AccountingQA Latest Questions

Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
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Working Capital
  2. Astha Leader Pursuing CA, BCom (Hons.)
    This answer was edited.

    Let us first understand what working capital is. Working capital means the funds available for the day-to-day operations of an enterprise. It is a measure of a company’s liquidity and short term financial health. They are cash or mere cash resources of a business concern. It also represents the exceRead more

    Let us first understand what working capital is.

    Working capital means the funds available for the day-to-day operations of an enterprise. It is a measure of a company’s liquidity and short term financial health. They are cash or mere cash resources of a business concern.

    It also represents the excess of current assets, such as cash, accounts receivable and inventories, over current liabilities, such as accounts payable and bank overdraft.

    working capital formula

    Sources of Working Capital

    Any transaction that increases the amount of working capital for a company is a source of working capital.

    Suppose, Amazon sells its goods for $1,000 when the cost is only $700. Then, the difference of $300 is the source of working capital as the increase in cash is greater than the decrease in inventory.

    Sources of working capital can be classified as follows:

    short term and long term sources of working capital

    Short Term Sources

    • Trade credit: Credit given by one business firm to the other arising from credit sales. It is a spontaneous source of finance representing credit extended by the supplier of goods and services.
    • Bills/Note payable: The purchaser gives a written promise to pay the amount of bill or invoice either on-demand or at a fixed future date to the seller or the bearer of the note.
    • Accrued expenses: It refers to the services availed by the firm, but the payment for which is yet to be done. It represents an interest-free source of finance.
    • Tax/Dividend provisions: It is a provision made out of current profits to meet the tax/dividend obligation. The time gap between provision made and payment of actual payment serves as a source of short-term finance during the intermediate period.
    • Cash Credit/Overdraft: Under this arrangement, the bank specifies a pre-determined limit for borrowings. The borrower can withdraw as required up to the specified limits.
    • Public deposit: These are unsecured deposits invited by the company from the public for a period of six months to 3 years.
    • Bills discounting: It refers to an activity wherein a discounted amount is released by the bank to the seller on purchase of the bill drawn by the borrower on their customers.
    • Short term loans: These loans are granted for a period of less than a year to fulfil a short term liquidity crunch.
    • Inter-corporate loans/deposits: Organizations having surplus funds invest with other organizations for up to six months at rates higher than that of banks.
    • Commercial paper: These are short term unsecured promissory notes sold at discount and redeemed at face value. These are issued for periods ranging from 7 to 360 days.
    • Debt factoring: It is an arrangement between the firm (the client) and a financial institution (the factor) whereby the factor collects dues of his client for a certain fee. In other words, the factor purchases its client’s trade debts at a discount.

    Long Term Sources

    • Retained profits: These are profits earned by a business in a financial year and set aside for further usage and investments.
    • Share Capital: It is the money invested by the shareholders in the company via purchase of shares floated by the company in the market.
    • Long term loans: These loans are disbursed for a period greater than 1 year to the borrower in his account in cash. Interest is charged on the full amount irrespective of the amount in use. These shareholders receive annual dividends against the money invested.
    • Debentures: These are issued by companies to obtain funds from the public in form of debt. They are not backed by any collateral but carry a fixed rate of interest to be paid by the company to the debenture holders.

    Another point I would like to add is that, although depreciation is recorded in expense and fixed assets accounts and does not affect working capital, it still needs to be accounted for when calculating working capital.

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Aadil
AadilCurious
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  2. Manvi Pursuing ACCA
    This answer was edited.

    The sole proprietorship is a business that is unincorporated and owned by a single person. The owner of the business invests capital in the business in the form of cash, any asset or stock, or in any other form. In, sole proprietorship owner and business are inseparable. Interest on capital is the aRead more

    The sole proprietorship is a business that is unincorporated and owned by a single person. The owner of the business invests capital in the business in the form of cash, any asset or stock, or in any other form. In, sole proprietorship owner and business are inseparable.

    Interest on capital is the amount paid by the entity/business to the owners. It is an expense to the business and income for the proprietor, and interest is adjusted in the owner’s capital account. It is calculated on an agreed percentage and for a certain period. It is paid before calculating net profit.

    If there is a loss, no interest will be paid on capital.

    Journal Entry for Interest on Capital in Sole Proprietorship:

    1. Interest on capital entry
    Interest on Capital A/c Debit Debit the increase in expense.
        To Owner’s Capital A/c Credit Credit the increase in income.

     

    2. Closing interest on capital account

    Profit and Loss A/c Debit Debit the increase in expense.
        To Interest on Capital A/c Credit Credit the increase in income.

    In sole proprietor’s Profit and Loss A/c interest will be recorded as an expense on the debit side and will be added to the owner’s capital in the Balance Sheet is considered as an adjustment to the capital account.

    For example, A invested Rs 1,00,000 in a business. He wants to adjust 5% interest on his capital, then the entry will be:

    1. Interest on capital entry
    Interest on Capital A/c 5,000
        To Owner’s Capital A/c 5,000

     

    2. Closing interest on capital account

    Profit and Loss A/c 5,000
        To Interest on Capital A/c 5,000

    In the case of a partnership, the treatment is the same as done in a sole proprietorship. The interest rate is agreed upon by the partners and is mentioned in the partnership deed. No interest is provided on the capitals of the partners if not mentioned in the deed.

    If in a particular period, the partnership firm incurs a loss, then no interest will be provided to the partners.

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

    Definition Net profit is defined as the excess of revenues over expenses during a particular period. For a business i.e. company/firm, it is a liability towards shareholders/promoters/partners/proprietors, etc. as it is their capital that has earned these profits. When the result of this computationRead more

    Definition

    Net profit is defined as the excess of revenues over expenses during a particular period.
    For a business i.e. company/firm, it is a liability towards shareholders/promoters/partners/proprietors, etc. as it is their capital that has earned these profits.

    When the result of this computation is negative it is called a net loss.

    Net profit may be shown before or after tax.

    Formula :
    Total Revenues – Expenses
    Or
    Total Revenues – Total Cost ( Implicit And Explicit Cost )

    Liabilities

    It means the amount owed (payable) by the business. liability towards the owners ( proprietor or partners ) of the business is termed an internal liability.

    On the other hand, liability towards outsiders, i.e., other than owners ( proprietors or partners ) is termed as an external liability. For example – taxes owned, trade payables, etc.
    For example creditors, bank overdrafts, etc.

    Assets

    An asset is a resource owned or controlled by a company and will benefit the business in current and future periods.
    In other words, it’s something that a company owns or controls and can use to generate profits today and in the future.

    For example – cash, building, etc.

    Why debtors are treated as a liability?

    Now let me explain to you why net profits are treated as a liability and not as an asset because of the following characteristics :

    • Net Profit shows the credit balance of the Profit And Loss Account.

    • It is treated directly in the balance sheet by adding or subtracting from the capital.

    • Net Profit is a measure of the profitability of the company after taking into consideration all costs incurred during the accounting period.

    • Net profit is the last line in an income statement and is the figure that concerns most people who use such a statement.

    • Net income is reported on the income statement (profit and loss account) and forms a key indicator of a company’s performance.

    Importance Of Net Profit

    Now I will let you know the importance of net profit which is as follows :

    Owners
    Net profit allows owners to calculate the tax to be paid and how much earnings need to be distributed to the business owners.

    Investors
    Investors need to see net profit as they need to access the risk before investing they basically judge the revenue-generating capacity of a firm based on net profit.

    Competitors
    For making the comparison competitors tend to look at the net profit of the company to know how are they performing in the industry so that they can build themselves strong.

    Creditors
    Creditors look at the net profit for the purpose of obtaining business loans or we can say that determines a prospective debtor’s capacity to pay future debts.

    Conclusion

    Now after the above explanation, we can say that,
    Net Profit is shown on the liability side as it belongs to shareholders so the company has to give it to shareholders so we are showing it under the liability side.

    Net Profit with respect to the company is a liability as it has to pay it to shareholders.

    Net Profit with respect to shareholders is an asset.

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Vijay
VijayCurious
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  2. Radha M.Com, NET
    This answer was edited.

    Outstanding expenses are those expenses that have been incurred during the accounting period but are yet to be paid. Basically, any expense which has become due for payment but is not paid will be called an outstanding expense. Outstanding expenses are treated as a liability as the business is yet tRead more

    Outstanding expenses are those expenses that have been incurred during the accounting period but are yet to be paid. Basically, any expense which has become due for payment but is not paid will be called an outstanding expense.

    Outstanding expenses are treated as a liability as the business is yet to make payment against them. Examples of outstanding expenses include outstanding rent, salary, wages, etc.

    At the end of the accounting year, outstanding expenses have to be accounted for in the book of accounts so that the financial statements reflect the accurate profit/loss of the business.

    Journal entry for recording outstanding expenses:

    Expense A/c Debit
       To Outstanding Expenses A/c Credit
    (Being expenses outstanding at the end of the year)

    The concerned expense A/c is debited as there is an increase in expenses. Outstanding expenses are a liability, hence they are credited.

    Let me give you a simple example,

    Max, a sole proprietor pays 1,00,000 as salary for his employees at the end of every month. Due to the Covid-19 lockdown, he could not pay his employees’ salaries for March month. So the salary for March (1,00,000) will be treated as an outstanding expense. The following entry is made to record outstanding salaries for the year.

    Salary A/c   1,00,000
       To Outstanding Salaries A/c   1,00,000
    (Being salaries outstanding at the end of the year)

    At the end of the year, outstanding salary will be adjusted in the P&L A/c and it will be shown as a Current Liability in the Balance Sheet.

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AbhishekBatabyal
AbhishekBatabyalHelpful
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  2. Ayushi Curious Pursuing CA

    Introduction A capital reduction account is an account used to pass entries related to the internal reconstruction of a company. During reconstruction, paid-up capital reduced is credited to this account; hence its name is capital reduction account. It is also known as the reconstruction account. TyRead more

    Introduction

    A capital reduction account is an account used to pass entries related to the internal reconstruction of a company. During reconstruction, paid-up capital reduced is credited to this account; hence its name is capital reduction account. It is also known as the reconstruction account.

    Type of account

    A capital reduction account is a temporary account open just to carry out internal reconstruction. It represents the sacrifices made by the shareholders, debenture holders and creditors. Also, any appreciation in the value of assets is credited to this account. It is closed to capital reduction when internal reconstruction is completed.

    Entries passed through capital reduction account

    When paid-up capital is cancelled.

    When paid-up capital is cancelled, the share capital account is debited and the capital reduction account is debited as share capital is getting reduced.

    Share Capital A/c Dr. Amt
    To Capital Reduction A/c Cr. Amt

    When assets and liabilities are revalued

    At the time of internal reconstruction, the gain or loss on revaluation is transferred to the capital reduction account instead of the revaluation reserve.

    Writing off of accumulated losses and intangible assets

    The credit balance of the capital reduction account is used to write off the accumulated losses and intangible assets like goodwill, patents etc which are unrepresented by capital. The capital reduction account is debited and profit and loss account and intangible assets accounts are credited.

    Capital Reduction A/c Dr. Amt
    To Profit and loss A/c Cr. Amt
    To Goodwill/ Patents A/c Cr. Amt

    Treatment in books of account

    The balance in the capital reduction account, whether debit or credit, it is transferred to the capital reduction account. Hence, it doesn’t appear on the balance sheet.

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Aditi
Aditi
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  2. Mehak
    This answer was edited.

    Every business requires research and development to create innovative products for consumers. More innovative and creative products and services are more popular among customers, leading to increased revenue and profits for the business. Creating new products or designing changes and testing existinRead more

    Every business requires research and development to create innovative products for consumers. More innovative and creative products and services are more popular among customers, leading to increased revenue and profits for the business.

    Creating new products or designing changes and testing existing products also forms a part of research and development.

    Examples of Research and Development costs are –

    1. Salaries of employees
    2. Cost of making prototypes
    3. Cost of raw material
    4. Overhead expenses

    Let us now understand how research and development costs are treated in Financial Statements.

    IAS-38

    IAS-38 majorly governs the accounting of research and development costs. There are two phases in R&D:

    • Research: During this phase, costs are incurred for understanding or designing the product. These costs are expensed as incurred costs as there is an uncertainty of a future benefit.
    •  Development: Economic value can be ascertained during this phase and hence, the costs incurred can be capitalized as Intangible assets. To be recognised as intangible assets, the following conditions shall be satisfied:

    1. it is developed with the intention of putting it to use in the future

    2.  the asset shall hold an economic value

    3. the costs can be measured reliably

    Treatment of R&D costs in the Financial statements:

      1. Income statement: Research costs are shown as expenses in the income statement. However, development costs if capitalized as intangible assets can be amortised over time.
      2. Balance Sheet: Capitalised development costs are shown as intangible assets under the Assets head of the Balance Sheet.

    Conclusion

    The above discussion can be summarised as follows:

    1. Research and development is essential for creating innovative and creative products and services.
    2. Accounting standard IAS-38 governs the accounting for Research and Development.
    3. Research costs are usually shown as an expense in the Income statement of the business.
    4.  Development costs when capitalised can be shown as Intangible assets in the Balance Sheet.
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Spriha Sparsh
Spriha Sparsh
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  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.

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A_Team
A_Team
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  2. SidharthBadlani CA Inter Student
    This answer was edited.

    Prepaid expense means a service to be rendered in the future period for which the business has already paid the remuneration. Prepaid expenses are classified as assets. The benefits of this payment will accrue to the business at a later period.  For example, insurance is often paid for annually on tRead more

    Prepaid expense means a service to be rendered in the future period for which the business has already paid the remuneration. Prepaid expenses are classified as assets. The benefits of this payment will accrue to the business at a later period. 

    For example, insurance is often paid for annually on the basis of the calendar year. A business may pay insurance every year on 1st January for that entire year. While preparing the financial statements on 31st March, it will recognize the insurance premium for the period 1st April to 31st December of the next financial year as a prepaid insurance expense. 

    Why are prepaid expenses classified as assets? 

    First of all, let us understand what an asset is. An asset is anything over which the business has ownership rights and which it can sell for money. The benefits of this asset should accrue to the business. 

    In light of this definition, let us analyze prepaid expenses as an asset. As the business has already paid for these goods or services, it becomes a legal right of the business to receive the relevant goods or services at a later date. As the benefit of this expense would accrue to the business only at a later date, the prepaid expenses are classified as an asset. 

    Some examples of prepaid expenses are prepaid insurance, prepaid rent etc

    Treatment of Prepaid Expenses

    Prepaid expenses are recorded in the balance sheet under the heading “Current Assets” and sub-heading “Other Current Assets”

    As per the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or GAAP, expenses must be recognized in the accounting period to which they relate or in which the benefit due to them is likely to arise. Thus, we cannot recognize the prepaid expenses in the accounting period in which they are incurred. 

    Prepaid assets are classified as assets and carried forward in the balance sheet to be debited in the income statement of the accounting period to which they relate. 

    Adjusting Entries

    Adjusting entries are those entries that are used to recognize prepaid expenses in the income statement of the period to which they relate. These entries are not used to record new transactions. They ensure compliance with GAAP by recognizing the expenses in the period to which they relate. 

    Conclusion

    The GAAP and basic definition of an asset govern the treatment of prepaid expenses as an asset. The business incurs them in an accounting period different from the accounting period in which their benefit would accrue to the business. The business has a legal right to receive those goods or services. 

    The business carries them as a current asset on the balance sheet. In the relevant accounting period, they are recognized in the income statement. 

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Jasmeet_Sethi
Jasmeet_SethiCurious
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Current AssetsLoose Tools
  2. Karan B.com and Pursuing ACCA
    This answer was edited.

    Current assets are all the assets of the company which are expected to be used, sold, or consumed within one year. Current assets are those assets that can be converted into cash easily. For example - Inventory, Accounts Receivable, Cash, and Cash Equivalents. Loose tools are parts of machinery or sRead more

    Current assets are all the assets of the company which are expected to be used, sold, or consumed within one year. Current assets are those assets that can be converted into cash easily.

    For example – Inventory, Accounts Receivable, Cash, and Cash Equivalents.

    Loose tools are parts of machinery or spare parts of machinery. Loose can be classified on the nature of use whether it is a fixed asset or a current asset. If loose tools are used regularly or within one accounting year, it is classified as a current asset.

    Loose tools are usually classified as a current asset, however, there is one exception i.e it is excluded from the current ratio.

    They are excluded from the current ratio because the current ratio takes into account only current assets, and the nature of loose tools is either a fixed asset or a current asset and can’t be converted into cash easily.

    The current ratio is calculated to check the liquidity of the company.

    Loose tools appear in the Asset Side of the Balance Sheet under the head Current Asset, subhead Inventories.

    The extract of the Balance Sheet is as follows:

    When the balance sheet prepared under Schedule III loose tools is shown under notes to accounts under sub-head Inventories on the asset side.

    When the balance sheet is in a T format loose appears as a current asset after recording fixed assets on the asset side.

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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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