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A_Team
A_Team
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Miscellaneous

Are prepaid expenses an asset?

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Answer
  1. SidharthBadlani CA Inter Student
    Added an answer on January 6, 2023 at 8:26 am
    This answer was edited.

    Prepaid expense means a service to be rendered in the future period for which the business has already paid the remuneration. Prepaid expenses are classified as assets. The benefits of this payment will accrue to the business at a later period.  For example, insurance is often paid for annually on tRead more

    Prepaid expense means a service to be rendered in the future period for which the business has already paid the remuneration. Prepaid expenses are classified as assets. The benefits of this payment will accrue to the business at a later period. 

    For example, insurance is often paid for annually on the basis of the calendar year. A business may pay insurance every year on 1st January for that entire year. While preparing the financial statements on 31st March, it will recognize the insurance premium for the period 1st April to 31st December of the next financial year as a prepaid insurance expense. 

    Why are prepaid expenses classified as assets? 

    First of all, let us understand what an asset is. An asset is anything over which the business has ownership rights and which it can sell for money. The benefits of this asset should accrue to the business. 

    In light of this definition, let us analyze prepaid expenses as an asset. As the business has already paid for these goods or services, it becomes a legal right of the business to receive the relevant goods or services at a later date. As the benefit of this expense would accrue to the business only at a later date, the prepaid expenses are classified as an asset. 

    Some examples of prepaid expenses are prepaid insurance, prepaid rent etc

    Treatment of Prepaid Expenses

    Prepaid expenses are recorded in the balance sheet under the heading “Current Assets” and sub-heading “Other Current Assets”

    As per the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or GAAP, expenses must be recognized in the accounting period to which they relate or in which the benefit due to them is likely to arise. Thus, we cannot recognize the prepaid expenses in the accounting period in which they are incurred. 

    Prepaid assets are classified as assets and carried forward in the balance sheet to be debited in the income statement of the accounting period to which they relate. 

    Adjusting Entries

    Adjusting entries are those entries that are used to recognize prepaid expenses in the income statement of the period to which they relate. These entries are not used to record new transactions. They ensure compliance with GAAP by recognizing the expenses in the period to which they relate. 

    Conclusion

    The GAAP and basic definition of an asset govern the treatment of prepaid expenses as an asset. The business incurs them in an accounting period different from the accounting period in which their benefit would accrue to the business. The business has a legal right to receive those goods or services. 

    The business carries them as a current asset on the balance sheet. In the relevant accounting period, they are recognized in the income statement. 

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Bonnie
BonnieCurious
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Miscellaneous

Interest on drawings is

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

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Answer
  1. GautamSaxena Curious .
    Added an answer on July 14, 2022 at 8:49 am
    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

     

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Aadil
AadilCurious
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Miscellaneous

What is a deferred tax liability?

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Answer
  1. Aditi
    Added an answer on January 11, 2025 at 8:38 am
    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.
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Spriha Sparsh
Spriha Sparsh
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Miscellaneous

Can working capital be negative?

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Answer
  1. Radhika
    Added an answer on November 18, 2021 at 6:56 am
    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

     

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SidharthBadlani
SidharthBadlani
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Miscellaneous

Can someone give examples of net profit and gross profit?

  • 1 Answer
  • 6 Followers
Answer
  1. Ishika Pandey Curious ca aspirant
    Added an answer on February 5, 2023 at 12:58 pm
    This answer was edited.

    Definition Gross profit is the excess of the proceeds of goods and services rendered during a period over their cost, before taking into account administration, selling, distribution, and financial expenses. Gross profit and net profit are gross profit estimates of the profitability of a company. WhRead more

    Definition

    Gross profit is the excess of the proceeds of goods and services rendered during a period over their cost, before taking into account administration, selling, distribution, and financial expenses.

    Gross profit and net profit are gross profit estimates of the profitability of a company.

    When the result of this computation is negative it is referred to as gross loss

    Formula :

    Total Revenues – Cost Of Goods Sold

    Net profit is defined as the excess of revenues over expenses during a particular period.
    Net profit is to show the performance of the company.

    When the result of this computation is negative it is called a net loss.

    Net profit may be shown before or after tax.

    Formula :

    Total Revenues – Expenses
    Or
    Total Revenues – Total Cost ( Implicit And Explicit Cost )

    Examples

    Now let me explain to you by taking an example which is as follows :

    In a business organization there were the following data given as purchases made Rs 73000, inventory, in the beginning, was Rs 10000, direct expenses made were Rs 7000, closing inventory which was Rs 5000, revenue from operation during the period was Rs 100000.
    Then,

    COST OF GOODS SOLD = Purchases + Opening Inventory + Direct Expenses – Closing Inventory.

    = Rs ( 73000 + 10000+ 7000- 5000)
    = Rs 85000

    GROSS PROFIT = REVENUE – COST OF GOODS SOLD

    = Rs ( 100000 – 85000 )
    = Rs 15000

    Now from the above question keeping the gross profit same if the indirect expenses of the organization are Rs 2000 and the other income is Rs 1000.
    Then,

    NET PROFIT = GROSS PROFIT – INDIRECT EXPENSES + OTHER INCOMES

    = Rs ( 15000 – 2000 + 1000)
    = Rs 14000

    Treatment

    Treatment of gross profit and net profit is given as follows :

    Gross profit

    • Gross profit appears on the credit side of the trading account.
    • Gross profit is located in the upper portion beneath revenue and cost of goods sold.

    Net profit

    • Net profit appears on the credit side of the profit and loss account.
    • It is treated directly in the balance sheet by adding or subtracting from the capital.

    Here is an extract of the trading and profit/loss account and balance sheet showing GROSS PROFIT & NET PROFIT :

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Rahul_Jose
Rahul_Jose
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Miscellaneous

Can assets ever have a credit balance?

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Answer
  1. Radhika
    Added an answer on December 12, 2021 at 6:32 am
    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.

     

     

     

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A_Team
A_Team
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Miscellaneous

Permanent working capital is also known as?

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Answer
  1. GautamSaxena Curious .
    Added an answer on August 4, 2022 at 10:54 am
    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.

     

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Aditi
Aditi
In: 1. Financial Accounting > Miscellaneous

How are Research & Development costs treated in financial statements?

  • 1 Answer
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Answer
  1. Mehak
    Added an answer on January 14, 2025 at 4:30 am
    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.
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