A contra account is a general ledger account that is used to reduce the value of the account related to it. Basically, a contra account is the opposite of its associated account. If the associated account has a debit balance, then the contra account would have a credit balance. They are used to mainRead more
A contra account is a general ledger account that is used to reduce the value of the account related to it. Basically, a contra account is the opposite of its associated account. If the associated account has a debit balance, then the contra account would have a credit balance. They are used to maintain the historical value of the main account while all the deductions are recorded in the contra account, which when clubbed together show the net book value.
For example
if the cost of machinery was Rs. 50,000 and the company wants to preserve its original cost, then the accumulated depreciation of such machinery is recorded separately. Let’s say Rs 10,000 was the accumulated depreciation. Then such amount is recorded in the contra account named accumulated depreciation account. This makes the net value of the machinery Rs 40,000.

Types
There are various types of contra accounts such as contra asset, contra equity, contra revenue, and contra liability.
- Contra asset: these accounts have credit balances and are used to reduce the balance of an asset. Eg, Accumulated depreciation.
- Contra Liability: These accounts have debit balances and are used to reduce the balance of liabilities. Eg, discount on notes.
- Contra equity: These accounts have a credit balance and are used to reduce the number of shares outstanding which in turn reduces equity. Eg treasury stock.
- Contra revenue: These accounts have a debit balance. They reduce gross revenue which results in net revenue. Eg sales return.
Accountants make use of contra accounts instead of reducing the value of the actual account to keep the financial statements clean.
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Goodwill In Accounting Aspect, Goodwill refers to an Intangible asset that facilitates a company in making higher profits and is a result of a business’s consistent efforts over the past years which can be the business's prestige, reputation, good name, customer trust, quality service, etc. GoodwillRead more
Goodwill
In Accounting Aspect, Goodwill refers to an Intangible asset that facilitates a company in making higher profits and is a result of a business’s consistent efforts over the past years which can be the business’s prestige, reputation, good name, customer trust, quality service, etc.
Goodwill has no separate existence although the concept of goodwill comes when a company acquires another company with a willingness to pay a higher price over the fair market value of the company’s net asset in simple words the goodwill can be only realized while at the time of sale of a business.
The formula for Goodwill
Types of Goodwill
there are two types of goodwill.
1. Inherent Goodwill/Self-generated goodwill
Inherent goodwill is the internally generated goodwill that was created or generated by the business itself. it is generally generated from the good reputation of the business.
Inherent Goodwill or Self-generated goodwill is generally not shown in the books or never recognized in the books of Accounts and no journal entry for the inherent goodwill is passed.
2. Purchased Goodwill/Acquired Goodwill
At the time of acquisition of a business by another business, any amount paid over and above the net assets simply refers to the amount of Purchased Goodwill or Acquired goodwill.
A Journal entry is passed in the case of the Purchase of goodwill.
Type of Account
generally, Goodwill is considered and recorded as an Intangible asset(long-term asset) due to its physical absence like other long-term assets.
Modern rule of accounting:
as per the Modern rule of accounting, all Assets or all possessions of a business are comes under the head Asset accounts.
as Goodwill is treated as an Intangible asset it is an Asset Account.
Journal entry for purchase of goodwill as per Modern rule
Goodwill A/c Dr. – Amt
To Cash/Bank A/c – Amt
(The modern approach of accounting for the Asset account is: “Debit the increase in asset and Credit the decrease in the asset“)
The golden rule of accounting
As per the golden rule of accounting, all assets or possessions of a business other than those which are related to any person (debtor’s account) are considered Real accounts.
Such accounts don’t close by the year-end and are carried forward.
As Goodwill is an Intangible asset it is treated as a Real account as per the golden rule of accounting.
Journal entry for purchase of goodwill as per Golden rule
Goodwill A/c Dr. – Amt
To Cash/Bank A/c – Amt
(The golden rule of accounting for the Real account is: “Debit what comes in and Credit what Goes out“)
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