AccountingQA Latest Questions

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

    Definition Journal Entry is an entry made in the journal is called journal entry. And the process of recording a transaction in a journal is called journalizing. Broadly journal entries are of two types : 1. Simple entry 2. Compound entry Otherwise, they are categorized into seven types which are asRead more

    Definition

    Journal Entry is an entry made in the journal is called journal entry. And the process of recording a transaction in a journal is called journalizing.

    Broadly journal entries are of two types :

    1. Simple entry
    2. Compound entry

    Otherwise, they are categorized into seven types which are as follows :

    1. Opening entries
    2. Closing entries
    3. Rectification entries
    4. Transfer entries
    5. Adjusting entries
    6. Entries on dishonor of bills
    7. Miscellaneous entries

    Explanation

    Now let me explain to you the above types of entries mentioned which are as follows ;

    Simple entry
    • Is a journal entry in which one account is debited and another account is credited with an equal amount.
    • For example, the purchase of goods of Rs 5000 cash. It will affect two accounts,i.e., purchase A/C and cash A/C with the amount of Rs 5000.

    Compound entry
    • Is a journal entry in which one or more accounts are debited and/or one or more accounts credited or vice versa.
    • For example the sale of goods to Sati for Rs 5000, Rs 2000 is received in cash, and the balance is to be received later.
    • This transaction of the sale has an effect on three accounts i.e cash or bank A/C, Sati A/C, and sales A/C.

    Opening entries
    • Are defined as when books are started for the new year, the opening balance of assets and liabilities are journalized. For example bills payable, short-term loans, etc.

    Closing entries
    • At the end of the year, the profit and loss account has to be prepared. For this purpose, the nominal accounts are transferred to this account. This is done through journal entries called closing entries.

    Rectification entries
    • If an error has been committed, it is rectification through a journal entry.

    Transfer entries
    • If some amount is to be transferred from one account to another, the transfer will be made through a journal entry.

    Adjusting entries
    • At the end of the year, the number of expenses or income may have to be adjusted for amounts received in advance or for amounts not yet settled in cash.
    • Such an adjustment is also made through journal entries. Usually, the entries pertain to the following :

    Outstanding expenses,i.e., expenses incurred but not yet paid;

    Prepared expenses,i.e., expenses paid in advance for some period in the future ;

    Interest on capital is the interest proprietor’s investment in the business entity investment; and

    Depreciation fall in the value of assets used on account of wear and tear. For all these, journal entries are necessary.

    Entries on dishonor of bills
    • If someone who accepts a promissory note ( or bill) is not able to pay in on the due date, a journal entry will be necessary to record the non–payment or dishonor.

    Miscellaneous entries
    The following entries will also require journalizing
    • Credit purchase of things other than goods dealt in or materials required for the production of goods e.g. Credit purchase of furniture or machinery will be journalized.
    • An allowance to be given to the customers or a charge to be made to them after the issue of the invoice.
    • Receipt of promissory notes or issue to them if separate bills books have not been maintained.
    • On an amount becoming irrecoverable, say, because, of the customer becoming insolvent.
    • Effects of accidents such as loss of property by fire.
    • Transfer of net profit to capital account.

    Here are some examples of journal entries showing the above types :

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Anushka Lalwani
Anushka Lalwani
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  2. Kajal
    This answer was edited.

    Profit refers to the excess of total revenue over total expenses. According to the rule "Debit all expenses and losses, Credit all incomes and gains", expenses are recorded on the debit side while revenues are recorded on the credit side. There is profit when Total revenue > Total expenses, whichRead more

    Profit refers to the excess of total revenue over total expenses. According to the rule “Debit all expenses and losses, Credit all incomes and gains”, expenses are recorded on the debit side while revenues are recorded on the credit side.

    There is profit when Total revenue > Total expenses, which means the balance of the credit side > the balance of the debit side. Since, in accounting Dr. side is always equal to the credit side, a balancing figure (representing profit or loss) is shown on the shorter side, to make both sides equal.

    When Credit side > Debit side, Profit(balancing figure) is shown on the Dr. side so that both sides are equal. 

     

    PROFIT

    Profit refers to the excess of total revenue over the total expenses of the business for an accounting year. In simple words, it shows how much extra the firm earned after deducting all the expenses it incurred during the year.

    Profit = Total Revenue – Total Expenses

    Suppose, the firm earned a total revenue of $10,000 for the accounting year 2022-23. Also, it incurred total expenses of $6,000 during the year. So, Profit for the AY 2022-23 is $4,000.

     

    ASCERTAINING PROFIT

    To ascertain profit earned or loss incurred by the firm during an accounting year, it prepares two accounts.

    • Trading A/c
    • Profit and Loss A/c

     

    Points to be noted:

    • Both accounts are Nominal Account which follows the rule “Debit all expenses and losses, Credit all incomes and gains”
    • The debit side records expenses while the Credit side records incomes.
    • Both are balanced accounts, which means its Dr. side is always equal to its Cr. side.
    • If they are not balanced, then a balancing figure is added to the shorter side which represents profit or the loss depending on which side is greater.
    • If Dr. side > Cr. side, it means expenses are more than the incomes and thus, there is a loss.
    • If Cr. side > Dr. side, it means there are more incomes than expenses and thus, there is Profit.

     

    TRADING ACCOUNT

    It is the first final account prepared for calculating gross profit or gross loss during the year because of the trading activities of the firm.

    Trading activities are related to the buying and selling of goods. In between buying and selling a lot of activities are there like transportation, warehousing, loading, unloading, etc. All expenses that are directly related to buying and selling as well as manufacturing of goods are known as Direct expenses and are also recorded in the trading accounts.

    Items included on the debit side:

    • Opening stock
    • Purchases
    • Direct expenses like wages, import duty, royalty, manufacturing expenses, etc.
    • Gross Profit

     

    Items included on the credit side:

    • Sales
    • Closing stock
    • Gross loss

     

    Gross Profit is when Cr. side (incomes) > Dr. side (expenses). It is recorded on the debit side as a balancing figure.

     

    PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

    A businessman incurs a lot of expenses during the year which may be directly related or indirectly related to the business.

    As the Trading account only considers direct expenses, the businessman prepares the P&L A/c which considers all the expenses incurred during a year to ascertain net profit or loss.

    Items written on the Debit side

    • Gross loss (transferred from the trading a/c)
    • Office and administrative expenses (like employee’s salary, office rent, office lighting bills, legal charges, printing expenses, etc.)
    • Selling and distribution expenses (like advertisement fees, commission, carriage outward, packaging charges, etc.
    • Miscellaneous expenses (like interest on loan, interest on capital, repair, depreciation, etc.)
    • Net Profit

     

    Items written on the Credit side

    • Gross Profit (transferred from trading a/c)
    • Other incomes and gains (Like income from investments, interest received, rent received, etc.)
    • Net loss

     

    Net Profit is when the Cr. side (incomes)> Dr. side(expenses). It is recorded on the Debit side as a balancing figure.

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Bonnie
BonnieCurious
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  2. Astha Leader Pursuing CA, BCom (Hons.)
    This answer was edited.

    There are two types of ledger accounts in the accounting system – temporary and permanent. Temporary accounts are those whose balances zero out and we do not carry forward balances to the next year. Examples are revenue and expenses accounts or nominal accounts. The balances of such accounts are traRead more

    There are two types of ledger accounts in the accounting system – temporary and permanent.

    Temporary accounts are those whose balances zero out and we do not carry forward balances to the next year. Examples are revenue and expenses accounts or nominal accounts. The balances of such accounts are transferred to the profit and loss account and therefore are not balanced.

    Permanent accounts are those whose balances are carried forward to the next accounting year in form of opening balances. These accounts are balanced and such balances are transferred to the balance sheet. Examples are assets, liability and capital accounts or personal and real accounts.

    Balancing an account means equaling both the debit and the credit side of the account. Generally, there is a difference between the accounts recorded as a carry down balance in the case of permanent accounts and as a transfer balance in the case of temporary accounts.

    Balancing serves as a check to the double-entry rule of accounting.

    Balanced accounts

    As discussed above, the balanced accounts are shown in the balance sheet and the balancing figure for such accounts are carried forward to the next accounting period.

    Unbalanced accounts

    As per the above discussion, the balancing figures of unbalanced accounts are transferred to the profit and loss account and no balances are carried forward to the next accounting period.

    Suppose a company Shine Ltd. has machinery costing 5,00,000 at the beginning of the accounting period and charges depreciation of 10% on the asset. The company also has creditors amounting to 50,000 at the beginning of the period and purchases goods amounting to 30,000 on credit. It has a cash balance of 95,000 at the beginning of the period and earns interest amounting to 10,000.

    Following ledgers would be prepared to record the above entries:

    The above ledgers can be shown as follows:

    The balance of the machinery account will be shown in the balance sheet and therefore it is a balanced account.

    The balance is transferred to the profit and loss account and therefore depreciation account is an unbalanced account.

    The balance of creditors account will be shown in the balance sheet and therefore it is a balanced account.

    The balance is transferred to the profit and loss account and therefore purchases account is an unbalanced account.

    The balance of the cash account will be shown in the balance sheet and therefore it is a balanced account.

    The balance is transferred to the profit and loss account and therefore interest account is an unbalanced account.

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Karan
Karan
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  2. prashant06 B.com, CMA pursuing
    This answer was edited.

    The journal entry for a loan to an employee is as follows: Loans to employee A/c                                            …..Dr xxx             To Bank/Cash A/c xxx (Being loan given to employee) From the above journal entry, we see that there are two accounts-first one is "Loan to employee accounRead more

    The journal entry for a loan to an employee is as follows:

    Loans to employee A/c                                            …..Dr xxx
                To Bank/Cash A/c xxx
    (Being loan given to employee)

    From the above journal entry, we see that there are two accounts-first one is “Loan to employee account” and the second one is “Bank/cash account“. Both are assets for the company.

    Loan to employees is considered an asset because they are expected to be returned by the employee within the stipulated time period. If the loan is repaid within one year it will be shown under the current asset and if it is not expected to be collected within a year or in short might be repaid after a year then it will be shown under long-term assets.

    Also, we all know Bank/cash is an asset for the company.

    Why loan to employee A/c is debited and Bank/cash A/c is credited?

    As per the modern rule:

    ASSETS
    Increase Debit
    Decrease Credit

    Connecting the above-stated entry with the modern rule “loan to an employee” is debited as money comes back into the business hence there is an increase in an asset therefore debited. While in the second case “bank/cash account” is credited as the money goes out of the business, there is a decrease in assets of the company therefore credited.

    Loan to employee The inflow of cash in a future date Increase in an asset Debit
    Bank/ cash The outflow of cash Decrease in an asset Credit

    We notice that in this entry there is an increase in one asset while a decrease of another asset. Therefore the impact on the balance sheet is Nil.

    Let me give you a simple illustration of the above entry

    Mr. Ross was an employee of Maxwell Pvt ltd. Mr. Ross was lent Rs 2,00,000 by the company for some emergency purpose. So as per modern rules the accounting entry in the books of the company will be as follows:

    Loans to Mr. Ross A/c                                            …..Dr 2,00,000
                To Bank/Cash A/c 2,00,000
    (Being loan given to Mr. Ross)
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Jayesh Gupta
Jayesh GuptaCurious
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  2. Ayushi Curious Pursuing CA

    External liabilities are the amounts which a business is obliged to pay to the outsiders (who are not owners of the business). Here is the list of external liabilities:- Accounts payable ( trade creditors and bills payables) Loan taken from outsiders Loan from bank Debentures Public deposits accepteRead more

    External liabilities are the amounts which a business is obliged to pay to the outsiders (who are not owners of the business).

    Here is the list of external liabilities:-

    1. Accounts payable ( trade creditors and bills payables)
    2. Loan taken from outsiders
    • Loan from bank
    • Debentures
    • Public deposits accepted
    1. Outstanding expenses
    • Outstanding salary
    • Outstanding rent
    • Outstanding tax
    1. Interest due on loans taken from outsiders

    The list is not exhaustive.

    Just for more understanding, internal liabilities are those liabilities which a business is supposed to pay back to its owners.  Such as capital balance, profit surplus etc.

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Karan
Karan
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Difference BetweenFixed CapitalFluctuating Capital
  2. Radhika
    This answer was edited.

    Capital Accounts record transactions of owners of a business and typically includes amount invested, retained, and withdrawn from the business. In the case of a partnership firm, there are multiple capital accounts as multiple people own the business. Capital Accounts in a partnership firm can be ofRead more

    Capital Accounts record transactions of owners of a business and typically includes amount invested, retained, and withdrawn from the business. In the case of a partnership firm, there are multiple capital accounts as multiple people own the business.

    Capital Accounts in a partnership firm can be of two types:

    • Fixed Capital Account
    • Fluctuating Capital Account

    A fixed Capital Account is one where only non-recurring transactions related to capital accounts are recorded. For example:

    • Capital introduced
    • Capital withdrawn/ Drawings

    For transactions that are recurring in nature like interest on capital, the interest of drawings a separate account called Partner’s Current Account is created.

    Fluctuating Capital Accounts are the ones where there is a single account to record all types of transactions related to the partner’s capital account, whether recurring or nonrecurring.

    Fixed Capital Accounts are usually created in cases where there are numerous recurring transactions and partners want to keep a record of the fixed amount invested in the business by all the partners at any point in time.

    Fluctuating Capital Account is usually created in cases where the number of recurring transactions is not high or partners want to keep a record of the amount due to all the partners in business at any point in time.

    However, the decision to choose what kind of capital account should be implemented in the firm is complete with the partners. They may choose whatever they think is a more suitable fit.

    To summarise the difference between the two following table can be used:

    Fixed Capital Account Fluctuating Capital Account
       
    Non-recurring transactions are recorded. Recurring transactions are recorded.
    Created where the number of recurring transactions is high to maintain a separate record. Created where the number of recurring transactions is low.
    Examples:

    ·       Capital introduced

    ·       Capital withdrawn

    		 Examples:

    ·       Interest on capital

    ·       Interest in drawings

     

     

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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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  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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