AccountingQA Latest Questions

Spriha Sparsh
Spriha Sparsh
In: >

  2. Pooja_Parikh Aspiring Chartered Accountant
    This answer was edited.

    Retained Earnings refer to the total net profits left with the company after deduction of all dividends. This amount is a source of internal finance and can be used for the growth or expansion of the company. Retained earnings are shown under shareholders’ equity in the balance sheet and are calculaRead more

    Retained Earnings refer to the total net profits left with the company after deduction of all dividends. This amount is a source of internal finance and can be used for the growth or expansion of the company.

    Retained earnings are shown under shareholders’ equity in the balance sheet and are calculated as follows:
    Retained earnings at the end of the year = Retained earnings at the beginning of the year + Net Income – Dividend

    From the above formula, Yes, it is possible for retained earnings to be negative. Negative earnings occur when the cumulative dividend payout is higher than the earnings made by a company during the year. This results in a negative balance as per the formula.

    Negative Retained earnings indicate a number of concerning facts about a company:

    • That the company is experiencing Long term losses.
    • That there are chances for the company to go into bankruptcy.
    • That the company may be paying out dividends to the shareholders from borrowed finance.

     

    Positive Retained Earnings

    When a company is said to have positive retained earnings, the company has several advantages. The company has excess profit to hold on to. This helps in expansion and also acts as a safety net in case of unforeseen expenses. Hence if a company shows positive Retained earnings it can be interpreted that the company is profitable.

    However, higher retained earnings mean the distribution of lesser dividends to shareholders. This makes the company look less attractive to investors. Another reason for high retained earnings could be that the company has not found any profitable investment for its earnings.

    Therefore, there should be adequate retained earnings with the company but at the same time, keep a check that the amount of retained earnings does not exceed a limit.

    See less
    • 0
Anushka Lalwani
Anushka Lalwani
In: >

  2. AbhishekBatabyal Helpful Pursuing CA, BCOM (HONS)

    Interest on capital is the interest provided on the capital invested in the business. It is calculated as a percentage on the capital invested. Interest on capital is provided if there is any rule established by the owner of the capital. Otherwise, it is not provided. We generally encounter ‘InteresRead more

    Interest on capital is the interest provided on the capital invested in the business. It is calculated as a percentage on the capital invested. Interest on capital is provided if there is any rule established by the owner of the capital. Otherwise, it is not provided.

    We generally encounter ‘Interest on capital’ in partnership accounting but a sole proprietorship can also provide interest on capital.

    Interest on capital is charged or appropriated from the profits of the firm. Hence, it appears on the debit side of the profit and loss account.

    The journal entry is as follows:

    The partners, in case the firm makes profit, are provided interest on their capital balance apart from their share of profit if provision of interest on capital is mentioned in the partnership deed.

    Hence, interest on capital is an appropriation of profit in partnership accounting. The journal in case of partnership account is as follows:

    The Interest on capital is credited to the capital/ partners’ capital account thereby increasing the capital balance.  The journal is as follows:

    In the balance sheet it is shown as an addition to the capital account.

    Numerical example

    P, Q and R are partners. Their firm reported a net profit of ₹ 20,000. Their capitals are ₹30,000, ₹45,000 and ₹60,000. It is in their partnership deed to provide the partners 4% interest on capital and a salary of ₹5,000 per annum for Q. Calculate the interest on capital.

    Solution:

    Interest on capital to be provided to the partners:

    P – ₹30,000 x 6% = ₹1,800

    Q – ₹45,000 x 6% = ₹2,700

    R – ₹60,000 x 6% = ₹3,600

    This interest will be credited to the partners’ capital. The journals are as follows:

    See less
    • 0
Bonnie
BonnieCurious
In: >

  2. Naina@123 (B.COM and CMA-Final)
    This answer was edited.

    To proceed with how to make a partnership deed, let me explain to you in short what is partnership deed? A partnership deed is the written agreement between the partners who have agreed to share profits of a business carried on by them. This basically contains terms and conditions to be followed betRead more

    To proceed with how to make a partnership deed, let me explain to you in short what is partnership deed?

    A partnership deed is the written agreement between the partners who have agreed to share profits of a business carried on by them. This basically contains terms and conditions to be followed between the partners.

    Few contents of the partnership deed are as follows:

    • Name, address, and type of business of the partnership firm.
    • Name & address of all the partners
    • Profit-sharing ratio.
    • Rights, duties, and liabilities of all partners.
    • Date of commencement of the partnership
    • Method of settlement of dispute among the partners.
    • Treatment of loss in case of insolvency of one or more partners.

     

    Generally, a partnership deed contains all those matters which can affect the relationship between the partners. However, if there is no such agreement the partnership should follow the provisions mentioned under The Partnership Act, 1932.

    Now coming to the main question how to make a partnership deed? See the process is not so complicated. The partnership deed may be oral or written, but as the oral agreement has no value for obtaining tax benefits, a partnership firm always prefers a written agreement.

    To prepare the same the partnership deed must be prepared on a stamp paper and signed by all the partners as per Indian Stamp Act and copies of the same should be with all the partners and also must be filed by the registrar of the firm.

    A deed may vary depending on the nature of the partnership they are engaged in. Generally, partnerships are of three types

    • General partnership
    • Limited partnership
    • Limited liability partnership

    the process of making deed is same for all but, the content of deed may vary depending on the liability of partners in the partnership.

    Further to know more about the registration process of partnership firm you can refer the following link https://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/actsbills/pdf/Partnership_Act_1932.pdf

    See less
    • 0
A_Team
A_Team
In: >

  2. Akash Kumar AK
    This answer was edited.

    Generally, Assets are classified into two types. Non-Current Assets Current Assets   Non-Current Asset Noncurrent assets are also known as Fixed assets. These assets are an organization's long-term investments that are not easily converted to cash or are not expected to become cash within an acRead more

    Generally, Assets are classified into two types.

    1. Non-Current Assets
    2. Current Assets

     

    Non-Current Asset

    Noncurrent assets are also known as Fixed assets. These assets are an organization’s long-term investments that are not easily converted to cash or are not expected to become cash within an accounting year.

    In general terms, In accounting, fixed assets are assets that cannot be converted into cash immediately. They are primarily tangible assets used in production having a useful life of more than one accounting period. Unlike current assets or liquid assets, fixed assets are for the purpose of deriving long-term benefits.

    Unlike other assets, fixed assets are written off differently as they provide long-term income. They are also called “long-lived assets” or “Property Plant & Equipment”.

     

    Examples of Fixed Assets

    • Land
    • Land improvement (e.g. irrigation)
    • Building
    • Building (work in progress)
    • Machinery
    • Vehicles
    • Furniture
    • Computer hardware
    • Computer software
    • Office equipment
    • Leasehold improvements (e.g. air conditioning)
    • Intangible assets like trademarks, patents, goodwill, etc. (non-current assets)

     

    Valuation of Fixed asset

    fixed assets are recorded at their net book value, which is the difference between the “historical cost of the asset” and “accumulated depreciation”.

    “Net book value = Historical cost of the asset – Accumulated depreciation”

     

    Example:

    Hasley Co. purchases Furniture for their company at a price of 1,00,000. The Furniture has a constant depreciation of 10,000 per year. So, after 5 years, the net book value of the computer will be recorded as

    1,00,000 – (5 x 10,000) = 50,000.

    Therefore, the furniture value should be shown as 50,000 on the balance sheet.

     

    Presentation in the Balance Sheet

    Both current assets and non-current assets are shown on the asset side(Right side) of the balance sheet.

     

    Difference between Current Asset and Non-Current Asset

    Current assets are the resources held for a short period of time and are mainly used for trading purposes whereas Fixed assets are assets that last for a long time and are acquired for continuous use by an entity.

    The purpose to spend on fixed assets is to generate income over the long term and the purpose of the current assets is to spend on fixed assets to generate income over the long term.

    At the time of the sale of fixed assets, there is a capital gain or capital loss but at the time of the sale of current assets, there is an operating gain or operating loss.

    The main difference between the fixed asset and current asset is, although both are shown in the balance sheet fixed assets are depreciated every year and it is valued by (the cost of the asset – depreciation) and current asset is valued as per their current market value or cost value, whichever is lower.

     

    See less
    • 0
A_Team
A_Team
In: >

  2. Simerpreet Helpful CMA Inter qualified
    This answer was edited.

    Specimen of Ledger account This is the specimen of a ledger account. J.F. here represents the journal folio. A Ledger account is an account that consists of all the business transactions that take place during the current financial year. For Example, cash, bank, machinery, A/c receivable account, etRead more

    Specimen of Ledger account

    This is the specimen of a ledger account. J.F. here represents the journal folio.

    A Ledger account is an account that consists of all the business transactions that take place during the current financial year.

    For Example, cash, bank, machinery, A/c receivable account, etc.

    After the financial data is recorded in the Journal. It is then classified according to the nature of accounts viz. Asset, liability, expenses, revenue, and capital to be posted in the ledger account.

    With this head, the identification as to whether the opening balance will come under the debit side or the credit side is done.

    The table below would help to understand the concept of opening balance in the ledger.

    For further clarification of the concept let me give you a practical example.

    Suppose, a manufacturing firm Amul purchased machinery for, say, Rs 2,50,000. The installation charges were Rs 25,000 and the opening balance of machinery during the year was Rs 5,00,000.

    So as the machinery account comes under the category assets, its opening balance would come under the debit side of the ledger account.

    And as purchase and installation charges mean expenses for the firm, they would also come under the debit side of the account.

    And in case of any sale of a part of the machinery, it would be posted on the credit side of the account as the sales would generate revenue for the firm.

    See less
    • 0
Naina@123
Naina@123
In: >

  2. prashant06 B.com, CMA pursuing
    This answer was edited.

    First, let us understand the meaning of a provision of depreciation. It is nothing but the total collection of all the depreciation over the years. This account is not like a normal account but a contra asset account. It is also called accumulated depreciation. Annual depreciation charged is an expeRead more

    First, let us understand the meaning of a provision of depreciation. It is nothing but the total collection of all the depreciation over the years. This account is not like a normal account but a contra asset account. It is also called accumulated depreciation.

    Annual depreciation charged is an expense for the business and hence has a debit balance. Whereas provision for depreciation as a contra asset account has a credit balance.

    The journal entry for provision for depreciation is

    Depreciation A/c                                                      ……….Dr XXX
               To Provision for depreciation XXX

    Explaining the credit nature of this account. As we know that the depreciation is an expense for the business hence as per modern rules “Debit all the expenses and losses and credit all incomes and gains” therefore it is debited whereas the provision of depreciation is contra account it has a credit balance as it reduces the value of assets. So according to modern rule, we know a decrease in assets has a credit balance, hence shown in a negative balance on the balance sheet under long-term assets.

    With the preparation of this account, we do not credit depreciation in the asset account but transfer every year to the accumulated depreciation account, and when assets are disposed of or sold we credit the ‘total’ of the provision on depreciation to the credit of the asset account just to calculate the actual profit or loss on a sale of the asset.

     

    See less
    • 0
Manvi
Manvi
In: >

  2. Ayushi Curious Pursuing CA
    This answer was edited.

    The profit and loss appropriation account is an account created in addition to the Trading & Profit and loss account in the case of partnership firms. It is a nominal account. The net profit or loss from the Profit and loss account is transferred to the Capital A/c when we do the accounting of sRead more

    The profit and loss appropriation account is an account created in addition to the Trading & Profit and loss account in the case of partnership firms. It is a nominal account.

    The net profit or loss from the Profit and loss account is transferred to the Capital A/c when we do the accounting of sole proprietors.

    But, while doing the accounting of partnership, there is a need to appropriate this profit or loss as there are two or more partners’ capital accounts. So, for this purpose, the Profit and loss appropriation account is created.

    The net profit or loss is appropriated among the partner’s capital after adjustment the items like partner’s salary, commission, interest on capital, interest on drawing etc. It consists of items related to the partner’s claim.

    The format of the profit and loss appropriation account is as below:

    Let solve a problem to sharpen our concept:

    A and B are partners in firm sharing profits and losses in the ratio of 4:1. On 1st January 2019, their capitals were ₹ 20,000 and ₹ 10,000 respectively. The partnership deed specifies the following:

    1. Interest on capital is to be allowed at 5% per annum.
    2. Interest on drawings charged to A and B are ₹ 200 and ₹ 300 respectively.
    3. The net profit of the firm before considering interest on capital and interest on drawings amounted to ₹ 18,000.
    4. A is to be paid an annual salary of ₹2000

    Prepare Profit and loss appropriation account for the year ending 31st December 2019.

    Solution:

    See less
    • 0
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
A_Team
A_Team
In: >

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

    Definition Bad debts are a debt owed to an enterprise that is considered to be irrecoverable or we can say that it is owed to the business that is written off because it is irrecoverable. Sometimes debtors are unable to pay the amount due either partially or fully. the amount that is not receivableRead more

    Definition

    Bad debts are a debt owed to an enterprise that is considered to be irrecoverable or we can say that it is owed to the business that is written off because it is irrecoverable.

    Sometimes debtors are unable to pay the amount due either partially or fully. the amount that is not receivable is a loss and is called bad debt.

    Bad debts are neither assets nor liabilities they are expenses that are debited to the profit and loss account and reduced from debtors in the balance sheet.

    For example loans from banks are declared as bad debt, sales made on credit and amounts not received from customers, etc.

     

    Related terms

    So there are a few related terms whose meanings you should know

    • Further bad debts :
      • It means the amount of sundry debtors in the trial balance is before the deduction of bad debts. in this situation, entry for further bad debts is also passed into the books of account.
      • That is bad debts are debited and the debtor’s account is credited. And the accounting treatment for them is the same as bad debts which I have shown you above.

     

    • Bad debts recovered :
      • It may happen that the amount written off as bad debts are recovered fully or partially.
      • In that case, the amount is not credited to the debtor’s (personal) account but is credited to the bad debts recovered account because the amount recovered had been earlier written off as a loss.
      • Thus amount recovered is a ‘gain’  and is credited to the profit and loss account.

     

    Accounting methods

    There are two methods for accounting for bad debts which are mentioned below:-

    • First, is the direct written-off method which states that bad debts will be directly treated as expenses and expensed to the income statement, which is called the profit and loss account.

     

    • Second, is the allowance method which means we create provisions for doubtful debts accounts and the debtor’s account remains as it is since the debtor’s account and provision for doubtful debts account are two separate accounts.

     

      • Debts that are doubtful of recovery are provided estimating the debts that may not be recovered .amount debited to the profit and loss account reduces the current year’s profit and the amount of provision is carried forward to the next year.
      • Next year, when debts actually become bad debts and are written off, the amount of bad debts is transferred ( debited ) to the provision for doubtful debts account.
      • The amount of bad debts is not debited to the profit and loss account since it was already debited in earlier years.
      • Provision for doubtful debts is shown in the debit side of the profit and loss account as well as shown as a deduction from sundry debtors in the assets side of the balance sheet. 

     

    Accounting treatment

    Now let me try to explain to you the accounting treatment for bad debts which is as follows :

    • Balance sheet

     

      • In the balance sheet either it can be shown on the asset side under the head, current assets by reducing from that specific assets.
      • For example, if credit sales are made to a customer who says it’s not recoverable or is partially recoverable then the amount is bad debt. It’s a loss for the business and credited to the personal account of debtors or we can say reduced from debtor those are current assets of the balance sheet.

     

    • Profit and loss account

     

      • Bad debts are treated as expenses and debited to the profit and loss account.
      • For example, as I have explained above, before transferring to the balance sheet, bad debt will be debited to the profit and loss account as an expense.

    Now let me show you the extract of the profit and loss account and balance sheet showing bad debts and bad debts recovered which are as follows:-

    See less
    • 0
Manvi
Manvi
In: >

  2. Karan B.com and Pursuing ACCA
    This answer was edited.

    The provision for doubtful debts is the estimated amount of bad debts which will be uncollectible in the future. It is usually calculated as a percentage of debtors. The provision for a doubtful debt account has a credit balance and is shown in the balance sheet as a deduction from debtors. It is aRead more

    The provision for doubtful debts is the estimated amount of bad debts which will be uncollectible in the future. It is usually calculated as a percentage of debtors. The provision for a doubtful debt account has a credit balance and is shown in the balance sheet as a deduction from debtors. It is a contra asset account which means an account with a credit balance.

    When a business first sets up a provision for doubtful debts, the full amount of the provision should be debited to bad debts expense as follows.

    Bad Debts A/c Debit Debit the increase in expense.
          To Provision for Doubtful Debts A/c Credit Credit the increase in liability.

    In subsequent years, when provision is increased the account is credited, and when provision is decreased the account is debited. This is so because provision for doubtful debts is a contra account to debtors and has a credit balance, and is treated as a liability.

    Effects of Provision for Doubtful Debts in financial statements:

    1. Trading A/c: No effect.
    2. Profit and Loss A/c: Debited to P&L A/c and charged as an expense.
    3. Balance Sheet: Deducted from Debtors.

    For example, ABC Ltd had debtors amounting to Rs 50,000. It creates a provision of 5% on debtors.

    Provision for Doubtful Debts = 50,000*5%

    = 2,500

    Journal entry for provision will be:

    Bad Debts A/c 2,500
          To Provision for Doubtful Debts A/c 2,500

    Effect on financial statements will be:

    See less
    • 0

Most Helping Users

Astha

Astha

Leader
Simerpreet

Simerpreet

Helpful
AbhishekBatabyal

AbhishekBatabyal

Helpful