AccountingQA Latest Questions

Aditi
Aditi
In: >

  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.

    Research and Development Costs are generally shown as an expense in the Income Statement.

    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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Vijay
VijayCurious
In: >

  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
In: >

  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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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
In: >

  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
In: >

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
In: >

  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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SidharthBadlani
SidharthBadlani
In: >

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

    Definition Gross profit is the excess of the proceeds of goods and services rendered during a period over their cost, before taking into account administration, selling, distribution, and financial expenses. Gross profit and net profit are gross profit estimates of the profitability of a company. WhRead more

    Definition

    Gross profit is the excess of the proceeds of goods and services rendered during a period over their cost, before taking into account administration, selling, distribution, and financial expenses.

    Gross profit and net profit are gross profit estimates of the profitability of a company.

    When the result of this computation is negative it is referred to as gross loss

    Formula :

    Total Revenues – Cost Of Goods Sold

    Net profit is defined as the excess of revenues over expenses during a particular period.
    Net profit is to show the performance of the company.

    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 )

    Examples

    Now let me explain to you by taking an example which is as follows :

    In a business organization there were the following data given as purchases made Rs 73000, inventory, in the beginning, was Rs 10000, direct expenses made were Rs 7000, closing inventory which was Rs 5000, revenue from operation during the period was Rs 100000.
    Then,

    COST OF GOODS SOLD = Purchases + Opening Inventory + Direct Expenses – Closing Inventory.

    = Rs ( 73000 + 10000+ 7000- 5000)
    = Rs 85000

    GROSS PROFIT = REVENUE – COST OF GOODS SOLD

    = Rs ( 100000 – 85000 )
    = Rs 15000

    Now from the above question keeping the gross profit same if the indirect expenses of the organization are Rs 2000 and the other income is Rs 1000.
    Then,

    NET PROFIT = GROSS PROFIT – INDIRECT EXPENSES + OTHER INCOMES

    = Rs ( 15000 – 2000 + 1000)
    = Rs 14000

    Treatment

    Treatment of gross profit and net profit is given as follows :

    Gross profit

    • Gross profit appears on the credit side of the trading account.
    • Gross profit is located in the upper portion beneath revenue and cost of goods sold.

    Net profit

    • Net profit appears on the credit side of the profit and loss account.
    • It is treated directly in the balance sheet by adding or subtracting from the capital.

    Here is an extract of the trading and profit/loss account and balance sheet showing GROSS PROFIT & NET PROFIT :

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