Definition Not-for-profit organizations are also known as non-profit organizations set up to further cultural, educational, religious, professional, or public service objectives. Its aim is not to earn profit Accounting done by non-profit organizations is fund based. Type of accounting Non-pRead more
Definition
Not-for-profit organizations are also known as non-profit organizations set up to further cultural, educational, religious, professional, or public service objectives. Its aim is not to earn profit
Accounting done by non-profit organizations is fund based.
Type of accounting
Non-profit organizations do Fund Based Accounting.
Donations received or funds set aside for specific purposes are credited to a separate fund account and are shown on the liabilities side of the balance sheet.
The income from or donations for these funds are credited to the respective fund account. On the other hand, expenses or payments out of these funds are debited.
Accounting when done on this basis is known as Fund Based Accounting.
Let me explain to you with an example :
The sports fund has a balance of Rs 100000 which is invested as a fixed deposit in a bank earning 8% interest. A further donation of Rs 10000 is received towards it. Expenses incurred towards prizes are Rs 7000; Rs 3000 towards trophies and Rs 4000 distribution of cash prizes. The accounts are shown as follows :
Categories of funds
In the case of non-profit organizations, funds may be classified under the following heads :
Unrestricted fund :
The unrestricted fund does not carry any restriction with respect to its use. In other words, management can use the amounts in the funds as it deems appropriate, but to carry out the purpose for which the organization exists.
This is known as the general fund or the capital fund to which the surplus for the year is added and in case of deficit, deducted.
Restricted fund :
A restricted fund is a fund, the use of which is restricted either by the management or by the donor for a specific purpose.
Examples of such funds are endowment funds, annuity funds, loan funds, prize funds, sports funds, etc.
- Government grant: grant received from the government for a specific purpose is restricted to be used for the purpose it is granted. It is accounted for in the books following fund-based accounting.
- For example, a grant received from the government for ‘the polio eradication program is credited to the polio eradication fund, and income earned relating to the fund is credited to the fund while expenses are debited.
- Endowment fund: it’s a fund usually a non-profit organization, arising from a bequest or gift, the income of which is devoted to a specific purpose.
- Annuity fund: an annuity fund is established when a non-profit organization receives assets from a donor with a condition to pay
- Loan fund: loan fund is set up to grant loans for specific purposes say loans to pursue higher studies.
- A fixed assets fund is a fund earmarked for investment in fixed assets or already invested in fixed assets.
- Prize funds: it is a fund set up to use for distribution as prizes say for achievements or contributions to the welfare of society.
The profit earned by an entity is determined through the profit and loss account. All the expenses are recorded on the debit side of the profit and loss account while all the incomes are recorded on the credit side. The profit is shown as the credit balance of profit and loss A/c. When the sum of itRead more
The profit earned by an entity is determined through the profit and loss account. All the expenses are recorded on the debit side of the profit and loss account while all the incomes are recorded on the credit side.
The profit is shown as the credit balance of profit and loss A/c. When the sum of items on the debit side of a profit and loss account is less than the sum of those on the credit side, it implies profit while when the sum of the items on the credit side is less than the sum of those on the debit side, it implies a loss for the entity.
The Reason for Credit
Profit is recorded as an increase in equity
To understand the reason why profit is recorded as a credit balance, we must first understand the basic principle of debit and credit.
The basic principle of debits and credits is that debits increase asset accounts and decrease liability and equity accounts while credits decrease asset accounts and increase liability and equity accounts.
The revenue that a company earns is credited to the income account and increases equity.
The expenses that a company incurs to earn that revenue are debited to the expense account and decrease equity.
The difference between revenue and expenses is the profit, which is recorded as an increase in equity.
Increase in equity due to revenue – decrease in equity due to expense = profit
Gross Profit Vs Net Profit
Revenue is the total income that a business or profession earns. Profit is the excess revenue that remains after reducing all expenses from it.
Gross profit is the profit that a company earns after reducing the cost of goods sold from sales revenue while net profit is the profit that a business earns after reducing the total of all its direct and indirect expenses from its direct as well as indirect allowable business income.
Conclusion
The basic principle of debit and credit governs the classification of profit as a debit or credit. Since profit increases our equity, it is a credit.
In the case of a company, it belongs to the shareholders. It is usually recorded in the retained earnings account. Profit can be reinvested in the business or can be distributed as a dividend. In the case of a sole proprietorship, the profit belongs to the owner and is recorded in the owner’s capital account.
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