Definition Goodwill is an intangible asset that places an enterprise in an advantageous position due to which the enterprise is able to earn higher profits without extra effort. For example, if the enterprise has rendered good services to its customers, it will be satisfied with the quality of its sRead more
Definition
Goodwill is an intangible asset that places an enterprise in an advantageous position due to which the enterprise is able to earn higher profits without extra effort.
For example, if the enterprise has rendered good services to its customers, it will be satisfied with the quality of its services, which will bring them back to the enterprise.
Features
The value of goodwill is a subjective assessment of the valuer.
• It helps in earning higher profits.
• It is an intangible asset.
• It is an attractive force that brings in customers to the business.
• It has realizable value when the business is sold out.
Need for goodwill valuation
The need for the valuation of goodwill arises in the following circumstances :
• When there is a change in profit sharing ratio.
• When a new partner is admitted.
• When partner retires or dies.
• When a partnership firm is sold as a going concern.
• When two or more firms amalgamate.
Classification of goodwill
Goodwill is classified into two categories:
• Purchased goodwill
• Self-generated goodwill
Purchased goodwill :
Is that goodwill acquired by the firm for consideration whether paid or kind?
For example: when a business is purchased and purchase consideration is more than the value of net assets the difference amount is the value of purchase goodwill.
Self-generated goodwill
It is that goodwill that is not purchased for consideration but is earned by the management’s efforts.
It is an internally generated goodwill that arises from a number of factors ( such as favorable location, efficient management, good quality of products, etc ) that a running business possesses due to which it is able to earn higher profits.
Methods of valuation
1. Average profit method
2. Super profit method
3. Capitalization method
Average profit method: goodwill under the average profit method can be calculated either by :
• Simple average profit method or
• Weighted average profit method
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Yes, I agree with your statement that accounting information should be comparable. Comparability is one of the qualitative characteristics of accounting information. It means that users should be able to compare a company's financial statements across time and across other companies. Comparability oRead more
Yes, I agree with your statement that accounting information should be comparable.
Comparability is one of the qualitative characteristics of accounting information. It means that users should be able to compare a company’s financial statements across time and across other companies.
Comparability of financial statements is crucial due to the following reasons:
1. Intra-Firm Comparison:
Comparison of financial statements of two or more periods of the same firm is known as an intra-firm comparison.
Comparability of accounting information enables the users to analyze the financial statements of a business over a period of time. It helps them to monitor whether the firm’s financial performance has improved over time.
The intra-firm analysis is also known as Time Series Analysis or Trend Analysis.
To understand intra-firm analysis, I have provided an extract of the balance sheet of ABC Ltd. for two accounting periods.
2. Inter-Firm Comparison:
Comparison of financial statements of two or more firms is known as an inter-firm comparison.
Inter-firm comparison helps in analyzing the financial performance of two or more competing firms in an industry. It enables the firm to know its position in the market in comparison to its competitors.
Inter-firm comparison is also known as Cross-sectional Analysis.
I’ve provided the balance sheets of Co. A and Co.B to make an inter-firm comparison.
Here is a piece of bonus information for you,
Sector Analysis – it refers to the assessment of economical and financial conditions of a given sector of a company/industry/economy. It involves the analysis of the size, demographic, pricing, competitive, and other economic dimensions of a sector of the company/industry/economy.
One more important thing to note here is that comparability can only be achieved when the firms are consistent in the accounting principles and standards they adopt. The accounting policies and standards must be consistent across different periods of the same firm and across different firms in an industry.
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