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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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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
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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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Ishika Pandey
Ishika PandeyCurious
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  2. SidharthBadlani CA Inter Student
    This answer was edited.

    Yes, the account receivable is a sub ledger account. It is an account that is used to record the payment history of each and every customer to whom the business has sold goods or provided services on credit. Accounts receivable represent the amount that the customers owe to the business with respectRead more

    Yes, the account receivable is a sub ledger account. It is an account that is used to record the payment history of each and every customer to whom the business has sold goods or provided services on credit.

    Accounts receivable represent the amount that the customers owe to the business with respect to the goods sold or services provided to them on credit. They are also known as trade receivable or debtors.

    The accounts receivable subledger shows various details of every transaction like the invoice number, amount due, date of payment, discount allowed etc. The subledger accounts are also known as the subsidiary accounts.

     

    Difference between general ledger and subledger accounts

    Here is a list of the major differences between sub-ledgers and the general ledger:

    • The subsidiary accounts or the sub ledger are a subset of the general ledger. In other words we can say that subsidiary accounts are a part of the general ledger.
    • The trial balance is prepared with the help of the general ledger and not with the help of subsidiary accounts.
    • The trial balance is prepared with the help of the general ledger and not with the help of subsidiary accounts.
    • The subledger accounts help us to store large volumes of data. They provide us with detailed and comprehensive analysis of each item of financial statements. On the other hand, a general ledger provides us with superficial information about every item in one place.

    Importance/ use of Subsidiary Account

    The usefulness of an accounts receivable sub ledger account lies in the fact that it provides detailed information about the money different customers owe to the business.

    For example, the general ledger account may show that the total balance of trade receivable is 1 lakh without indicating the individual amount that each customer owes to the business. The subsidiary account can help us by showing that customer A owes 50000 rupees, customer B owes 30000 rupees while customer C owes 20000 rupees.

    In short, the subsidiary accounts provide detailed information about each and every transaction. They help us to find useful information quickly and easily. They help us analyze the business policies and take corrective actions.

    Thus, we can conclude that accounts receivable is a subledger account that provides us detailed information about the various credit transactions and the amount that each customer owes to the business. It helps us analyze our credit policies and take corrective actions. It helps us identify and classify bad debts as such on

     

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Radha
Radha
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Interest on investmentTrial Balance
  2. Rahul_Jose Aspiring CA currently doing Bcom
    This answer was edited.

    Interest on Investment is to be shown on the Credit side of a Trial Balance. Interest on investment refers to the income received on investment in securities. These securities can be shares, debentures etc. of another company. When one invests in securities, they are expected to receive a return onRead more

    Interest on Investment is to be shown on the Credit side of a Trial Balance.

    Interest on investment refers to the income received on investment in securities. These securities can be shares, debentures etc. of another company. When one invests in securities, they are expected to receive a return on investment (ROI).

    Since interest on investment is an income, it is shown on the credit side of the Trial Balance. This is based on the accounting rule that all increase in incomes are credited and all increase in expenses are debited. A Trial Balance is a worksheet where the balances of all assets, expenses and drawings are shown on the debit side while the balances of all liabilities, incomes and capital are shown on the credit side.

    For example, if Jack bought Corporate Bonds of Amazon, worth $50,000 with a 10% interest on investment, then the accounting treatment for interest on investment would be

    Cash/Bank A/C Dr     5,000
    To Interest on Investment in Corporate Bonds (Amazon) 5,000

    As per the above entry, since interest on investment is credited, it will show a credit balance and hence be shown on the credit side of the Trial Balance. Interest on investment account is not to be confused with an Investment account. Investment is an asset whereas interest on investment is an income.

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
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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. What does trial balRead 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.

    What does trial balance include?

    As in each double-entry system, each account has two aspects debit and credit.

    Hence the following trial balance includes:
    • Debit or credit of the reporting period.
    • The amount which is to be debited or credited to each account.
    • The account numbers.
    • The dates of the reporting period.
    • The totaled sums of debits and credits entered during that time.

    When we prepare a trial balance from the given list of ledger balances, these need to be included which 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.

    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 sheets or profit and loss.

    The purpose of the trial balance is 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 facilitate 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.

    Structure of trial balance

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A_Team
A_Team
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  2. Ayushi Curious Pursuing CA

    In trial balance, the treatment of the general reserve is that it is presented on the credit side. A trial balance is a statement prepared to check the arithmetical accuracy of the books of accounts. It features the closing balances of all the assets, liabilities and equity of a business. General reRead more

    In trial balance, the treatment of the general reserve is that it is presented on the credit side.

    A trial balance is a statement prepared to check the arithmetical accuracy of the books of accounts. It features the closing balances of all the assets, liabilities and equity of a business.

    General reserve is a free reserve created out of revenue profits of a business to meet future needs and uncertainties. By free reserve, we mean dividends can be freely declared and distributed out of it.

    Since the general reserve is an internal liability i.e. liability to the owner or owners or the business, it has a credit balance and is hence shown on the credit side of the trial balance.

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
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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 in a specific period. Types of error in theRead 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 in a specific period.

    Types of error in the trial balance

    Now let me explain to you that what are the errors of trail balance which are as follows :
    • Error of principle
    • Compensating error
    • Transactions completely omitted
    • Error of recording
    • Error of posting
    A trial balance is not conclusive proof of the accuracy of the books of accounts since certain types of errors remain even when it tallies. They are explained below :

    Error of principle

    This error arises due to the incorrect application of the principle of accounting is not disclosed by the trial balance.

    Compensating error

    It means the group of errors committed in such a way that one mistake is compensated by another and the trial balance still agrees.

    Transaction completely omitted

    When the transaction is entirely omitted from recording in the books of account cannot be detected.

    Error of recording

    When both aspects of recording a transaction twice in the books of account take place.

    Error of posting

    Posting the correct amount on the correct side but in the wrong account is not reflected in the trial balance.

    Steps to locate errors

    Differences in the trial balance, howsoever minor they may be, must be located and rectified. The following steps are useful in locating errors are :
    • Two columns of the trial balance should be totaled again.

    • The list of sundry debtors and creditors should be checked to find out whether all balances of debtors and creditors have been correctly written in the trial balance or not.

    • It should be checked that the balances of every account including cash and bank balances ( from the cash book ) have been written in the correct column of the trial balance.

    • If the errors remain undetected, try to locate the errors by trial and error techniques such as finding an account showing a balance difference from the trial balance.

    • Ledger balances should be balanced again.

    • Check the totals of subsidiary books.

    • Check the posting of nominal accounts.

    • And at last if not possible to locate the difference in the trial balance is temporarily transferred to a suspense account.

    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 sheets or profit and loss.

    Purpose of trial balance

    • 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 facilitate 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.

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

    Let us begin with a short explanation of what opening balance is: The opening balance is the amount of funds that are bought forward from the end of one accounting period to the beginning of a new accounting period. In a firm’s account, the first entry done is of the opening balance. It can either hRead more

    Let us begin with a short explanation of what opening balance is:

    The opening balance is the amount of funds that are bought forward from the end of one accounting period to the beginning of a new accounting period.

    In a firm’s account, the first entry done is of the opening balance. It can either have a debit balance or a credit balance depending upon whether the firm has a negative or positive balance.

    Opening balance of a ledger

    Opening balance is the first entry of the ledger account at the beginning of an accounting period.

    In the case of a newly started business, there will be no closing balances and as such there will be no balances to be carried forward. In such a case, the investment and capital of the business will be entered as an opening balance for the current accounting period.

    So the first and foremost part is to identify on which side of the ledger i.e. the debit side or the credit side the opening balance is to be entered.

    For Example, A trial balance is given which represents the debit and credit balances, accordingly, I will prepare different ledger accounts to make it simpler.

    The trial balance shows the opening balance of various accounts. Now posting them in ledger accounts.

    As the Furniture is an Asset account, the opening balance will be on the debit side of the ledger account.

    As Sundry creditor is a credit account,  we put the opening balance on the credit side.

    As the Capital is a credit account,  we put the opening balance on the credit side.

    As Wages is a debit account,  we put the opening balance on the debit side.

    As the Discount received is a credit account,  we put the opening balance on the credit side.

    Exception

    Drawing Account.

    Drawing account is an exception to this topic. It is considered a contra account to the owner’s capital account because it reduces the value of the owner’s equity. Drawings, therefore, have no opening balance.

    Contra Entry.

    Contra entry involves transactions of cash and bank. Any entry which involves both the cash and bank is contra entry.

    For example, we deposit cash 5000 into the bank.

    Accounting entry for this transaction would be

    In this case, the ledger entry would be

    As the bank account has a debit balance, the opening balance would come on the debit side.

    As the cash account has a credit balance, the opening balance would come on the credit side.

    Alternatively, If we withdraw cash 5000 from the bank.

    Accounting entry would be

    In this case, the ledger entry would be

    As the Cash account has a debit balance, the opening balance would come on the debit side.

    As the Bank account has a credit balance, the opening balance would come on the credit side.

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