AccountingQA Latest Questions

Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
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  2. Vijay Curious M.Com
    This answer was edited.

    Sometimes a business may earn an income by delivering the goods/services within the stipulated time. But the business may not have issued an invoice to the customer. Such a scenario is what is called unbilled revenue. Note that as per the accrual concept of accounting, sales are recognized on the daRead more

    Sometimes a business may earn an income by delivering the goods/services within the stipulated time. But the business may not have issued an invoice to the customer. Such a scenario is what is called unbilled revenue.

    Note that as per the accrual concept of accounting, sales are recognized on the day it was made, irrespective of whether the business receives cash or not.

    The business records unbilled revenue by passing the following journal entry:

    Unbilled Revenue is treated as an asset because it is yet to be fully recognized as an income. Therefore it is debited. Revenue A/c is credited as there is an increase in income.

    Once the bill/invoice has been issued to the customer, the following entry is passed to close the Unbilled Revenue A/c.

    Let me explain this concept with an example,

    Luca Traders, a business dealing in stationery and office supplies receives an order on August 5th for 1,000 pens worth 10 each. On August 8th they deliver the pens but they are yet to issue an invoice to the customer. They issue the invoice only on August 13th.

    So the sales revenue of 10,000 (1,000*10) will be treated as an unbilled revenue for the period of August 8th – August 12th. On August 8th the following entry is made to record unbilled revenue.

    Unbilled Revenue A/c  10,000
       To Revenue A/c  10,000
    (Being entry for recording unbilled revenue worth 10,000)

    When the invoice is sent to the customer on August 13th, the following journal entry is posted to close the unbilled revenue A/c.

    Bills Receivable A/c  10,000
       To Unbilled Revenue A/c  10,000
    (Being invoice issued against unbilled revenue)
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Aadil
AadilCurious
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  2. AbhishekBatabyal Helpful Pursuing CA, BCOM (HONS)
    This answer was edited.

    You must have knowledge of what depreciation is. Depreciation is the process of allocating the value of an asset over its useful life. It reduces the carrying value of the asset year by year till it is scraped. It is an expense (expense of using the asset for business purposes) and it is charged toRead more

    You must have knowledge of what depreciation is. Depreciation is the process of allocating the value of an asset over its useful life. It reduces the carrying value of the asset year by year till it is scraped.

    It is an expense (expense of using the asset for business purposes) and it is charged to profit and loss account.

    Depreciation can be reported in the financial statement in two ways:

    1. Deduct depreciation from the asset account and show the asset at “depreciation less” value. See the journal entries below:

    1. Maintain a provision for depreciation account and show the asset account at original cost. In this method, no entry is passed through the asset account. See the journal entries below:

     

    Provision for depreciation account represents the collection of total depreciation till date on an asset. That’s why it is also called accumulated depreciation account. When an asset is sold, its accumulated depreciation is credited to the asset account. See the journal entry below:

    It is shown on the liabilities side of the balance sheet. It is a nominal account because it is shown as an expense in the statement of profit or loss.

    In case provision for depreciation account is not maintained then the balance sheet looks like this:

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Anushka Lalwani
Anushka Lalwani
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ReservesRevenue Reserve
  2. Rahul_Jose Aspiring CA currently doing Bcom
    This answer was edited.

    A revenue reserve is a type of reserve where a portion of the net profit is set aside for future requirements. It serves as a great source of internal finance for the company to meet its short term requirements. The funds put into this reserve are earned from the daily operations of a company. RevenRead more

    A revenue reserve is a type of reserve where a portion of the net profit is set aside for future requirements. It serves as a great source of internal finance for the company to meet its short term requirements. The funds put into this reserve are earned from the daily operations of a company. Revenue reserves are shown on the liabilities side of a balance sheet under reserves and surplus. Some examples of revenue reserve are :

    • General Reserve: This reserve is used for no specific purpose, but the general financial growth of the company. It is a free reserve which means the company is not compelled to make one. It helps to curb future losses which may arise in the future.
    • Specific Reserve: These are those reserves that can only be used for specific purposes. This money cannot be used for any other requirement. It is not a free reserve. A reserve created to redeem debentures would be called a debenture redemption reserve.
    • Secret Reserve: This is a type of reserve whose existence is not disclosed in the balance sheet. This type of reserve cannot be created by joint-stock companies. However, banks and financial institutions are allowed to create such secret reserves.

    Retained Earnings is that part of the net profit which is left after the distribution of dividends to shareholders. This amount can be invested in the company to gain profits. It is not technically a reserve as it is held after distribution of dividends but it can still be used as one.

    On the other hand, a capital reserve is not a part of the revenue reserve. It is created from capital profits to finance long term projects of a company. It is used for specific purposes only.

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Aadil
AadilCurious
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  2. Karan B.com and Pursuing ACCA

    In accounting, sales returns are the goods returned by the customer to the seller. This can be due to goods delivered is damaged or defective. A return can also be due to late delivery, or the wrong items being sent to the buyer. Sales return is a subsidiary book in which all the details are recordeRead more

    In accounting, sales returns are the goods returned by the customer to the seller. This can be due to goods delivered is damaged or defective. A return can also be due to late delivery, or the wrong items being sent to the buyer.

    Sales return is a subsidiary book in which all the details are recorded for the goods returned which were sold on credit. It is also known as return inwards.

    Accounting for Sales Return

    Whenever there is a sale return, the seller will debit the sales return account and credit the debtor’s account. The total amount of sales returns is deducted from the gross sales for the period giving the figure for net sales. Debtor’s account is credited because the amount receivable from debtors will reduce.

    The sales return is a contra account to the sales.

    Format of sales return book:

    In the above format, a credit note is a statement prepared by the seller and sent to the buyer. In this statement, all the details are mentioned in respect of the goods sent by the buyer and are an indication that the buyer’s account is credited in respect of the goods received.

    For example, Mr. A sold goods to Mr. B costing Rs 50,000 on 1 December. On 5 December, goods amounting to Rs 15,000 were found defective and were returned immediately to Mr. A.

    Mr. A will account for this in the following way:

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AbhishekBatabyal
AbhishekBatabyalHelpful
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  2. Ayushi Curious Pursuing CA
    This answer was edited.

    The term ‘bad debt’ and ‘write off’ are often used together in a sentence but they have different meanings. First, we will discuss them in brief to understand the differences between them. Bad debts We know, debtors for a business are their assets because the business has the right to receive moneyRead more

    The term ‘bad debt’ and ‘write off’ are often used together in a sentence but they have different meanings. First, we will discuss them in brief to understand the differences between them.

    Bad debts

    We know, debtors for a business are their assets because the business has the right to receive money from the debtors due to the goods supplied to them.

    But if due to circumstances, there appears no probability that the amount due to one or more debtors will be realised to the business, then such debts are categorised as bad debts.

    In short, bad debts refer to the amount of money that will not be received from some debtors of the business due to some circumstances like insolvency of debtor etc.

    Bad debt is deducted from debtors account by the following journal entry:

    Bad debts A/c Dr. Amt
    To Debtors A/c Cr. Amt
    (Being bad debts written off from debtors)

    As bad debts are losses to a business, it is ultimately written off from the profit and loss account.

    Profit and loss A/c Dr. Amt
    To Bad debts A/c Cr. Amt
    (Being bad debts written off to profit and loss account)

    Write off

    In layman terms, write off means to deduct something out from something. In accounting, write off means to deduct or reduce value of assets by crediting it to a liability account which is usually a reserve account or the profit and loss account.

    It also refers to the elimination of an item from the books of accounts particularly losses and expenses.

    Generally, writing off is associated with the following:

    1. Bad debts.
    2. Damaged Inventories.
    3. Loss on issue or redemption of debentures.
    4. Preliminary expenses.
    5. Bad loans and advances.

    Write off can be done in one of the following methods:

    1. Direct write-off: The write off is directly done by crediting asset account or loss account and debiting the reserve or P/L account.
    2. Indirect write-off: Here, an intermediate account is involved between the asset account and liabilities account. A common example is writing off of bad debts where the bad debts account is the intermediate account.

    Hence, the following differences can be observed between bad debts and write off or writing off:

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Aadil
AadilCurious
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  2. GautamSaxena Curious .
    This answer was edited.

    Business commencement with cash The term 'started the business with cash' is basically the commencement of business. In order to start any business, a certain sum of money has to be invested by the owner, which is known as the business's capital in accounting. Commencement of business refers to theRead more

    Business commencement with cash

    The term ‘started the business with cash’ is basically the commencement of business. In order to start any business, a certain sum of money has to be invested by the owner, which is known as the business’s capital in accounting.

    Commencement of business refers to the starting or beginning of the business. In companies, it’s a declaration issued by the company’s directors with the registrar stating that the subscribers of the company have paid the amount agreed. In a sole proprietorship, the business can be commenced with the introduction of any asset such as cash, stock, furniture, etc.

    Therefore, we may also call it the first journal entry of business because generally, people tend to start the business with cash rather than something else.

    Journal entry

    Explanation via rules

    As per the golden rules of accounting, the cash a/c is debited as the rule says “debit what comes in, credit what goes out.” Whereas the capital a/c is credited because “debit all expenses and losses, credit all incomes and gains”

    As per modern rules of accounting, cash is a current asset, and assets are debited when they increase. Whereas, on the increment on liabilities, they are credited, therefore, capital a/c is credited.

     

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
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  2. Akash Kumar AK
    This answer was edited.

    Partnership Firm Persons who have entered into a partnership with one another to carry on a business are individually called “Partners“; collectively called a “Partnership Firm”; and the name under which their business is carried on is called the “Firm Name” In simple words, A partnership is an agreRead more

    Partnership Firm

    Persons who have entered into a partnership with one another to carry on a business are individually called “Partners“; collectively called a “Partnership Firm”; and the name under which their business is carried on is called the “Firm Name”

    In simple words, A partnership is an agreement between two or more people who comes together to run a business on a partnership deed, which is called a Partnership firm. A Partnership Deed is a written agreement between partners who are willing to form a Partnership Firm. It is also called a Partnership Agreement.

    It has no separate legal entity which cannot be separated from the members. It is merely a collective name given to the individuals composing it. This means, a partnership firm cannot hold property in its name, and neither it can sue nor be sued by others.

     

    Contents of a Partnership Deed

    A Partnership Deed shall mainly include the following contents:

    1. Name of the Partnership firm
    2. Address of the Partnership firm
    3. Details of all the Partners
    4. Date of commencement of the Business
    5. The amount of capital contributed by each of the partners forming the Partnership firm
    6. The Profit sharing ratio (The Business profit shared among the partners on a ratio basis)
    7. The rate or amount of Interest on Capital & the rate or amount of Interest on drawings to each partner respectively.
    8. The salary is payable to each of the partners of the firm.
    9. The rights, duties, and power of each partner of the firm.
    10. The duration of the existence of the firm

     

    Types of Partners

    The following are the various types o partners

    1. Working partner or Active partner
    2. Sleeping partner
    3. Limited partner
    4. Partner in profit only
    5. Nominal or quasi partner
    6. Minor as a partner

     

    Types of Partnership Firms

    There are four types of partnership which are as below.

    1. General Partnership
    2. Limited Partnership
    3. Partnership at will
    4. Particular Partnership

    Essential characteristics of a partnership firm

    1. Two or More persons: There must be at least two persons to form a partnership. A person cannot enter into a partnership with himself. The maximum number of persons in a partnership should not exceed 50.
    2. Agreement between partners: There must be an agreement between the parties in a partnership. The relation of partnership arises from the formation of a contract i.e., Partnership deed.
    3. Mutual Agency: Partnership business can be carried on by all the partners or by any of them acting on behalf of the others. in simple words, every partner is an agent to the other partners and of the form. Each partner is liable for acts performed by other partners on behalf of the firm.
    4. Registration of Firm: Registration of a partnership firm is not compulsory under the Act. The only document or even an oral agreement among partners required is the ‘partnership deed’ to bring the partnership into existence.
    5. Unlimited Liability: the liability of the partners is unlimited for the debts of the firm. In case the assets of the firm are insufficient to pay the debts in full, the personal property of each partner can be attached to pay the creditors of the firm.
    6. Non-Transferability of interest: there is a restriction in the transfer of shares of profits of the partnership without the prior consent of all other partners.
    7. Sharing of profits: The profits must be distributed among the partners in an agreed ratio. Similarly, losses should be shared among the partners.
    8. Lawful Business: The business carried on by the partners must be lawful. Illegal acts such as theft, dacoity, smuggling, etc., cannot be called partnerships.
    9. Utmost good faith: A partner must observe utmost good faith in all dealings with his co-partners. He must render true accounts and make no secret profits from the business.

     

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

    Debtors are treated as an asset. A debtor is a person or an entity who owes an amount to an enterprise against credit sales of goods and/or services rendered. When goods are sold to a person on credit that person is called a debtor because he owes that much amount to the enterprise. Debtors are consRead more

    Debtors are treated as an asset.

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

    When goods are sold to a person on credit that person is called a debtor because he owes that much amount to the enterprise.

    Debtors are considered assets in the balance sheet and are shown under the head of current assets.

    For example – Ram Sold goods to Sam on credit, Sam did not pay for the goods immediately, so here Sam is the debtor for Ram because he owes the amount to Ram. This amount will be payable at a later date.

    Liabilities Vs Assets

    Liabilities

    It means the amount owed (payable) by the business.  Liability towards the owners ( proprietor or partners ) of the business is termed internal liability. For example, owner’s capital, etc

    On the other hand, liability towards outsiders, i.e., other than owners ( proprietors or partners ) is termed as an external liability.
    For example creditors, bank overdrafts, etc.

    Assets

    An asset is a resource owned or controlled by a company. The benefit from the asset will accrue to the business in current and future periods. In other words, it’s something that a company owns or controls and can use to generate profits today and in the future.
    For example – machinery, building, etc.

    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. They are readily realizable into cash.

    In other words, we can say that the expected realization period of current assets is less than the operating cycle period.

    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.

     

    Why debtors are treated as assets?

    Now let me explain to you why debtors are treated as assets and not as liabilities because of the following characteristics :

    • We can say that the expected realization period is less than the operating cycle period.
    • Expected to be converted into cash in the normal course of business.
    • In the business, debtors are treated as current assets which we can see on the asset side of the balance sheet.
    • Debtors have a debit balance.

     

    Conclusion

    Now after the above discussion, I can conclude that debtors are considered to be an asset and not a liability.

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
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  2. Kajal

    A Realisation account is prepared at the time of dissolution of the Partnership firm to ascertain profit or loss from the sale of assets and payment of liabilities of the firm. All assets that can be converted into cash (i.e. from which any value can be realised) and all external liabilities to be pRead more

    A Realisation account is prepared at the time of dissolution of the Partnership firm to ascertain profit or loss from the sale of assets and payment of liabilities of the firm. All assets that can be converted into cash (i.e. from which any value can be realised) and all external liabilities to be paid are transferred to the Realisation A/c.

    So, Cash and Bank (already in liquid form), fictitious assets (doesn’t have any value to be realised), Partner’s Loan (internal liability) and Undistributed profits (not something that can be realised) are not included in the Realisation account.

     

    DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP FIRM

    It means the firm closes down its business and comes to an end. Simply, it means the firm will cease to exist in the future. As the firm is closing down, its assets are sold, liabilities are paid off, and the remaining amount (if any) is distributed among the partners.

     

    REALISATION ACCOUNT

    This account is prepared only once, at the time of dissolution of the Partnership firm. It is opened to dispose of all the assets of the firm and make payments to all the external creditors of the firm.

    It ascertains the profit earned or loss incurred on the realisation of assets and payment of liabilities.

     

    Items not included in Realisation A/c

     

    1. ASSETS

    CASH AND BANK BALANCES are not included in the Realisation account as the purpose of the Realisation account is to sell assets to realise cash, but cash and bank are already in liquid form and thus, not included.

    These are directly used for the payment of liabilities and if there is any remaining amount, then that amount is distributed among the partners.

     

    FICTITIOUS ASSETS are huge expenses or losses that are written off over the years by writing off a portion of it every year for the next few years like accumulated losses, balance of Advertisement expenses, Preliminary expenses, Loss on the issue of Debentures, etc. They don’t have any physical existence or realisable value.

    Since nothing can be realised from these assets they are not included in the Realisation account. These are transferred to the Partner’s Capital A/c.

     

    2. LIABILITIES

     

    PARTNER’S LOAN refers to the loan given to the firm by any partner of the firm. 

    Suppose, there are three Partners A, B and C. ‘C’ gave the firm a loan of $5,000. This $5,000 will be recorded as a Partner’s Loan and not just as a normal loan taken from an external party.

    Since, Partner’s Loans are the internal obligation of the firm, they are not included in the realisation account instead a separate account is prepared to settle Partner’s Loan after all external liabilities are settled.

    So, we can say in the Realisation account only external liabilities are included and paid.

     

    UNDISTRIBUTED PROFITS  are the  Profits that are not distributed among the Partners like General Reserve, Reserve Fund, and Credit balance of P&L A/c.

    They are not included in the realisation account as they can’t be sold as an asset neither they are any liabilities that should be paid. Undistributed profits belong to the Partners of the firm and thus, are transferred to Partner’s capital A/c.

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prashant06
prashant06
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DrawingsIncome Statement
  2. Radha M.Com, NET
    This answer was edited.

    Whenever the proprietor/owner of a business withdraws cash or goods from the business for his/her personal use, we call it drawings. For example, Alex, proprietor of a soap manufacturing company, takes 50 pack of soaps costing 30 each for his personal use. So, 1,500 (50*30) will be considered as draRead more

    Whenever the proprietor/owner of a business withdraws cash or goods from the business for his/her personal use, we call it drawings. For example, Alex, proprietor of a soap manufacturing company, takes 50 pack of soaps costing 30 each for his personal use. So, 1,500 (50*30) will be considered as drawings of Alex. One important thing to note here is whenever goods are withdrawn for personal use they are valued at cost.

    Drawings are not an asset/liability/expense/income to the business. The drawings account is a contra-equity account. A contra-equity account is a capital account with a negative balance i.e. debit balance. It reduces the owner’s equity/capital.

    Drawings being a contra-equity account has a debit balance, reducing the owner’s capital in the business. This is because withdrawals for personal use represent a reduction of the owner’s equity in the business.

    Drawings are not shown in the Income Statement as they are neither an expense nor an income for the business. However, the following journal entries are passed to record drawings for the year:

    Drawings A/c is debited because it reduces the owner’s capital. Cash/Purchases A/c is debited as a withdrawal reduces the assets of the business.

    At the end of the year, drawings A/c are closed by transferring it to the owner’s capital A/c. We post the following entry to close the drawings A/c at the end of the year:

    In the balance sheet, drawings are shown by deducting it from the owner’s capital A/c.

    Let us take our earlier example of Alex. He withdrew soaps worth 1,500. At the end of the year, his capital was worth 5,500. The journal entry for recording the drawings is as follows:

    In the balance sheet, drawings worth 1,500 are shown as follows:

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