AccountingQA Latest Questions

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  2. Ishika Pandey Curious ca aspirant
    This answer was edited.

    Definition The trial balance is a list of all the closing balances of the general ledger at the end of the year. Or in other words, I can say that it is a statement showing debit and credit balances. A trial balance is prepared on a particular date and not on a particular period. Importance As the tRead more

    Definition

    The trial balance is a list of all the closing balances of the general ledger at the end of the year. Or in other words, I can say that it is a statement showing debit and credit balances.

    A trial balance is prepared on a particular date and not on a particular period.

    Importance

    As the trial balance is prepared at the end of the year so it is important for the preparation of financial statements like balance sheet or profit and loss

    Purpose of trial balance which are as follows:

      • To verify the arithmetical accuracy of the ledger accounts
      • This means trial balance indicates that equal debits and credits have been recorded in the ledger accounts.
      • It enables one to establish whether the posting and other accounting processes have been carried out without any arithmetical errors.
      • To help in locating errors
      • There can be some errors if the trial balance is untallied therefore to get error-free financial statements trial balance is prepared.
      • To facilitates the preparation of financial statements
      • A trial balance helps us to directly prepare the financial statements and then which gives us the right to not look or no need to refer to the ledger accounts.

     

    Preparation of trial balance

      • To verify the correctness of the posting of ledger accounts in the terms of debit credit amounts periodically, a periodic trial balance may be prepared ( say ) at the end of the month or quarter, or half year.
      • There is no point in denying that a trial balance can be prepared at any time.
      • But it should at least be prepared at the end of the accounting period to verify the arithmetical accuracy of the ledger accounts before the preparation of financial statements.

     

    Methods of preparation

    • Balance method
    • Total amount methods

     

    These are two methods that you can use to prepare trail balance, now let me explain to you in detail about these methods which are as follows:-

     

    Balance method

    • The balances of all the accounts ( including cash and bank account ) are incorporated in the trial balance.
    • When ledger accounts are balanced only this method can be used.
    • This method is generally used by accountants for preparation of the financial statements.

     

    Total amount method

    • Under this method, the total amount of debit and credit items in each ledger account is incorporated into the trial balance.
    • This method can be used immediately after the completion of posting from the books of the original entry ledger.

     

    Steps to prepare a trial balance

    • First, we need to decide the method to opt for the preparation of the trial balance which is mentioned above.
    • Then once opted, collect all the balances as per the method adopted and prepare accordingly by posting the debit and credit side of the trial balance.
    • After this process arrange all the accounts in order of their nature (assets, liabilities, equity, income, and expenses ).
    • Then you have to total debit and credit balances separately.
    • After the above steps if there is any difference between the total debit and credit side balances then that is adjusted through the suspense account.

     

    A suspense account is generated when the above case arises that is trial balance did not agree after transferring the balance of all ledger accounts including cash and bank balance.

    And also errors are not located in  timely, then the trial balance is tallied by transferring the difference between the debit and credit side to an account known as a suspense account.

     

    Rules of trial balance

    When we prepare a trial balance from the given list of ledger balances, the following rules to be kept in mind that are as follows :

    • The balance of all
    • Assets accounts
    • Expenses accounts
    • Losses
    • Drawings
    • Cash and bank balances

    Are placed in the debit column of the trial balance.

    • The balances of
    • liabilities accounts
    • income accounts
    • profits
    • capital

    Are placed in the credit column of the trial balance.

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Jasmeet_Sethi
Jasmeet_SethiCurious
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DrawingsTrial Balance
  2. Manvi Pursuing ACCA
    This answer was edited.

    Drawings mean the certain sum of amount or goods withdrawn by owners from the business for personal use. The drawings account is not an asset/liability/expense/income account, it is a contra account to the owner's equity or capital account. Drawings A/c will always have a debit balance. Drawings A/cRead more

    Drawings mean the certain sum of amount or goods withdrawn by owners from the business for personal use. The drawings account is not an asset/liability/expense/income account, it is a contra account to the owner’s equity or capital account. Drawings A/c will always have a debit balance.

    Drawings A/c debit balance is contrary to the Capital A/c credit balance because any withdrawal from the business for personal use will reduce the capital.

    Effect on Trial Balance: Drawings will be shown in the debit column of the trial balance.

    Effect on Financial Statements: The owner’s drawings will affect the company’s balance sheet by decreasing the asset that is withdrawn, and a corresponding decrease in the owner’s equity or capital invested.

    Example:

    Mr.B a sole proprietor withdraws $100 each month for personal use. At the end of the year Drawings A/c had a debit balance of $1,200.

    Mr.B records drawings of $100 each month and debits drawings a/c and credits cash a/c. At the end of the year, he will transfer the balance and will debit capital a/c and credit drawings a/c by $1,200.

    He will show a balance of $1,200 ($100*12) in the trial balance in the debit column. Assuming closing capital of $50,000.

    In the financial statement, the balance of drawings a/c will be deducted from the owner’s capital because it is a contra account and this will reduce the owner’s capital for the year.

     

     

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
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  2. GautamSaxena Curious .
    This answer was edited.

    Ledger posting The process of entering all transactions from journal to ledger is called ledger posting. Each ledger account contains an individual asset, person, revenue, or expense. As we're aware the journal records all the transactions of the business. Posting to the ledger account not only helpRead more

    Ledger posting

    The process of entering all transactions from journal to ledger is called ledger posting. Each ledger account contains an individual asset, person, revenue, or expense. As we’re aware the journal records all the transactions of the business.

    Posting to the ledger account not only helps the proper maintenance of the ledger book but also helps in reflecting a permanent summary of all the journal accounts. In the end, all the accounts that are entered and operated in the ledger are closed, totaled, and balanced.

    Balancing the ledger means finding the difference between the debit and credit amounts of a particular account, it’s done on the day of closing of the accounting year. Sometimes journal entries are made and maintained monthly. Therefore, the balancing of the ledger’s date depends on the business’ closing date and the way a business maintains its books of accounts.

    Example

    Mr. Jack Sparrow decided to start a new clothing business. On 1st April 2021, He started the business with a total sum of $100,000 cash. He purchased furniture, including desks and shelves for $25,000. Mr. Sparrow then decided to start with women’s clothing and purchased a complete range of clothes from the wholesale market for $50,000. On the next day, he sold all the stock for $75,000. He also hired a worker for $5,000.

    We need to journalize these transactions and post them into the ledger account.

     

    Journal Entries

     

    Ledger Accounts

    Cash A/c

     

    Capital A/c

     

    Purchases A/c

     

    Sales A/c

     

    Salary A/c

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  2. Simerpreet Helpful CMA Inter qualified
    This answer was edited.

    Specimen of Ledger account This is the specimen of a ledger account. J.F. here represents the journal folio. A Ledger account is an account that consists of all the business transactions that take place during the current financial year. For Example, cash, bank, machinery, A/c receivable account, etRead more

    Specimen of Ledger account

    This is the specimen of a ledger account. J.F. here represents the journal folio.

    A Ledger account is an account that consists of all the business transactions that take place during the current financial year.

    For Example, cash, bank, machinery, A/c receivable account, etc.

    After the financial data is recorded in the Journal. It is then classified according to the nature of accounts viz. Asset, liability, expenses, revenue, and capital to be posted in the ledger account.

    With this head, the identification as to whether the opening balance will come under the debit side or the credit side is done.

    The table below would help to understand the concept of opening balance in the ledger.

    For further clarification of the concept let me give you a practical example.

    Suppose, a manufacturing firm Amul purchased machinery for, say, Rs 2,50,000. The installation charges were Rs 25,000 and the opening balance of machinery during the year was Rs 5,00,000.

    So as the machinery account comes under the category assets, its opening balance would come under the debit side of the ledger account.

    And as purchase and installation charges mean expenses for the firm, they would also come under the debit side of the account.

    And in case of any sale of a part of the machinery, it would be posted on the credit side of the account as the sales would generate revenue for the firm.

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
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  2. ShreyaSharma none
    This answer was edited.

    Ledger posting As we know, a business records all of its transactions in the journal. After the transactions are recorded in the journal, they are posted in the principal book called ‘Ledger’. Transferring the entries from journals to respective ledger accounts is called ledger posting or posting toRead more

    Ledger posting

    As we know, a business records all of its transactions in the journal. After the transactions are recorded in the journal, they are posted in the principal book called ‘Ledger’. Transferring the entries from journals to respective ledger accounts is called ledger posting or posting to the ledger accounts. Balancing of ledgers is carried out to find differences at the year’s end.

    Posting to the ledger account means entering information in the ledger, and respective accounts from the journal for individual records. The accounts that are credited are posted to the credit side and vice versa.

    Ledger maintenance is done at the end of an accounting period and it’s maintained to reflect a permanent summary of all the journal accounts. In the end, all the accounts that are entered and operated in the ledger are closed, totaled, and balanced. Balancing the ledger means finding the difference between the debit and credit amounts of a particular account.

    While posting to the ledger account, suppose goods were bought for cash. While passing the journal entry, we’ll be debiting the purchases a/c and crediting the cash a/c by stating it as, ‘To Cash A/c’.

    Now, this entry will be affecting both the purchases account and the cash account. In the cash account, we’ll be debiting purchases. Whereas in the purchases account, we’ll be crediting the cash. That’s how it works in the double-entry bookkeeping system of accounting.

    Example

    Mr. Tony Stark started the business with cash of $100,000 on April 1, 2021. He bought furniture for business for $15,000. He further purchased goods for $75,000.

    Now, we’ll be journalizing the transactions and posting them into the ledger accounts.

    Journal Entries

    Posting to Ledger Account

    Cash A/c

    Capital A/c

    Furniture A/c

    Purchases A/c

     

     

     

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Manvi
Manvi
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  2. Simerpreet Helpful CMA Inter qualified
    This answer was edited.

    Sales Return is shown on the debit side of the Trial Balance. Sales Return is also called Return Inward. Sales Return refers to those goods which are returned by the customer to the seller of the goods. The goods can be returned due to various reasons. For example, due to defects, quality differenceRead more

    Sales Return is shown on the debit side of the Trial Balance.

    Sales Return is also called Return Inward.

    Sales Return refers to those goods which are returned by the customer to the seller of the goods. The goods can be returned due to various reasons. For example, due to defects, quality differences, damaged products, and so on.

    In a business, sales is a form of income as it generates revenue. So, when the customer sends back those goods sold earlier, it reduces the income generated from sales and hence goes on the debit side of the trial balance as per the modern rule of accounting Debit the increases and Credit the decreases.

    For Example, Mr. Sam sold goods to Mr. John for Rs 500. Mr. John found the goods damaged and returned those goods to Mr. Sam.

    So, here Sam is the seller and John is the customer.

    The journal entry for sales return in the books of Mr. Sam will be

    Particulars Amt Amt
    Sales Return A/c 500
         To Mr John 500

    Treatment in Trial Balance

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Ayushi
AyushiCurious
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  2. ShreyaSharma none
    This answer was edited.

    Journal entries in the ledger What is a Journal Entry? Journal entry is a form of bookkeeping. All the economic or non-economic transactions in the business are recorded in the journal entries showing a company's debit or credit balances. It is a double-entry accounting method and requires at leastRead more

    Journal entries in the ledger

    What is a Journal Entry?

    Journal entry is a form of bookkeeping. All the economic or non-economic transactions in the business are recorded in the journal entries showing a company’s debit or credit balances. It is a double-entry accounting method and requires at least two accounts or more in a transaction.

    The journal entry helps to identify the transactions. We use journals to get a running list of business transactions. Each journal entry provides this specific information about a transaction:

    • Date of the transaction.
    • Accounts involved in it.
    • Payer, payee, receiver, etc.
    • Account name.
    • Debit and credit of money.

     

    General Ledger 

    After the transactions are recorded in the journal, they are posted in the principal book called ‘Ledger’. A ledger account contains information about a specific account. It contains the opening balance as well as the closing balances of an account. It summarizes the business transactions.

    Transferring the entries from journals to respective ledger accounts is called ledger posting or posting to the ledger accounts. Balancing of ledgers is carried out to find differences at the year’s end, it means finding the difference between the debit and credit amounts of a particular account.

     

    For instance,

    Suppose goods were bought for cash. While passing the journal entry, we’ll be debiting the purchases a/c and crediting the cash a/c by stating it as, ‘To Cash A/c’.

    Now, this entry will be affecting both the purchases account and the cash account. In the cash account, we’ll be debiting purchases. Whereas in the purchases account, we’ll be crediting the cash. That’s how it works in the double-entry bookkeeping system of accounting.

     

    Example

    Mr. Tony Stark started the business with cash of $100,000. He bought furniture for business for $15,000. He further purchased goods for $75,000. He hired an employee and paid him a salary of $5,000.

    Now, we’ll be journalizing the transactions and posting them into the ledger accounts.

    Journal Entries

    Recording into Ledger Account

    Cash A/c

    Capital A/c

    Furniture A/c

    Purchases A/c

    Salary A/c

    Note: The balance b/d is not applicable as this is the business’ commencement year.

     

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Jasmeet_Sethi
Jasmeet_SethiCurious
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To ascertain the debtors and creditors of the business To ascertain the financial position of the business To ascertain the profit or loss of the business To ascertain the collective effect of all ...

  2. Manvi Pursuing ACCA
    This answer was edited.

    The correct answer is 4. To ascertain the collective effect of all transactions pertaining to a particular account. The reason being is that in the ledger account all the effects are recorded for example,  how much money is spent on a particular type of expense or how much money is receivable from aRead more

    The correct answer is 4. To ascertain the collective effect of all transactions pertaining to a particular account. The reason being is that in the ledger account all the effects are recorded for example,  how much money is spent on a particular type of expense or how much money is receivable from a debtor. In ledger accounts, information can be obtained about a particular account.

    Ledger is the Principal book of accounts and also called the book of final entry. It summarises all types of accounts whether it is an Asset A/c, Liability A/c, Income A/c, or Expense A/c. The transactions recorded in the Journal/Subsidiary books are transferred to the respective ledger accounts opened.

     

    Importance of preparing ledger accounts:

    1. Ledger accounts get the ready results i.e. helps in identifying the amount payable or receivable.
    2. It is necessary for the preparation of the Trial Balance.
    3. The financial position of the business is easily available with the help of Assets A/c and Liabilities A/c.
    4. It helps in preparing various types of income statements on the basis of balances shown in ledger accounts.
    5. It can be used as a control tool as it shows balances of various accounts.
    6. It is useful for the management to forecast or plan for the future.
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Aadil
AadilCurious
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  2. Vijay Curious M.Com
    This answer was edited.

    As you know all transactions occurring in a business are recorded in the journal (book of original entry) in chronological order. After recording them in the journal, they are posted to their respective ledger accounts. Here I've explained the steps involved in posting a journal entry to the ledger.Read more

    As you know all transactions occurring in a business are recorded in the journal (book of original entry) in chronological order. After recording them in the journal, they are posted to their respective ledger accounts.

    Here I’ve explained the steps involved in posting a journal entry to the ledger.

    Posting of an account debited in the journal entry:

    Step 1: Identify the account which has to be debited in the ledger.

    Step 2: Write the date of the transaction under the ‘Date Column’ of the debit side of the ledger account.

    Step 3: Write the name of the account which has been credited in the journal entry in the ‘Particulars Column’ on the debit side of the account as “To (name of the account)”.

    Step 4: Write the page number of the journal where the entry exists in the ‘Journal Folio (JF) Column’.

    Step 5: Enter the amount in the ‘Amount Column’ on the debit side of the ledger account.

    Posting of an account credited in the journal entry:

    Step 1: Identify the account which has to be credited in the ledger.

    Step 2: Write the date of the transaction under the ‘Date Column’ of the credit side of the ledger account.

    Step 3: Write the name of the account which has been debited in the journal entry in the ‘Particulars Column’ on the credit side of the account as “By (name of the account)”.

    Step 4: Write the page number of the journal where the entry exists in the ‘Journal Folio (JF) Column’.

    Step 5: Enter the amount in the ‘Amount Column’ on the credit side of the ledger account.

    I’ll explain the process of preparing a ledger A/c with a simple transaction.

    On 1st May ABC Ltd. purchased machinery for 5,00,000. In the Journal the following entry will be made.

    Machinery A/c   5,00,000
       To Bank A/c   5,00,000
    (Being machinery purchased for 5,00,000)

    Let’s assume that this entry appears on page no. 32 of the journal. Now we will open Machinery A/c and Bank A/c in the Ledger.

    On the debit side of the Machinery A/c “To Bank A/c” will be written. In the Bank A/c “By Machinery A/c” will be written on the credit side.

    An extract of both the accounts are as follows:

    Machinery A/c

    Date Particulars J.F. Amt. Date Particulars J.F. Amt.
    May-01 To Bank A/c 32   5,00,000

     

    Bank A/c

    Date Particulars J.F. Amt. Date Particulars J.F. Amt.
    May-01 By Machinery A/c 32   5,00,000
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Radha
Radha
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  2. Vijay Curious M.Com
    This answer was edited.

    The difference between a ledger & a trial balance is as follows: Basis Ledger Trial Balance Meaning Ledger is a book/register in which all the accounts are put together. A Trial Balance is a statement showing the debit and credit balance of all the accounts to ascertain the arithmetical accuracyRead more

    The difference between a ledger & a trial balance is as follows:

    Basis Ledger Trial Balance
    Meaning Ledger is a book/register in which all the accounts are put together. A Trial Balance is a statement showing the debit and credit balance of all the accounts to ascertain the arithmetical accuracy of the books of accounts.
    Basis of preparation Journal is the basis for recording transactions in the ledger. The closing balances of different accounts in the ledger are the basis for preparing the trial balance.
    Objective It is prepared to see the net effect of various transactions affecting a particular account. It is prepared to check the arithmetical accuracy of the books of accounts.
    Format A ledger has four identical columns on the debit and credit sides: 1. Date, 2. Particulars, 3. Journal Folio, 4. Amount. A Trial Balance has five columns: 1. S.No, 2. Name of Accounts, 3. Ledger Folio, 4. Debit Balance, 5. Credit Balance.
    Stage of Recording A ledger is prepared after recording the transactions in the journal. A trial balance is prepared after posting the transactions in the ledger.
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