AccountingQA Latest Questions

Radha
Radha
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  2. AbhishekBatabyal Helpful Pursuing CA, BCOM (HONS)
    This answer was edited.

    The term ‘contra’ means opposite or against. In financial accounting, we encounter the term ‘contra’ in: Contra accounts Contra entries The meaning of contra in the above mention terms is also the same as their general meaning. Contra accounts mean the account which is opposite of the account it corRead more

    The term ‘contra’ means opposite or against. In financial accounting, we encounter the term ‘contra’ in:

    • Contra accounts
    • Contra entries

    The meaning of contra in the above mention terms is also the same as their general meaning. Contra accounts mean the account which is opposite of the account it corresponds to.

    Contra entries are entries of the debit and credit aspects related to the same parent account.  Let’s discuss them in detail.

    Contra accounts

    Any account which is created with the purpose of reducing or offsetting the balance of another account is known as a contra account.

    A contra account is just the opposite of the account to which it relates. The most common examples are the sales discount account and sales return account which is the contra account of the sales account.  They are just the opposite of the sales accounts.

    Contra Entries

    Contra entries refer to the entries which show the movement of the amount within the same parent account. Here, the debit and credit entry is posted on the debit and credit side respectively of a single parent account.  Mainly, contra entries are the entries involving cash and bank accounts.

    The following transactions are recorded as contra entries:

    • Cash to Bank transactions: Deposit of cash into the bank account by the entity.
    • Bank to Cash transactions: Withdrawal of cash from the bank.
    • Cash to cash transactions: Transfer of cash to the petty cash account.
    • Bank to Bank transactions: Transfer of amounts from one bank account to other bank accounts of the same entity.

    Contra entries are marked by the letter ‘C’ beside the postings in the ledger. Deposit of cash in to bank will be posted in cashbook as below:

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Radha
Radha
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  2. Rahul_Jose Aspiring CA currently doing Bcom

    The term set off in English means to offset something against something else. It thereby refers to reducing the value of an item. In accounting terms, when a debtor can reduce the amount owed to a creditor by cancelling the amount owed by the creditor to the debtor, it is termed as set off. It is coRead more

    The term set off in English means to offset something against something else. It thereby refers to reducing the value of an item. In accounting terms, when a debtor can reduce the amount owed to a creditor by cancelling the amount owed by the creditor to the debtor, it is termed as set off.

    It is commonly used by banks where they seize the amount in a customer’s account to set off the amount of loan unpaid by the customer.

    Types

    There are various types of set-offs as given below:

    • Transaction set-off – This is where a debtor can simply reduce the amount he is owed from the amount he owes to the creditor.
    • Contractual set-off – Sometimes, a debtor agrees to not set off any amount and hence he would have to pay the entire amount to the creditor even if the creditor owed some amount to the debtor.
    • Insolvency set-off – These rules are mandatory and have to be followed under the Insolvency rules 2016.
    • Bankers set-off – Here, the bank sets off the amount of a customer with another account of the customer.

    Example

    Let’s say Divya owes Rs 20,000 to Sherin for the purchase of goods. But, Sherin owed Rs 6,000 to Divya already for use of her Machinery. Therefore, the amount of 6,000 can be set off against the 20,000 owed to Sherin and hence Divya would effectively owe Sherin Rs 14,000.

    This helps in reducing the number of transactions and unnecessary flow of cash.

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Radha
Radha
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  2. AbhishekBatabyal Helpful Pursuing CA, BCOM (HONS)

    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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Radha
Radha
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  2. PriyanshiGupta Graduated, B.Com
    This answer was edited.

    Yes, Capital Work in Progress is Tangible Asset. To attain an understanding of the same, we first need to understand what are tangible assets. Assets that have a physical existence, that is they can be seen, touched are called Tangible Assets. Capital work in progress is the cost incurred on fixed aRead more

    Yes, Capital Work in Progress is Tangible Asset.

    To attain an understanding of the same, we first need to understand what are tangible assets. Assets that have a physical existence, that is they can be seen, touched are called Tangible Assets.

    Capital work in progress is the cost incurred on fixed assets that are under construction as on the balance sheet date. Since the asset cannot be used for operation it cannot be classified as a Fixed Asset.

    For example:

    If an asset takes 1.5 years to be constructed as on 1.4.2020 then on the balance sheet date 31.3.2021, the cost incurred on the asset will be classified as Capital Work in Progress.

    Common examples of Capital Work in Progress include immovable assets like Plant and Machinery, Buildings.

    It is shown under the head Non-Current Assets in the balance sheet. Examples of cost included in Capital Work in Progress can be:

    • Advance payment to the contractor
    • Material used/purchased
    • Cost of labor incurred, etc.

    Since the assets under the head Capital Work in Progress are in the process of completion and not completed, hence they are not depreciable until completed. Once the asset is completed it is moved under the head Fixed Assets.

    Capital Work in Progress is shown in the Balance Sheet as:

     

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Radha
Radha
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  2. Rahul_Jose Aspiring CA currently doing Bcom
    This answer was edited.

    Capital Work in Progress refers to the total cost incurred on a fixed asset that is still undergoing construction as on the balance sheet date. These costs are not allowed to be used as an operating asset until the asset is ready to use. Until the construction of the asset is completed, the costs arRead more

    Capital Work in Progress refers to the total cost incurred on a fixed asset that is still undergoing construction as on the balance sheet date. These costs are not allowed to be used as an operating asset until the asset is ready to use. Until the construction of the asset is completed, the costs are recorded as capital work in progress.

    Depreciation is the systematic allocation of the cost of an asset over its useful life. Depreciation is charged on an asset from the date it is ready to use. Since Capital Work in Progress is not yet ready to use, depreciation cannot be charged on it.

    Example

    If a company owns a Machinery worth Rs. 45,000 out of which Rs. 15,000 is part of capital work in progress, then depreciation on such machinery would be calculated only on the part of machinery that is ready to use that is Rs. 30,000 (45,000-15,000).

    When an asset is undergoing construction, the journal entry for each expense would be recorded as

    Further, when all construction of the above asset is completed, it is transferred to fixed asset account. This would be recorded as

    After transfer to Fixed Asset account, depreciation can be calculated and shown as below

    If the construction of an asset is complete but has not been put to use till now, depreciation is still calculated as it is ready for use. It can be done through various methods like straight-line method, written down value method etc.

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Radha
Radha
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  2. Rahul_Jose Aspiring CA currently doing Bcom
    This answer was edited.

    When a loan is taken from a person by a business, there is an asset and liability being created. Cash is being brought into the business which increases the asset whereas the financial obligation of the company rises when a loan is taken and hence a liability increases. For example, Mark Ltd. has taRead more

    When a loan is taken from a person by a business, there is an asset and liability being created. Cash is being brought into the business which increases the asset whereas the financial obligation of the company rises when a loan is taken and hence a liability increases.

    For example, Mark Ltd. has taken a loan from John for $5,000. Therefore the journal entry can be shown as:

    According to the modern rules of accounting, increase in assets is Debit and increase in liability is credit. The company may have taken the loan to finance its business or for some emergency. When it is time for the business to pay off the loan, they can either pay it off completely or in instalments. They must pay off the principal amount along with interest.

    Now for our above example, if Mark Ltd paid off the entire loan after one year at 10% interest, then the journal entry would be:

    Here, the interest on loan account is debited since an increase in expense is debited. Loan account will be debited because the obligation is now reduced and hence liability decreases. Finally, we credit cash since cash is leaving the business which implies a decrease in assets.

    If the entire loan is not paid off in that year, then the balance of the loan amount will be shown in the balance sheet under the head liabilities.

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Radha
Radha
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  2. Manvi Pursuing ACCA
    This answer was edited.

    The principal book of accounting is “Ledger”. It records all types of transactions relating to a real, personal or nominal account. It records transactions relating to an income, expense, asset or a liability. A ledger classifies a transaction which is recorded in journal to their respective accountRead more

    The principal book of accounting is “Ledger”. It records all types of transactions relating to a real, personal or nominal account. It records transactions relating to an income, expense, asset or a liability.

    A ledger classifies a transaction which is recorded in journal to their respective accounts, and in the end calculates a closing balance for the same account. The closing balance is further transferred to the financial statements, and hence ledger is called the books of final entry as it gives true and fair picture of an account.

    Template of Ledger:

     

    For example, ABC Ltd purchased machinery for cash amounting to Rs 1,00,000 on 1st January. This transaction will include a machinery account and a cash account. The amount will be recorded in the respective accounts for that period.

    The reason being ledger is called a principal book of accounting is, it helps a business in preparation of trial balance and financial statements.

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Radha
Radha
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  2. AbhishekBatabyal Helpful Pursuing CA, BCOM (HONS)
    This answer was edited.

    Brief Introduction The stock of finished goods left unsold at the end of the year is known as closing stock. As closing stock represent an asset i.e. the unsold finished goods,  it has a debit balance. Closing stock appears on the credit side of the trading account and on the asset side of the balanRead more

    Brief Introduction

    The stock of finished goods left unsold at the end of the year is known as closing stock. As closing stock represent an asset i.e. the unsold finished goods,  it has a debit balance.

    Closing stock appears on the credit side of the trading account and on the asset side of the balance sheet. But, if closing stock is adjusted against purchase i.e. deducted from purchase account balance, then it doesn’t appear in the trading account.

    It is always shown on the asset of the balance irrespective of its treatment as discussed above because it is an asset.

    Though no ledger is maintained for closing stock in financial accounts of a business, the journal entry for the closing stock is passed and is as below:

    Closing stock A/c     Dr    Amt

      To Trading A/c                    Amt

    (When the closing stock appears in trading a/c)

    OR

    Closing stock A/c     Dr       Amt

      To Purchase A/c                   Amt

    (When closing stock is adjusted against purchase A/c and not shown in trading a/c)

    Generally, the closing stock is shown separately in the trial balance because it is already part of the purchase account balance.

    Closing stock is ascertained at the end of the financial year and it has great importance as it directly affects the gross profit or loss of a business. Closing stock at end of a year becomes the opening stock of the next financial year.

    Numerical Example

    ABC trading reported the following particulars at the end of the financial year 20X2-20X3:

    We will draw the trading and P/L account and balance sheet of ABC Trading using the above information.

    As the closing stock is not given, we will calculate the closing stock as a balancing figure.

    It can be also calculated using this formula:

    Closing stock = Opening stock + Purchase + Gross Profit – Sales

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Radha
Radha
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Sacrificing Ratio
  2. Rahul_Jose Aspiring CA currently doing Bcom
    This answer was edited.

    When a partnership firm consisting of some partners, decide to admit a new partner into their firm, they have to forego a part of their share for the new partner. Therefore, sacrificing Ratio is the proportion in which the existing partners of a company give up a part of their share to give to the nRead more

    When a partnership firm consisting of some partners, decide to admit a new partner into their firm, they have to forego a part of their share for the new partner. Therefore, sacrificing Ratio is the proportion in which the existing partners of a company give up a part of their share to give to the new partner. The partners can choose to forego their shares equally or in an agreed proportion.

    Before admission of the new partner, the existing partners would be sharing their profits in the old ratio. Upon admission, the profit-sharing ratio would change to accommodate the new partner. This would give rise to the new ratio. Hence Sacrificing ratio can be calculated as:

    Sacrificing Ratio = Old Ratio – New Ratio

    For example, Tony and Steve are partners in a firm, sharing profits in the ratio of 3:2. They decide to admit Bruce into the partnership such that the new profit-sharing ratio is 2:1:2. Now, to calculate the sacrificing ratio of Tony and Steve, we subtract their new share from their old share.

    Tony’s Sacrifice = 3/5 – 2/5 = 1/5

    Steve’s Sacrifice = 2/5 – 1/5 = 1/5

    Therefore, the Sacrificing ratio of Tony and Steve is 1:1. This shows that Tony gave up 1/5th of his share while Steve also sacrificed 1/5th of his share.

    Calculation of sacrificing ratio is important in a partnership as it helps in measuring that portion of the share of existing partners that have to be sacrificed. This ensures a smooth reconstitution of the partnership. Since the old partners are foregoing a part of their share in profits, the new partner has to bring in some amount as goodwill to compensate for their loss.

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Radha
Radha
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Interest on investmentTrial Balance
  2. Rahul_Jose Aspiring CA currently doing Bcom
    This answer was edited.

    Interest on Investment is to be shown on the Credit side of a Trial Balance. Interest on investment refers to the income received on investment in securities. These securities can be shares, debentures etc. of another company. When one invests in securities, they are expected to receive a return onRead more

    Interest on Investment is to be shown on the Credit side of a Trial Balance.

    Interest on investment refers to the income received on investment in securities. These securities can be shares, debentures etc. of another company. When one invests in securities, they are expected to receive a return on investment (ROI).

    Since interest on investment is an income, it is shown on the credit side of the Trial Balance. This is based on the accounting rule that all increase in incomes are credited and all increase in expenses are debited. A Trial Balance is a worksheet where the balances of all assets, expenses and drawings are shown on the debit side while the balances of all liabilities, incomes and capital are shown on the credit side.

    For example, if Jack bought Corporate Bonds of Amazon, worth $50,000 with a 10% interest on investment, then the accounting treatment for interest on investment would be

    Cash/Bank A/C Dr     5,000
    To Interest on Investment in Corporate Bonds (Amazon) 5,000

    As per the above entry, since interest on investment is credited, it will show a credit balance and hence be shown on the credit side of the Trial Balance. Interest on investment account is not to be confused with an Investment account. Investment is an asset whereas interest on investment is an income.

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