Meaning A valuation account is a balance sheet account that is paired with another balance sheet account to report the carrying amount of the paired account at a reduced value. The purpose of a valuation account is to reduce the balance of the concerned asset or liability without affecting the mainRead more
Meaning
A valuation account is a balance sheet account that is paired with another balance sheet account to report the carrying amount of the paired account at a reduced value.
The purpose of a valuation account is to reduce the balance of the concerned asset or liability without affecting the main ledger account. This is a conservative approach to use valuation accounts to present the value of the concerned asset or liability at a reduced value.
The most common example of a valuation account is the ‘Provision for doubtful debts account’. It appears in the balance sheet as a reduction from the debtors’ accounts. Also when the amount is transferred to this provision, it appears in the statement of profit and loss account. But it doesn’t appear in the debtors’ account ledger.
Treatment
A valuation account appears only in the balance sheet. Sometimes, it also appears in the profit and loss account when any amount is transferred to it.
Valuation accounts are only used in accrual accounting. They cannot be used in cash-based accounting as there is no flow of cash related to valuation accounts.
They have a balance opposite of their paired accounts i.e. if their paired account is an asset then they will have a credit balance and if it is a liability then they will have a debit balance.
Other Examples of valuation accounts are as follows:
- Provision for doubtful debts (offsets the account receivables or debtors’ account)
- Accumulated depreciation (report the assets net of depreciation)
- Discount on bonds payable (reduces the reporting balance of bond payable account)








Meaning Capital assets mean the assets which are used in the business operations to generate revenue. The benefit from these assets is expected to flow to the enterprise beyond the time span of one year. Capital assets are commonly called fixed assets. Examples of capital assets are plant, machineryRead more
Meaning
Capital assets mean the assets which are used in the business operations to generate revenue. The benefit from these assets is expected to flow to the enterprise beyond the time span of one year. Capital assets are commonly called fixed assets.
Examples of capital assets are plant, machinery, land, building, vehicles etc.
To expense the capital assets for the economic benefits they provide, they are depreciated over their useful life on some equitable basis.
When capital assets are sold, the gain on sale is credited to the capital reserve account. On loss, it is simply debited to the profit and loss account. Capital assets are shown under the heading ‘Plant, Property and Equipment’ under the asset head of the balance sheet.
Assets that do not qualify as capital assets
The assets which provide economic benefits for less than a year do not qualify as capital assets. Such as inventories, accounts receivables etc. are not capital assets.
Also, those assets which are not intended to be held for more than 1 year are not capital assets even if such assets are capable of providing economic benefits for more than 1 year. Such assets will be considered current assets.
For example, if a plot of land is purchased by a business but the intention is to sell it after 2 months then such land will not be considered a capital asset.
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