balance SheetMiscellaneous Expenditure
  2. Simerpreet Helpful CMA Inter qualified
    This answer was edited.

    Miscellaneous expenditure in the balance sheet The expenses that are written off in the current financial year are shown on the debit side of the profit and loss account. However, those that are not written off during the current financial year are shown in the balance sheet on the Assets Side as MiRead more

    Miscellaneous expenditure in the balance sheet

    The expenses that are written off in the current financial year are shown on the debit side of the profit and loss account. However, those that are not written off during the current financial year are shown in the balance sheet on the Assets Side as Miscellaneous expenditure.

    Miscellaneous expenditure are those expenses that are not categorized as Operating expenses i.e. these are not classified as manufacturing, selling, and administrative expenses.

    For example, BlackRock has spent 5,00,000 which will be written of in 5 consecutive years as an Advertisement expense. During the current financial year, only 1,00,000 will be written off and the rest will be carried to the next year and year thereafter.

    Treatment in the first year:

    • 1,00,000 which is written off during the current financial year will be shown on the debit side of the Profit and Loss account.
    • 4,00,000 which is carried forward will be shown on the assets side of the balance sheet as miscellaneous expenditure because all assets and expenses have a debit balance.

    Treatment in the second year:

    • 1,00,000 which is written off during the current financial year will be shown on the debit side of the Profit and Loss account.
    • 4,00,000 which is carried forward will be shown in the assets side of the balance sheet as a miscellaneous expenditure.

    The same will be done in the third, fourth, and fifth years.

    Conclusion

    Deferred revenue expenditure is also a long-term expenditure the benefit of which cannot be derived within the same year. So the amount that is written off during the current year is shown on the debit side of the profit and loss account and the amount which is not written off during the current financial year is shown on the assets side under the head Miscellaneous expenditure.

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Sandy
Sandy
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InterestInterest Received in AdvanceJournal Entry
  2. Nistha Pursuing B.COM H (B&F) and CMA
    This answer was edited.

    Classified under advance income, Interest received in advance is unearned income that pertains to the following accounting period but is received in the current period. Such interest is not related to the current accounting period and the related benefits for such income are yet to be provided. HencRead more

    Classified under advance income, Interest received in advance is unearned income that pertains to the following accounting period but is received in the current period. Such interest is not related to the current accounting period and the related benefits for such income are yet to be provided. Hence, it is a liability for the concern.

    The treatment of such advance interest is based on the Accrual concept of accounting.

    The journal entry for interest received in advance is:

    Now suppose, a firm Star shine receives interest on loan of 5,00,000 @ 7% p.a. extended to another firm. In the current accounting period, Star shine receives 50,000 as interest, excess being advance for the following year. Then the following journal entries should be passed:

       

    Cash received in form of interest is debited (Debit what comes in) and interest account is credited because of an increase in interest income (credit all incomes and gains).

    Interest account is debited because we have to decrease the interest income since 15,000 relates to the next accounting year. Interest received in advance is credited because such interest of 15,000 is not yet earned and is a liability for the concern.

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Sandy
Sandy
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Fictitious AssetsFinancial Statements
  2. Nistha Pursuing B.COM H (B&F) and CMA
    This answer was edited.

    Fictitious assets can be defined as those fake assets which save revenue for the company. These do not exist physically but also do not qualify as intangible assets. These are merely the expenses or losses that are not fully written off in the accounting period in which they are incurred. These expeRead more

    Fictitious assets can be defined as those fake assets which save revenue for the company. These do not exist physically but also do not qualify as intangible assets. These are merely the expenses or losses that are not fully written off in the accounting period in which they are incurred. These expenses are amortized over a period of time.

    These assets do not have any realizable value except for the cash outflow. These are created to delay the recognition of the expense and defer it to future periods.

    Fictitious assets actually qualify as an expense but are treated as assets only for the fact that they are expected to give returns over a course of more than one year. Examples are Advertisement expenses, preliminary expense, etc.

    Treatment

    Fictitious assets are shown on the assets side of the balance sheet under the head miscellaneous expenditure. A part of these expenses are shown in the profit and loss statement and the remaining amount is carried forward to the following years.

    For example, a company Timber Ltd. incurs expenses relating to advertisement of its products worth 8,000,000 and this advertisement campaign can earn revenue for the company for around 10 years. Hence, such expense of 8,000,000 would be amortized over a period of 10 years.

    For the first year, an amount of 800,000 (8,000,000/10) would appear in the profit and loss statement as expense and the rest 7,200,000 would appear as advertisement expense under the Miscellaneous expenditure on the assets side of the balance sheet.

    For the second year, an amount of 800,000 (8,000,000/10) would appear in the profit and loss statement as expense and the rest 6,400,000 would appear as advertisement expense under the Miscellaneous expenditure on the assets side of the balance sheet. And so on.

    We can say that fictitious assets are deferred revenue expenditures as well as intangible assets. But goodwill, etc are not fictitious assets. Hence, all fictitious assets are intangible assets but all intangible assets are not fictitious assets.

    Common fictitious assets that could generally be seen are:

    • Advertisement expenses
    • Preliminary expenses
    • Discount allowed on the issue of shares
    • Loss incurred on issue of debentures
    • Underwriting Commission
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Nistha
Nistha
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Journal EntrySubscriptionSubscription Received in Advance
  2. Sandy CMA Final
    This answer was edited.

    To start with let me give you a brief explanation of what a subscription is After joining a not-for-profit organization, a member is required to pay a certain amount of money every year at periodical intervals in order to keep his membership activated, such an amount of money is the subscription. FoRead more

    To start with let me give you a brief explanation of what a subscription is

    After joining a not-for-profit organization, a member is required to pay a certain amount of money every year at periodical intervals in order to keep his membership activated, such an amount of money is the subscription.

    For accounting purposes, subscription is always taken on an accrual basis which means the amount which is received during the current year is only taken into consideration.

    Now, Subscription received in advance means the amount of money that has been received during the current year but which relates to the year that is yet to come. In other words, we can say it is the unearned income by the organization.

    It is recurring in nature and liability for the organization as it does not relate to the current year.

    Journal Entry for Subscription received in advance

    Here, the Subscription received in advance is credited to the Subscription account for the current year.

    This is the adjustment entry made during the current year.

    Treatment of Subscription in Financial Statements

    • Receipts and payment account.
    • Income and expenditure account.
    • Balance sheet.

    Receipts and Payment account: In the receipts and payment account, the entire amount of subscription is written on the receipts side. That is to say, subscription amount relating to the previous year, current year, and the year to come (outstanding subscription, current year subscription, advance subscription).

    Income and Expenditure account: In the Income and Expenditure Account, the subscription comes on the Income side. It is shown as

    Here, a subscription received in advance in the current year is deducted to find the actual amount because although the money is received in advance the benefits related to it are yet to be provided by the organization.

    Balance sheet: In the balance sheet, a subscription received in advance comes in the liability side under current liabilities as the benefits related to it are yet to be derived.

    For Example, Lionel club received subscription from its members for the year 2020 as follows-

    • Subscription of 2020 was received in 2019 – 2,000
    • Subscription of 2021 was received in 2020 – 3,000

    The total subscription was received during the year – 10,000

    Here,

    Subscription of 2020 was received in 2019- It is an Outstanding Subscription.

    Subscription of 2021 was received in 2020- It is an advance Subscription.

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Nistha
Nistha
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Journal EntryRentRent Received in Advance
  2. Simerpreet Helpful CMA Inter qualified
    This answer was edited.

    Before starting with the main discussion, let me give you a brief explanation of what rent received is When a business or an organization rents out its unused property to earn some extra income and receive some amount from it, that amount of money is said to be rent received. Rent can be monthly, quRead more

    Before starting with the main discussion, let me give you a brief explanation of what rent received is

    When a business or an organization rents out its unused property to earn some extra income and receive some amount from it, that amount of money is said to be rent received.

    Rent can be monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly rent depending upon the organization’s agreement.

    The journal entry for rent received will be

    Here, Cash account is debited due to the increase in assets or because of a real account. Rent account is credited due to the increase in income or because of the nominal account.

    However, Rent received in advance means the amount of rent that is not yet due but is received in advance. It is treated as a current liability because the benefit related is yet to be provided to the tenant.

    The Journal entry for Rent received in advance will be-

    Here, rent is debited due to a decrease in income.

    Rent received in Advance is credited due to an increase in liability.

    For Example, Johnson company rented out a part of its building that was not used to earn some extra income from it. The monthly rent was fixed as 20000. Johnson company follows calendar year as their accounting year. The tenant, therefore, paid 4 months advance rent to Johnson company i.e. the tenant in January gave his advance rent for February, March, April, and May.

    While receiving the rent in the month of January. The journal entry would be

    Now, the adjustment entry of rent received in advance would be

    The rent received in advance will also be posted individually in each month of February, March, April, and May as

    Furthermore, Rent received in advance is deducted from the amount of rent in the income and expenditure account and thereafter the amount received in advance is posted on the liability side of the Balance sheet.

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Bonnie
BonnieCurious
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  2. Astha Leader Pursuing CA, BCom (Hons.)
    This answer was edited.

    There are two types of ledger accounts in the accounting system – temporary and permanent. Temporary accounts are those whose balances zero out and we do not carry forward balances to the next year. Examples are revenue and expenses accounts or nominal accounts. The balances of such accounts are traRead more

    There are two types of ledger accounts in the accounting system – temporary and permanent.

    Temporary accounts are those whose balances zero out and we do not carry forward balances to the next year. Examples are revenue and expenses accounts or nominal accounts. The balances of such accounts are transferred to the profit and loss account and therefore are not balanced.

    Permanent accounts are those whose balances are carried forward to the next accounting year in form of opening balances. These accounts are balanced and such balances are transferred to the balance sheet. Examples are assets, liability and capital accounts or personal and real accounts.

    Balancing an account means equaling both the debit and the credit side of the account. Generally, there is a difference between the accounts recorded as a carry down balance in the case of permanent accounts and as a transfer balance in the case of temporary accounts.

    Balancing serves as a check to the double-entry rule of accounting.

    Balanced accounts

    As discussed above, the balanced accounts are shown in the balance sheet and the balancing figure for such accounts are carried forward to the next accounting period.

    Unbalanced accounts

    As per the above discussion, the balancing figures of unbalanced accounts are transferred to the profit and loss account and no balances are carried forward to the next accounting period.

    Suppose a company Shine Ltd. has machinery costing 5,00,000 at the beginning of the accounting period and charges depreciation of 10% on the asset. The company also has creditors amounting to 50,000 at the beginning of the period and purchases goods amounting to 30,000 on credit. It has a cash balance of 95,000 at the beginning of the period and earns interest amounting to 10,000.

    Following ledgers would be prepared to record the above entries:

    The above ledgers can be shown as follows:

    The balance of the machinery account will be shown in the balance sheet and therefore it is a balanced account.

    The balance is transferred to the profit and loss account and therefore depreciation account is an unbalanced account.

    The balance of creditors account will be shown in the balance sheet and therefore it is a balanced account.

    The balance is transferred to the profit and loss account and therefore purchases account is an unbalanced account.

    The balance of the cash account will be shown in the balance sheet and therefore it is a balanced account.

    The balance is transferred to the profit and loss account and therefore interest account is an unbalanced account.

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Bonnie
BonnieCurious
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Compound EntryLedger
  2. Simerpreet Helpful CMA Inter qualified
    This answer was edited.

    When in a single transaction two or more accounts are involved, such kinds of transactions are termed as Compound entries. Example 1, Johnson Co. purchased goods worth 5,000, and half of the amount was paid in cash and the other half by cheque. So here three accounts are involved: Purchase account-Read more

    When in a single transaction two or more accounts are involved, such kinds of transactions are termed as Compound entries.

    Example 1, Johnson Co. purchased goods worth 5,000, and half of the amount was paid in cash and the other half by cheque.

    So here three accounts are involved:

    Purchase account- That is to be debited.

    Cash account- That is to be credited.

    Bank account- That is to be credited.

    Journal entry:

    Now posting the above journal entry in a ledger account.

    In the Journal, the Purchase account has been debited. So in the ledger, the purchase account will also be debited. Since the purchase account is debited in the ledger, the corresponding two credit accounts of this entry i.e. the cash and the bank will be written on the debit side in the particulars column. So while posting, the amount to be considered would be the amount individually paid in cash and bank as shown in the journal entry.

    Cash a/c is credited with the purchase account.  In the ledger, purchase a/c will be posted on the credit side. So while posting, the amount to be considered would be the amount individually paid in cash.

    Bank a/c is credited with the purchase account. In the ledger, purchase a/c will be posted on the credit side. So while posting, the amount to be considered would be the amount individually paid in Bank a/c.

    Example 2,  Johnson Co purchased goods and made payment in cash 2,000. Along with it, it also paid commission and interest of 1,000 and 500 respectively.

    So here four accounts are involved:

    Purchase account- That is to be debited.

    The commission allowed account- That is to be debited.

    Interest allowed account- That is to be debited.

    Cash account- That is to be credited.

    Journal Entry:

    Now posting the above journal entry in a ledger account.

    In the journal entry, the cash account has been credited. So in the ledger, the cash account will also be credited. Since the cash account is credited in the ledger, the corresponding three accounts will also be credited in the particulars column. As in the journal entry the three debit accounts viz. Purchase, the commission allowed, and interest allowed, the amounts written against them shall be entered in the respective accounts in the amount column on the credit side of the cash account.

    Purchase a/c is debited with a cash account.  In the ledger, Cash a/c will be posted on the debit side. So while posting, the amount to be considered would be the amount individually paid in the Purchase account.

    The commission allowed a/c is debited with a cash account.  In the ledger, cash a/c will be posted on the debit side. So while posting, the amount to be considered would be the amount individually paid in Commission allowed a/c.

    Interest allowed a/c is debited with a cash account.  In the ledger, cash a/c will be posted on the debit side. So while posting, the amount to be considered would be the amount individually paid in Interest allowed a/c.

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
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AmortizationDifference BetweenImpairment
  2. Astha Leader Pursuing CA, BCom (Hons.)
    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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