To begin with, let me first give you a small explanation of what Contingent assets are A contingent asset is a potential asset or economic benefit that does not exist currently but may arise in the near future. Such an asset arises from an uncertain and unpredictable event. To make it clear with anRead more
To begin with, let me first give you a small explanation of what Contingent assets are
A contingent asset is a potential asset or economic benefit that does not exist currently but may arise in the near future. Such an asset arises from an uncertain and unpredictable event.
To make it clear with an example: String Co. filed a lawsuit against a competitor company Weave Tech Co. for infringing on company ABC’s patent. Even if it is probable (but not certain) that Strings Co. will win the lawsuit, it is a contingent asset.
As such, it will not be recorded in Strings Co. general ledger accounts until the lawsuit is settled.
At most the Strings Co. can do is, prepare a note disclosing the fact that it has filed the lawsuit the outcome of which is uncertain.
Disclosing Contingent Assets
- The probability of occurrence is virtually certain or probable: It will be disclosed as an asset in the balance sheet.
For Example, The court orders for reimbursement to Strings Co. say 1,00,000 for the damages, but it has not yet received the money. Although it is virtually certain that the company will receive the money in the near future, it will be treated as an asset and can be disclosed in the balance sheet on the assets side.
- The probability of occurrence is probable: It will be disclosed as notes to accounts below the balance sheet.
For Example, Strings Co. filed a lawsuit against a competitor company Weave Tech for infringing on Strings Co. patent. Even if it is probable (but not certain) that Strings Co. will win the lawsuit, it is a contingent asset.
As such, it will not be recorded in Strings company’s general ledger until the lawsuit is settled.
At most the Strings Co. can do is, prepare a note disclosing the fact that it has filed the lawsuit the outcome of which is uncertain.Â
- The probability of occurrence is remote or not probable:Â Â It will not be treated as a contingent asset.
In this case, the disclosure of it is not permitted.
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A bills receivable book is a subsidiary book that shows the details of various bills receivables drawn on customers. It shows the amount, due date, date when the bill was drawn, name of the acceptor, and various other details pertaining to each bill. A bills payable book is a subsidiary book that shRead more
A bills receivable book is a subsidiary book that shows the details of various bills receivables drawn on customers. It shows the amount, due date, date when the bill was drawn, name of the acceptor, and various other details pertaining to each bill.
A bills payable book is a subsidiary book that shows the details of various bills that suppliers have drawn on the business. It shows the amount, due date, date when the bill was drawn, name of the drawer and various other details pertaining to each bill.
The total of both these books is ultimately transferred to the general ledger. From there, it is used in drafting the balance sheet.
Importance of bills receivable and bills payable books
Bills receivable books help us know the amount that each customer is liable to pay us on specific dates while bills payable books help us know the amounts that we have to pay our various suppliers on certain dates.
Together these books help us handle our cash flows in an efficient manner.
We can evaluate our credit cycle. Bills receivable books help us avoid bad debts while bills payable books help us to avoid defaults.
Difference between bills receivable and bills payable
These are the primary differences between bills payable and bills receivable:
We can conclude that both bills receivable and bills payable books are subsidiary books. Bills receivable shows the details of every bill that the business has drawn on each credit customer. Bills payable show the details of every bill that each credit supplier has drawn on the business.
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