AccountingQA Latest Questions

Karan
Karan
In: >

  2. PriyanshiGupta Graduated, B.Com
    This answer was edited.

    The profits earned by a company are mainly divided into two parts: Dividend, and Retained Earnings The part of profit distributed to its shareholders is called a dividend. The part of the profit that the company holds for future expansion or diversification plans is called retained earnings. As theRead more

    The profits earned by a company are mainly divided into two parts:

    • Dividend, and
    • Retained Earnings

    The part of profit distributed to its shareholders is called a dividend. The part of the profit that the company holds for future expansion or diversification plans is called retained earnings.

    As the name suggests, retained earnings are the profit that is retained in the company. Retained earnings can be used for various purposes:

    • To distribute as dividends to shareholders
    • Expansion of business
    • Diversification
    • For an expected merger or acquisition

    As the profits of the company belong to shareholders, retained earnings are considered as profits re-invested in the company by the shareholders.

    The formula to calculate the cost of retained earnings is:

    (Expected dividend per share / Net proceeds) + growth rate

    • Expected dividend is the dividend an investor expects for his investment in the company’s shares based on the last year’s dividend, trends in the markets, and financial statements presented by the company.
    • Net proceeds is the market value of a share, that is, how much an investor would get if he sells his shares today.
    • Growth rate represents growth of company’s revenue, dividend from previous years in the form of a percentage.

    The expected dividend per share is divided by net proceeds or the current selling price of the share, to find out the market value of retained earnings.

    The growth rate is then added to the formula. It’s the rate at which the dividend grows in the company.

    For example:

    The net proceeds from share is Rs 100, expected dividend growth rate is 2% and expected dividend is 5.

    Cost of retained earnings

    = (Expected dividend per share / Net proceeds) + Growth rate

    = (5 / 100) + 0.02

    = 0.07 or 7%

     

    See less
    • 0
A_Team
A_Team
In: >

  2. SidharthBadlani CA Inter Student
    This answer was edited.

    Bad debts mean the money owed by customers who have gone bankrupt or the likelihood of who's ever returning the money is significantly low. Bad debt is a nominal account. A nominal account is an account that records the business transactions belonging to a certain category of income, expense, profitRead more

    Bad debts mean the money owed by customers who have gone bankrupt or the likelihood of who’s ever returning the money is significantly low. Bad debt is a nominal account.

    A nominal account is an account that records the business transactions belonging to a certain category of income, expense, profit or loss. The balances on nominal accounts are normally written off at the end of each financial year. For example, sales A/c, purchases A/c, interest income, loss from the sale of assets etc.

    Why are bad debts A/c classified as a nominal account?

    First of all, let us understand the other two types of accounts – personal accounts and real accounts.

    Personal accounts deal with the records of the business’ transactions with a particular person or entity. For example Mukesh A/c, Mahesh A/c, Reliance A/c, Suresh and Co. A/c etc.

    Real accounts deal with transactions and records related to assets. The balance in these accounts is normally carried forward from one period to another. For example “Furniture A/c “, ” Building A/c ” etc.

    Now that we have understood the basic definitions of all three types of accounts, we can discuss the reason behind the classification of bad debts as nominal accounts.

    A bad debt is a loss that the company has incurred. It may be due to bankruptcy of customers, customer fraud etc. The company isn’t going to receive that money. The bad debts are written off at the end of the year by transferring them to profit and loss A/c.

    Thus, bad debts relate to loss and are normally not carried forward from one period to another. Hence, they are classified as nominal accounts.

    Treatment of Bad Debts

    Bad debts are written off at the end of each year by debiting them to the profit and loss A/c. The amount of bad debts is reduced from the amount of debtors that the company has.

    A company may also choose to create a provision for bad debts for the balance amount of debtors that the company has after adjusting for bad debts. This provision represents a rough estimate of the amount due to debtors that the business expects to not receive. In other words, it is an estimate of customer bankruptcy that the business expects.

    Conclusion

    We can conclude that

    • There are primarily three types of accounts – real, personal and nominal.
    • Bad debts are a nominal account.
    • Bad debts is a loss that the business has incurred
    • It may be due to bankruptcy of customers, fraud etc
    • Bad debts are written off each year by transferring them to the income statement
    See less
    • 0
prashant06
prashant06
In: >

  2. Manvi Pursuing ACCA
    This answer was edited.

    Return inwards are the goods returned by the customer to the seller. The goods are returned for reasons like defects, excess delivery, and low quality. Return inwards are also known as Sales Returns. Sales returns are a contra account to sales revenue. The amount of sales returns is deducted from thRead more

    Return inwards are the goods returned by the customer to the seller. The goods are returned for reasons like defects, excess delivery, and low quality. Return inwards are also known as Sales Returns.

    Sales returns are a contra account to sales revenue. The amount of sales returns is deducted from the total sales in the Trading section of the Trading and Profit & Loss Account.

    In subsidiary books, return inwards are recorded only for those goods which are sold on credit to the customer.

    For example, On 1 August E Electronics sold 50 units of television to Hill Hotels on credit for Rs.25,000 each. Out of which 5 units were found to be defective and were returned back to E Electronics. In that accounting period, E Electronics made a total sales of Rs.20,00,000 (including the item sold to Hill Hotels).

    E Electronics in its Trading section of Trading and P&L A/c will account for a sales return of Rs.1,25,000 (Rs.25,000*5) and this amount will be deducted from the total sales. The same will be recorded in the subsidiary books as it accounts for sales made on credit.

    Extract of Profit & Loss Account:

    For a business, sales returns will either have a decrease in the sales revenue or it will increase the sales returns and allowances which is a contra account to sales revenue. An increase in sales returns will decrease gross profit.

    See less
    • 0
Anushka Lalwani
Anushka Lalwani
In: >

  2. Pooja_Parikh Aspiring Chartered Accountant
    This answer was edited.

    In a partnership firm, the partners may withdraw certain amounts from the firm for their personal use. Such amounts withdrawn by the partners are called drawings. This amount is usually deducted from their capital. The partners are required to pay an amount as interest, based on the time period forRead more

    In a partnership firm, the partners may withdraw certain amounts from the firm for their personal use. Such amounts withdrawn by the partners are called drawings. This amount is usually deducted from their capital. The partners are required to pay an amount as interest, based on the time period for which the money was withdrawn. This amount is called Interest on Drawings.

    The journal entry for interest on drawings is as follows:

    Since interest on drawings is an income to the firm, it is credited based on the rule that “increase in incomes are credited”. Since the partner has to bear the interest amount, his capital account is debited as a “ decrease in capital is debited”.

     

    FORMULAS

    The basic formula for interest on drawings is:
    Interest on drawings = Amount of Drawings x Rate/100 x No. of months/12

    1. When equal amounts of drawings are withdrawn at the beginning of every month, then
      Interest on Drawings = Total Drawings x Rate/100 x (12+1)/2
    2. When equal amounts of drawings are withdrawn at the end of every month, then the Interest on Drawings = Total Drawings x Rate/100 x (12-1)/2
    3. When the date of the drawing is not specified, it is assumed to be withdrawn evenly. Hence Interest on Drawings = Total Drawings x Rate/100 x 6/12

    The calculations in 1,2 and 3 are done so that drawings can be calculated for the average period.

     

    EXAMPLE

    Jack is a partner who withdrew $20,000 on 1st April 2020. Interest on drawings is charged at 10% per annum. If we have to calculate interest on drawings as of 31st December, then

    Interest on Drawings = 20,000 x 10/100 x 9/12 = $1,500
    (Here, interest on drawings is outstanding for 9 months, that is from April to December)

    See less
    • 0
A_Team
A_Team
In: >

  2. Saurav

    Accrual Accrual expense means the transaction that takes place in a particular period must be accounted for in that period only irrespective of the fact when such amount has been paid. An accrual of the expenditure which is not paid will be listed in the books of accounts. These accruals can be furtRead more

    Accrual

    Accrual expense means the transaction that takes place in a particular period must be accounted for in that period only irrespective of the fact when such amount has been paid.

    An accrual of the expenditure which is not paid will be listed in the books of accounts. These accruals can be further divided into two parts

     

    Accrual Expense-

    Accrual Expense means any transaction that takes place in a particular period but the amount for it will be paid on a later period.

    For example- If rent of 10,000 for the month of March was paid in April month then this rent will be accounted for in the books in March

    For example- Interest of 1,000 for the month of March of the loan amount of 10,000 paid in April then will be accounted for in the books in March

    These are the following accrued expense

    • Accrual Rent– Accrual rent means the amount for using the land of the landlord is paid at a later period than the period when it is put into use.
    • Accrual Insurance– Accrual insurance means the amount paid as a premium to the insurance company paid on a later period than the period when it is due
    • Accrual Expense- Acrrual expense means the amount for any expense paid on a later period than the period when it pertains to be paid
    • Accrual Wages- Accrual wages means the amount which is paid to employees on a later period than the period when the wages get due
    • Accrual Loan Interest– Loan Interest means the amount of interest on a loan which is paid on a later period than the period when it is due on

     

    Accrual Revenue-

    Accrual Revenue means any transaction that takes place in a particular period but the amount for it will be received in the later period.

    For example- If interest of 10,000 on bonds for the period of March is received in April months then this amount will be accounted for in March. These are the following accrued revenue

    For example- Rent of 10,000 for the month of March received in April month then this rent will be accounted for in the books in March

    • Accrual Income- Acrrual expense means the amount for any income received on a later period than the period when it pertains to be received
    • Accrual Rent– Accrual rent means the amount for using the land of the entity by the other party is received at a later period than the period when it is put into use.
    • Accrued Interest– Accrued interest means the amount of interest received on a later period than the period when it pertains to receive
    See less
    • 0
Jayesh Gupta
Jayesh GuptaCurious
In: >

  2. Ayushi Curious Pursuing CA

    External liabilities are the amounts which a business is obliged to pay to the outsiders (who are not owners of the business). Here is the list of external liabilities:- Accounts payable ( trade creditors and bills payables) Loan taken from outsiders Loan from bank Debentures Public deposits accepteRead more

    External liabilities are the amounts which a business is obliged to pay to the outsiders (who are not owners of the business).

    Here is the list of external liabilities:-

    1. Accounts payable ( trade creditors and bills payables)
    2. Loan taken from outsiders
    • Loan from bank
    • Debentures
    • Public deposits accepted
    1. Outstanding expenses
    • Outstanding salary
    • Outstanding rent
    • Outstanding tax
    1. Interest due on loans taken from outsiders

    The list is not exhaustive.

    Just for more understanding, internal liabilities are those liabilities which a business is supposed to pay back to its owners.  Such as capital balance, profit surplus etc.

    See less
    • 0
Astha
AsthaLeader
In: >

  2. GautamSaxena Curious .
    This answer was edited.

    Current Assets & Examples Current Assets are those assets that are bought by the company for a short duration and are expected to be converted into cash, consumed, or written off within one accounting year. They are also called short-term assets. These short-term assets are typically called currRead more

    Current Assets & Examples

    Current Assets are those assets that are bought by the company for a short duration and are expected to be converted into cash, consumed, or written off within one accounting year. They are also called short-term assets.

    These short-term assets are typically called current assets by the accountants and have no long-term future in the business. Current assets may be held by a company for a duration of a complete accounting year, 12 months, or maybe less. A major reason for the conversion of current assets into cash within a very short amount of time is to pay off the current liabilities.

    Examples

    Some of the major examples of current assets are – cash in hand, cash at the bank, bills receivables, sundry debtors, prepaid expenses, stock or inventory, other liquid assets, etc.

    • All of these assets are converted into cash within one accounting year.
    • Liquid assets are a part of current assets. Although they are easier to be converted into cash than current assets.
    • Current assets (along with current liabilities) help in the calculation of the current ratio. And they’re also referred to as circulating/floating assets.
    • Current assets are shown on the balance sheet (on the asset side) under the heading, current assets.

    Current assets on the balance sheet

    Balance Sheet (for the year…)

    See less
    • 0
A_Team
A_Team
In: >

  2. Pooja_Parikh Aspiring Chartered Accountant
    This answer was edited.

    When a company issues shares to shareholders at a price over the face value (at a premium), that amount is termed as securities premium. This amount is transferred to what we call the securities premium reserve. The company is required to maintain a separate reserve for securities premium. UtilizatiRead more

    When a company issues shares to shareholders at a price over the face value (at a premium), that amount is termed as securities premium. This amount is transferred to what we call the securities premium reserve. The company is required to maintain a separate reserve for securities premium.

    Utilization

    Securities premium reserve can be used for the following reasons:

    • Issue of fully paid Bonus share capital.
    • To cover preliminary expenses of a company.
    • For funding the buy-back of securities.

    Since it is not a free reserve, it can only be used for a few specific purposes. The amount received as securities premium cannot be used to transfer dividends to shareholders

    Treatment

    When a company issues shares at a premium, the securities premium reserve account is credited along with share capital as an increase in capital is credited according to the modern rule of accounting.

    For example,
    Sonly Ltd. issues 1,000 shares of $10 face value at $15. Here, the amount of premium would be $5 (15 – 10) per share. Therefore, the journal entry would show:

    Bank a/c (15 x 1,000)        Dr                                                15,000
    To Share Capital (10 x 10,000)                                                             10,000
    To Securities Premium Reserve a/c (5 x 10,000)                                   5,000

    From the above example, we can see that the company receives $15,000, but transfers $10,000 to share capital and the excess $5,000 to securities premium reserve.
    In the balance sheet, this securities premium reserve is shown under the title “Equity and Liabilities” under the head ‘‘Reserves and Surplus”.

    See less
    • 0
Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
In: >

  2. SidharthBadlani CA Inter Student
    This answer was edited.

    Accrued expenses are those expenses that have already been incurred but not paid. The business has already received the benefit of these goods or services but is yet to pay for them. For example, X Ltd took an insurance policy on 30th September 20XX. The premium is to be paid annually on 30th SeptemRead more

    Accrued expenses are those expenses that have already been incurred but not paid. The business has already received the benefit of these goods or services but is yet to pay for them.

    For example,

    • X Ltd took an insurance policy on 30th September 20XX. The premium is to be paid annually on 30th September every year for the next 20 years.
    • While preparing the financial statements for the year 20XX – 20XX+1, the business will recognize insurance premiums for the period 30th September, 20XX to 31st March 20XX+1 as an accrued expense. The premium would be actually paid on September 20XX+1.
    • As we can see, the company has already incurred the insurance premium for the period 30th September, 20XX to 31st March 20XX+1.
    • Thus, it has to recognize the same as an expense of that period only even though it will be actually paid in the next accounting period.

    Why does the concept of accrued expenses arise in accounting?

    The concept of accrued expenses arises in accounting because accounting records transactions on an accrual and not cash basis.

    Accounting on an accrual basis implies recording transactions as and when they are incurred while recording transactions on a cash basis means recording them as and when cash is actually paid for receiving those services.

    For example,

    • X Ltd ordered 5 televisions from LG. It received the delivery of all 5 televisions on 1st March, 20XX. However, it received the invoice for those televisions on 31st April, 20XX.
    • Now, the question arises as to whether while preparing the financial statements on 31st March, 20XX, X Ltd will recognize the cost of those 5 televisions as a purchase expenditure.
    • If X Ltd were recording transactions on a cash basis, they would not have recognized the cost of those 5 televisions as a purchase expenditure in the financial statements prepared on 31st March 20XX as the payment had been made in the next financial year.
    • Thus, in that case, that purchase would be recorded in the financial statements of the next year.
    • However, accounting is done on an accrual basis. As per accrual basis, as the event of purchase has occurred during the financial year ending 31st March 20XX, it must be recorded in financial statements for that period only.
    • Thus, due to the accrual basis, X Ltd will record that expenditure in the financial statements prepared on 31st March 20XX even though cash has been paid in the next financial year.

    Treatment of Accrued Expenses

    Accrued expenses are classified as current liabilities. That is because the business has a short-term obligation to pay these expenses. The other party has a legal right to receive the amount due. In other words, accrued expenses become payable in the near term.

    As current liabilities, accrued expenses are carried in the balance sheet on the liabilities side. They are also recognized in the income statement as an expense as per the concept of accrual basis of accounting.

    Conclusion

    Accrued expenses are the expenses for which the business has already received the benefit of goods or services but which are payable in an accounting period other than the one in which such benefit is received.

    As per the accrual basis of accounting, they are recognized in the year in which the expense is incurred. The expense is carried forward as a current liability until the period in which it is actually paid.

    See less
    • 0
Astha
AsthaLeader
In: >

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

    Financial analysis of a company means analyzing the previous data of the company and giving recommendations based on that whether the company will improve in the future on not. It is the process of evaluating the financial performance and stability of the company. There are various types of financiaRead more

    Financial analysis of a company means analyzing the previous data of the company and giving recommendations based on that whether the company will improve in the future on not.

    It is the process of evaluating the financial performance and stability of the company.

    There are various types of financial analysis. They are leverage, growth, cash flow, liquidity, profitability, etc.

    The main objectives of Financial analysis are

    1.Reviewing the current position: In order to know if the company is doing well, past analysis of data is required to be carried out. Regular recording of the transactions helps to understand the financial position of the company.

    For example, A company wants to generate a revenue of 2000 crores in the next 5 years. The last four years’ data shows revenue as 1100, 1300,1600, 1800 crores respectively.

    So from the above, we can say that the company is performing well and looks like it will reach the desired target in the fifth year or may perform better than the target desired.

    However, if the revenue declines, it will cause concern for the team but the team will get time to gear up and work efficiently to achieve the desired target.

    2. Ease in decision making: For Future decision-making, quarterly financials play an important role. Subsidiary books and accounts like the sales book, purchase orders, manufacturing a/c, etc. help in giving more reliable information.

    For example, If sales are increasing inconsistently in a quarter, and in the next quarter the level of sales decrease due to any reason then the management can analyze and change the strategy.

    3. Performance Comparison: It helps in comparing the performance of the business every month, quarterly, half-yearly, and yearly. Analyzing the data can help the management to compare if the company is proceeding in the right direction.

    4. Assessing the profitability: Financial statements are used to assess the profitability of the firm. The analysis is made through the accounting ratios, trend line, etc. Accounting ratios calculated for a number of years shows the trend of change of position i.e. positive, negative or static. The assessing of the trend helps the management to analyze if the company is making profits or not.

    5. Measure the solvency of the firm: Financial analysis helps to measure the short-term and long-term efficiency of the firm for the benefit of the Stakeholders.

    6. Helps the end-users: The owners are the end-users for whom the financial statements are prepared. Financial statements are the summaries that are prepared for providing various disclosures to the owners which helps them understand the statements in a better way. If the end-users arrive at the right decision with the help of financial statements that means the objective is achieved.

    7. Other objectives:

    • It helps to settle disputes among the parties.
    • It helps in the expansion decision of the firm.
    • It helps in analyzing the amount of tax to be paid.
    • It reduces the chances of fraud.
    • It provides information about resources.
    • It provides a true and fair view of financial position.
    See less
    • 0

Most Helping Users

Astha

Astha

Leader
Simerpreet

Simerpreet

Helpful
AbhishekBatabyal

AbhishekBatabyal

Helpful