AccountingQA Latest Questions

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
Jayesh Gupta
Jayesh GuptaCurious
In: >

  2. Kajal
    This answer was edited.

    Trading A/c is a Nominal A/c which follows the rule “Debit the expenses and losses, Credit the incomes and gains” So, the Credit side of Trading A/c shows income from the sale of goods. It includes Sales, Closing stock (if adjustment for it has not been made yet) and Gross Loss (if any).   TRADRead more

    Trading A/c is a Nominal A/c which follows the rule “Debit the expenses and losses, Credit the incomes and gains”

    So, the Credit side of Trading A/c shows income from the sale of goods. It includes Sales, Closing stock (if adjustment for it has not been made yet) and Gross Loss (if any).

     

    TRADING ACCOUNT

    Trading A/c is prepared for calculating the Gross Profit or Gross Loss arising from the trading activities of a business.

    Trading activities are mostly related to buying and selling of goods. However, in between buying and selling, a lot of activities are involved like transportation, warehousing, etc. So, all the expenses that are directly related to manufacturing or purchase of goods are also recorded in the Trading A/c.

     

    CREDIT SIDE OF TRADING ACCOUNT

    It includes,

    SALES – When goods are sold to earn a profit, it is called sales. It can be cash sales or credit sales.

    Suppose you are in the business of manufacturing and trading shirts. You sold shirts worth $ 20,000 during the year. This $20,000 is your sales.

    SALES RETURN – When the goods sold by you are returned by the customer, it is known as sales return. Sales return is deducted from the sales.

    Continuing with the above example, the customers returned shirts of $1,000 because they didn’t like them. This return is known as sales return or return inward (as goods are coming back i.e. in)

    CLOSING STOCK – Stock is nothing but goods that are either obtained for resale or manufactured for sale and are yet unsold on any particular date.

    The value of stock at the beginning of an accounting year is called Opening stock while the value of the stock at the end of an accounting year is called Closing stock.

    Closing stock is valued at cost price or market price whichever is less.

    It includes,

    1. Closing stock of raw materials
    2. Closing stock of semi-finished goods
    3. Closing stock of finished goods

    For example – On 31st March 2023, there was unused raw material worth $1,000 and shirts worth $5,000 remained unsold.

    So, we have Closing Stock of Raw material – $1,000

    Closing Stock of Finished Goods – $5,000

    Normally, the closing stock is given outside the Trial Balance because its valuation is made after accounts have been closed. It is incorporated in the books by transferring it to the Trading A/c. So, it is shown on the credit side of Trading A/c as well as on the assets side of the Balance sheet.

    However, if the closing stock is given inside the Trail Balance, it means that the closing stock must have already been deducted from the Purchases account. So, closing stock will only be shown on the assets side of the Balance sheet.

    GROSS LOSS – If purchases and direct expenses exceed sales, then it is a Gross loss. In other words, when Debit side > credit side.

     

    DEBIT SIDE OF TRADING ACCOUNT

    It includes

    OPENING STOCK – The value of the stock at the beginning of an accounting year is called Opening stock.

    The closing stock of the last year becomes the opening stock of the current year.

    PURCHASES – Goods that have been bought for resale or raw materials purchased for the manufacturing of the product are terms as Purchases. These goods must be related to the business you are doing. It includes cash as well as credit Purchases.

    PURCHASES RETURN – When goods bought are returned to the suppliers due to any reason. This is known as Purchase return. Purchase return is deducted from the Purchases.

    WAGES – Wages are paid to the workers who are directly engaged in the loading, unloading and production of goods.

    CARRIAGE or CARRIAGE INWARDS or FREIGHT – It refers to the cost of transporting goods from the supplier.

    MANUFACTURING EXPENSES – All expenses incurred in the manufacture of goods such as Coal, Gas, Fuel, Water, Power, Factory rent, Factory lighting etc.

    DOCK CHARGES – These are charged by port authorities when unloading goods at a dock or wharf. Such charges paid in connection with goods purchased are considered direct expenses and are debited to Trading a/c.

    IMPORT DUTY or CUSTOM DUTY – It is a tax collected on imports and specific exports by a country’s customs authorities.

    If import duty is paid on the import of goods, then they are shown on the Dr. side of the Trading A/c.

    ROYALTY – Royalty refers to the amount paid for the use of assets belonging to another person. It includes royalty for the use of intangible assets, such as copyrights, trademarks, or franchisee agreements. It is also paid for the use of natural resources, such as mining leases.

    Royalty is charged to the Trading A/c as it increases the cost of production.

    GROSS PROFIT – When sales exceed the amount of purchases and the expenses directly connected with such purchases i.e. when Credit side> Debit side.

    See less
    • 0
Sandy
Sandy
In: >

Fictitious AssetsFinancial Statements
  2. Nistha Pursuing B.COM H (B&F) and CMA
    This answer was edited.

    Fictitious assets can be defined as those fake assets which save revenue for the company. These do not exist physically but also do not qualify as intangible assets. These are merely the expenses or losses that are not fully written off in the accounting period in which they are incurred. These expeRead more

    Fictitious assets can be defined as those fake assets which save revenue for the company. These do not exist physically but also do not qualify as intangible assets. These are merely the expenses or losses that are not fully written off in the accounting period in which they are incurred. These expenses are amortized over a period of time.

    These assets do not have any realizable value except for the cash outflow. These are created to delay the recognition of the expense and defer it to future periods.

    Fictitious assets actually qualify as an expense but are treated as assets only for the fact that they are expected to give returns over a course of more than one year. Examples are Advertisement expenses, preliminary expense, etc.

    Treatment

    Fictitious assets are shown on the assets side of the balance sheet under the head miscellaneous expenditure. A part of these expenses are shown in the profit and loss statement and the remaining amount is carried forward to the following years.

    For example, a company Timber Ltd. incurs expenses relating to advertisement of its products worth 8,000,000 and this advertisement campaign can earn revenue for the company for around 10 years. Hence, such expense of 8,000,000 would be amortized over a period of 10 years.

    For the first year, an amount of 800,000 (8,000,000/10) would appear in the profit and loss statement as expense and the rest 7,200,000 would appear as advertisement expense under the Miscellaneous expenditure on the assets side of the balance sheet.

    For the second year, an amount of 800,000 (8,000,000/10) would appear in the profit and loss statement as expense and the rest 6,400,000 would appear as advertisement expense under the Miscellaneous expenditure on the assets side of the balance sheet. And so on.

    We can say that fictitious assets are deferred revenue expenditures as well as intangible assets. But goodwill, etc are not fictitious assets. Hence, all fictitious assets are intangible assets but all intangible assets are not fictitious assets.

    Common fictitious assets that could generally be seen are:

    • Advertisement expenses
    • Preliminary expenses
    • Discount allowed on the issue of shares
    • Loss incurred on issue of debentures
    • Underwriting Commission
    See less
    • 0
Aadil
AadilCurious
In: >

book value replacement value depreciable value market value

Depreciation
  2. Vijay Curious M.Com
    This answer was edited.

    The total depreciation of an asset cannot exceed its 3. depreciable value.  Depreciable value means the original cost of the asset minus its residual/salvage value. The asset's original cost is inclusive of the purchase price and other expenses incurred to make the asset operational. To put it simplRead more

    The total depreciation of an asset cannot exceed its 3. depreciable value. 

    Depreciable value means the original cost of the asset minus its residual/salvage value. The asset’s original cost is inclusive of the purchase price and other expenses incurred to make the asset operational. To put it simply,

    The accumulated depreciation on an asset can never exceed its depreciable value because depreciation is a gradual fall in the value of an asset over its useful life. Only a certain percentage of the asset’s book value/original cost is shown as depreciation every year. So, it is impossible/illogical for the accumulated depreciation of an asset to exceed its depreciable value.

    Let me show you an example to make it more understandable,

    Amazon installs machines to automate the job of packing orders. The original cost of the machine is $1,000,000. Now let’s assume,

    The estimated useful life of the machine – 10 years.

    Residual value at the end of 10 years – $50,000.

    Method of depreciation – Straight-line method.

    The depreciable value of the machine will be $950,000 (1,000,000 – 50,000). The depreciation for each year under SLM will be calculated as follows:

    Depreciation = (Original cost of the asset – Residual/Salvage Value) / (Useful life of the asset)

    Applying this formula, $95,000 (1,000,000 – 50,000/10) will be charged as depreciation every year. The accumulated depreciation at the end of 10 years will be $950,000 (95,000*10). As you can see, the accumulated depreciation ($950,000) of the machine does not exceed its depreciable value ($950,000).

    Thus, the total depreciation of an asset cannot be more than its depreciable value.

     

    See less
    • 0
Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
In: >

  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)
    See less
    • 0
Aadil
AadilCurious
In: >

  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:

    See less
    • 0
Anushka Lalwani
Anushka Lalwani
In: >

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.

    See less
    • 0
Aadil
AadilCurious
In: >

  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:

    See less
    • 0
AbhishekBatabyal
AbhishekBatabyalHelpful
In: >

  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:

    See less
    • 0
Aadil
AadilCurious
In: >

  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.

     

    See less
    • 0

Most Helping Users

Astha

Astha

Leader
Simerpreet

Simerpreet

Helpful
AbhishekBatabyal

AbhishekBatabyal

Helpful