AccountingQA Latest Questions

Bonnie
BonnieCurious
In: >

  2. Ayushi Curious Pursuing CA

    ‘Reserve and surplus’ is a heading under ‘Equities and Liabilities’ in which various reserves and surplus of profit of an enterprise appear. Reserve are the amount set aside to meet with uncertainties of the future. They have credit balance as they are internal liabilities of an enterprise. While ‘sRead more

    ‘Reserve and surplus’ is a heading under ‘Equities and Liabilities’ in which various reserves and surplus of profit of an enterprise appear. Reserve are the amount set aside to meet with uncertainties of the future. They have credit balance as they are internal liabilities of an enterprise. While ‘surplus’ generally means the surplus amount in the profit and loss A/c or the operating surplus in case of a non-profit organisation, reserves are of many types:

    1. Revenue reserve
    2. Specific reserves
    • Reserves created from shareholder’s contribution
    1. Capital reserve
    2. Secret reserves

    Let’s discuss each of the above:

    1. Revenue reserves:

    Revenue reserve has two different definitions.

    First – Revenue reserves are the reserves that are created out of the profit made by an enterprise in the ordinary course of business. As per this definition, the examples of revenue reserves are:

    • General reserve: There is no restriction on the purpose for which this reserve can be used. It is a free reserve. Generally, this reserve is used to pay dividends.
    • Debenture Redemption Reserve: This reserve is mandatory to be created by law. The purpose is to ensure the timely redemption of debentures.
    • Dividend Equalisation Reserve: This reserve is created to maintain a steady rate of dividend every year even if the enterprise reports loss in any financial year.
    • Capital Redemption Reserve: This reserve can be solely used to issue bonus shares to fill the void created in total capital by redemption of preference shares.
    • Workmen Compensation Reserve: This reserve is created to pay for uncertain compensation that an enterprise may be liable to pay to its employees.
    • Investment Fluctuation Reserve: This reserve is created out of the profit of

     

       Second: Revenue reserve is a reserve from which can be used to any use. It can be the payment of dividends, creation of other reserves or reinvestment in the business. It is another name for general reserve.

    1. Specific reserves

    These are the reserves that are restricted to specific purposes only. These reserves are not free reserves i.e. dividends cannot be declared out of these reserves. However, if in case such reserve is not a statutory reserve, an enterprise can very well use such reserves for other purposes too. Specific reserves can be further classified into two types:

    • Statutory specific reserves: These are reserves that are mandatory to be created to comply with legal provisions applicable to an enterprise. Use of such reserves is restricted to some specific purposes.

    If such reserves are not created whenever applicable or if the amount in such reserves is used for a purpose other than the purpose for which it is created, the enterprise can invite face legal consequences. The examples of statutory reserves are as follows:

    • Capital Redemption Reserve
    • Debenture Redemption Reserve
    • Securities Premium Reserve
    • Non – Statutory specific reserves: It is not mandatory to create such reserves. They are created to meet with specific uncertainties of the future.
    • Workmen Compensation Reserve
    • Investment Fluctuation Reserve

    Important Note: Statutory reserve in the context of insurance companies means the minimum amount of cash and marketable securities to be set aside to comply with legal requirements.

    • Reserves created from shareholder’s contribution

    This is a reserve that is created out of a shareholder’s contribution. Securities premium reserve is the only such reserve that is created out of such shareholder’s contribution.

     

    Securities Premium Reserve: It is a reserve that is created when securities of a company such as shares or debentures are issued at a premium. The share or debenture premium money is created for this reserve. The purposes of which this reserve may be used as per section 52 of the Companies Act, 2013 are as follows:

    • For the issue of fully paid bonus shares.
    • For meeting preliminary expenses incurred by the company
    • For meeting the expense, commission or discount allowed on the issue of securities of the company.
    • In providing premium payable on the redemption of preference shares.
    • For the purchase of its own shares or other securities under section 68.
    1. Capital Reserve:

    Capital reserve is a reserve that is created out of the profit made by an enterprise from its non-operating activities like

    • selling of capital assets(fixed assets) at a profit
    • buying a business at profit (where net assets acquired is more than the purchase consideration)

    This reserve is used to finance long term projects of a company like buying or construction of fixed assets, writing off capital losses( selling of fixed assets at loss).

    1. Secret Reserve:

    A secret reserve is a reserve that exists but its existence is not shown in the balance sheet of an enterprise. An enterprise creates such reserves to hide from its competitor that it is in a better financial position than it appears in its balance sheet. Although the creation of secret reserves is prohibited by law, there are provisions for banking companies to create such reserves.

    See less
    • 0
Rahul_Jose
Rahul_Jose
In: >

  2. Radhika
    This answer was edited.

    An asset is a resource in the name of the company or controlled by the company that holds economic value and will provide it future benefits. A company invests in various kinds of assets for manufacturing purposes and investment purposes as well. Some examples of assets are: Plant and Machinery InveRead more

    An asset is a resource in the name of the company or controlled by the company that holds economic value and will provide it future benefits.

    A company invests in various kinds of assets for manufacturing purposes and investment purposes as well. Some examples of assets are:

    • Plant and Machinery
    • Investments
    • Inventory
    • Cash and Cash Equivalents, etc.

    Assets can be broadly divided into two categories based on their physical existence:

    • Tangible Assets
    • Intangible Assets

    Tangible Assets can be further divided into two categories based on their life and role in the operating cycle:

    • Non-Current Assets
    • Current Assets

    Since the company derives benefit from the asset, an asset account is debit in nature. If an asset account has a credit balance, it would fundamentally make it a liability. However, there are certain exceptions to it.

    In the case of Bank Overdraft, which means a company withdraws more from the bank than it has deposited in its account, Bank Account can also be shown having a credit balance.

    Contra Assets Accounts are the accounts that are contrary to the basic nature of an assets account, that is it is contrary to the debit nature of the assets account and hence are credit in nature.

    Examples of Contra Assets Account are:

    Accumulated Depreciation Account which is essentially Plant Assets Account also has a credit balance as it is used to depreciate the asset, or in other words, reduce the value of the assets, hence it also has a credit balance.

    When there are balances in the Account Receivables Account that are not paid to the company or have a very low probability of being paid, they are recorded in a separate account called Bad Debts Account, which is also credit in nature.

     

     

     

    See less
    • 0
Bonnie
BonnieCurious
In: >

Debited to P&L A/C Credited to P&L A/C Debited to Capital A/C None

  2. GautamSaxena Curious .
    This answer was edited.

    Interest on Drawings  Interest on drawings is debited to the capital account. As Interest on drawings is charged on the drawings made by partners/proprietors from their respective capital accounts in a partnership firm or proprietary concern. Drawings refer to the amount withdrawn by an owner or parRead more

    Interest on Drawings 

    Interest on drawings is debited to the capital account.

    As Interest on drawings is charged on the drawings made by partners/proprietors from their respective capital accounts in a partnership firm or proprietary concern.

    Drawings refer to the amount withdrawn by an owner or partner for his personal use. Thereby, interest on drawings is an income of a firm payable by the owner hence, it’s deducted/debited.

    The Profit and Loss Account, on the other hand, shows the income and expenses of a business incurred over an accounting period. Accounts like interest on drawings and capital are not shown in the P&L a/c because they are internal transactions and P&L a/c focuses only on the financial statement that summarizes the revenues, costs, and expenses incurred during a specified period.

     

    Partners’ Capital A/c

     

    See less
    • 0
A_Team
A_Team
In: >

  2. GautamSaxena Curious .
    This answer was edited.

    Fixed Working Capital Permanent working capital is also known as fixed working capital. Working capital is the excess of the current assets over the current liability and further, it is classified on the basis of periodicity, into two categories, permanent working capital, and variable working capitRead more

    Fixed Working Capital

    Permanent working capital is also known as fixed working capital.

    Working capital is the excess of the current assets over the current liability and further, it is classified on the basis of periodicity, into two categories, permanent working capital, and variable working capital.

    Permanent working capital means the part of working capital that is permanently locked up in current assets to carry business smoothly and effortlessly. Thus, it’s also known as fixed working capital.

    The minimum amount of current assets which is required to conduct a business smoothly during the year is called permanent working capital. The amount of permanent working capital depends upon the nature, growth, and size of the business.

    Fixed working capital can further be divided into two categories:

    • Regular working capital: It is the minimum amount of capital required by a business to fund its day-to-day operations of a business. E.g. payment of wages, salary, overhead expenses, etc.
    • Reserve margin working capital: Apart from day-to-day activities, additional working capital may also be required for contingencies that may arise at any time like strike, business depression, etc.

     

    Whereas, on the other hand, variable working capital, also known as temporary working capital refers to the level of working capital that is temporary and keeps fluctuating.

     

    See less
    • 0
A_Team
A_Team
In: >

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

    Definition Current assets are defined as cash and other assets that are expected to be converted into cash or consumed in the production of goods or rendering of services in the normal course of business. Or in other words, we can say that the expected realization period is less than the operating cRead more

    Definition

    Current assets are defined as cash and other assets that are expected to be converted into cash or consumed in the production of goods or rendering of services in the normal course of business.

    Or in other words, we can say that the expected realization period is less than the operating cycle period although it is more than the period of 12 months from the date of the balance sheet.

    For example, goods are purchased with the purpose to resell and earn a profit, debtors exist to convert them into cash i.e., receive the amount from them, bills receivable exist again for receiving cash against it, etc.

     

    List of current assets

    The list of current assets is as follows:-

    • Cash in hand
    • Cash equivalents
    • Bills receivables
    • Sundry debtors
    • Prepaid expenses
    • Accrued income
    • Closing stock
    • Short-term investments ( marketable securities )
    • Other liquid assets

     

    Now here are a few definitions for the above list of current assets which are as follows:-

    • Cash in hand

    Cash comprises cash on hand and demand deposits with banks.

     

    • Cash equivalents

    Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

     

    • Bills receivables

    It means a bill of exchange accepted by the debtor, the amount of which will be received on the specific date.

     

    • Sundry debtors

    A debtor is a person or entity who owes an amount to an enterprise against credit sales of goods and/or services rendered.

     

    • Prepaid expenses

    Expense that has been paid in advance and benefit of which will be available in the following years or year.

     

    • Accrued income

    Income that has been earned in the accounting period but in respect of which no enforceable claim has become due in that period by the enterprise.

     

    • Closing stock

    Stock or inventory at the end of the accounting period which is shown in the balance sheet and which is valued on the basis of the “ cost or net realizable value, whichever is lower “ principle is called closing stock.

     

    • Short term investment

    Investments that are also known as marketable securities and are held for a temporary period of time i.e, for less than 12 months, and can be easily converted into cash are called short-term investments.

     

    Criteria for classification

    Now let us see the classification of assets in the case of companies as per Schedule III of the Companies act 2013.

    An asset is a current asset if it satisfies any one of the following criteria which are as follows:-

    • It is held primarily for the purpose of being traded.

     

    • It is expected to be realized in or is intended for sale or consumption in the company’s normal operating cycle.

     

    • It is expected to be realized within 12 months from the reporting date.

     

    • It is cash and cash equivalent unless it is restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least 12 months after the reporting date.

     

    Here is an extract of the balance sheet showing current assets 

    See less
    • 0
Spriha Sparsh
Spriha Sparsh
In: >

  2. Radhika
    This answer was edited.

    Working Capital is the capital used in the daily operations of the business. It is calculated as the difference between current assets and current liabilities. Gross working capital means current assets and net working capital means the difference between current assets and current liabilities. WorkRead more

    Working Capital is the capital used in the daily operations of the business. It is calculated as the difference between current assets and current liabilities. Gross working capital means current assets and net working capital means the difference between current assets and current liabilities.

    Working Capital indicates the short-term liquidity of its business. It means the ability of a company to meet its daily requirements through short-term financing.

    Working Capital can be;

    • Positive
    • Zero, or
    • Negative

    Positive or negative working capital follows a simple rule of math. If current assets are more than current liabilities, working capital is positive and if current assets are less than current liabilities, working capital is negative. When current assets are equal to current liabilities, working capital is zero.

    Negative working capital for a short period means that the company has made a big payment to its vendors, or a significant increase in the creditor’s account because of credit purchases.

    However, if working capital is negative for a longer period it indicates that the company is struggling with its operating requirements or that it has to finance its daily operations through long-term borrowings.

    The current ratio for a company is calculated as: 

    Current Assets divided by Current Liabilities.

    Working Capital and Current Ratio are interrelated. If the Current Ratio is more than 1, it means current assets exceed current liabilities and Working Capital is positive. However, if the Current Ratio is less than 1, it means current liabilities exceed current assets and Working Capital is negative.

    For example-

    If Current Assets are Rs 50,000 and Current Liabilities are Rs 70,000 then

    Working Capital= Current Assets – Current Liabilities

    WC           =        Rs 70,000   –     Rs 50,000

    WC           =                   Rs. 20,000

    Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities

    CR        =         Rs.50,000/ Rs. 70,000

    CR        =                           0.71< 1

     

    See less
    • 0
Aadil
AadilCurious
In: >

  2. Aditi
    This answer was edited.

    Deferred Tax Liability A deferred tax liability represents an obligation to pay taxes in the future. These taxes are owed by a company but are not due to be paid until a future date. Companies that incur such an obligation prepare and maintain two financial reports every year: a tax statement and anRead more

    Deferred Tax Liability

    A deferred tax liability represents an obligation to pay taxes in the future. These taxes are owed by a company but are not due to be paid until a future date.

    Companies that incur such an obligation prepare and maintain two financial reports every year: a tax statement and an income statement.

    This is because companies maintain their books as per book accounting rules (GAAP/IFRS), but they have to pay taxes according to tax accounting rules, and they each have to follow their own guidelines.

    For example, a tax statement follows the cash basis of accounting, and an income statement follows the accrual basis of accounting.

    Companies calculate their profit as per the accounting rules as well as tax laws known as accounting income and taxable income, respectively. Some differences arise due to the application of different provisions of law.

    These temporary differences are accounted for, recognized, and carried forward in the books of accounts and create deferred tax.

     

    Example

    Here is an example of deferred tax liability.

    In the given example, tax as per income statement is 70,000, whereas as per tax statement it is 56,000. This temporary difference is termed as deferred tax liability of 14,000.

    When accounting income is more than taxable income, it creates Deferred Tax Liability. It will be adjusted in the books of accounts during one or more subsequent year(s).

     

     

    How Does it Arise?

    There are several instances under which a company creates a deferred tax liability. Some other instances are:

    Depreciation Methods

    • One of the most common reasons for deferred tax liability is when a company uses different depreciation methods in the Income and Tax Statement.
    • Assets are depreciated by calculating the straight-line method in the Income Statement, while the written-down value method is used in the Tax Statement.
    • Since the straight-line value method produces lower depreciation when compared to the WDV method, accounting income is temporarily higher than taxable income.
    • The company recognises deferred tax liability as this difference between accounting income and taxable income.

    Treatment of Revenue & Expenses

    • Deferred tax liability can also arise when there is a difference in the way revenue and expenses are treated in books of accounts.
    • As mentioned earlier, accounting rules follow the accrual basis of accounting while tax laws follow the cash basis of accounting.
    • Meaning in the tax statement, income and expenses are recorded when they are received or paid, not when they are incurred or realised.
    • This difference in the treatment of revenue and expenses creates deferred tax liability.

     

     

    Impact on Financial Statements

    Recognising deferred tax liability and its subsequent effect on the company’s financial statement is important as it simplifies the process of auditing and analysing financial reports.

    Balance Sheet

    • Deferred tax liabilities are recorded on the liability side of the balance sheet under non-current liabilities.

    Cash Flow Statement

    • The deferred tax liability is added back to the net income in calculating cash flow from operating activities to show the actual cash flow.
    See less
    • 0
Aditi
Aditi
In: >

  2. Mehak
    This answer was edited.

    Every business requires research and development to create innovative products for consumers. More innovative and creative products and services are more popular among customers, leading to increased revenue and profits for the business. Creating new products or designing changes and testing existinRead more

    Every business requires research and development to create innovative products for consumers. More innovative and creative products and services are more popular among customers, leading to increased revenue and profits for the business.

    Creating new products or designing changes and testing existing products also forms a part of research and development.

    Examples of Research and Development costs are –

    1. Salaries of employees
    2. Cost of making prototypes
    3. Cost of raw material
    4. Overhead expenses

    Let us now understand how research and development costs are treated in Financial Statements.

    Research and Development Costs are generally shown as an expense in the Income Statement.

    IAS-38

    IAS-38 majorly governs the accounting of research and development costs. There are two phases in R&D:

    • Research: During this phase, costs are incurred for understanding or designing the product. These costs are expensed as incurred costs as there is an uncertainty of a future benefit.
    •  Development: Economic value can be ascertained during this phase and hence, the costs incurred can be capitalized as Intangible assets. To be recognised as intangible assets, the following conditions shall be satisfied:

    1. it is developed with the intention of putting it to use in the future

    2.  the asset shall hold an economic value

    3. the costs can be measured reliably

    Treatment of R&D costs in the Financial statements:

      1. Income statement: Research costs are shown as expenses in the income statement. However, development costs if capitalized as intangible assets can be amortised over time.
      2. Balance Sheet: Capitalised development costs are shown as intangible assets under the Assets head of the Balance Sheet.

    Conclusion

    The above discussion can be summarised as follows:

    1. Research and development is essential for creating innovative and creative products and services.
    2. Accounting standard IAS-38 governs the accounting for Research and Development.
    3. Research costs are usually shown as an expense in the Income statement of the business.
    4.  Development costs when capitalised can be shown as Intangible assets in the Balance Sheet.
    See less
    • 0

Most Helping Users

Astha

Astha

Leader
Simerpreet

Simerpreet

Helpful
AbhishekBatabyal

AbhishekBatabyal

Helpful