AccountingQA Latest Questions

Anushka Lalwani
Anushka Lalwani
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  2. Kajal

    All expenses whose benefits are received over the years or the expenses or losses that are to be written off over the years are classified as Deferred revenue expenses. It includes fictitious expenses like preliminary expenses, loss on issue of debentures, advertising expenses, loss due to unusual oRead more

    All expenses whose benefits are received over the years or the expenses or losses that are to be written off over the years are classified as Deferred revenue expenses. It includes fictitious expenses like preliminary expenses, loss on issue of debentures, advertising expenses, loss due to unusual occurrences like loss due to fire, theft, and research and development expenses, etc. 

     

    DEFERRED REVENUE EXPENSES

    There are certain expenses which are revenue in nature (i.e. expenses incurred to maintain the earning capacity of the firm and generate revenue) but whose benefits are received over a period of years generally between 3 to 7 years. It means its benefit is received not only in the current accounting period but over a few consecutive accounting periods.

    CHARACTERISTICS

    • Revenue in nature
    • Benefits received for more than one accounting period.
    • Huge expenditure (large amount is involved)
    • Affects the profitability of the business (since a large amount is involved if charged in the same accounting period, then it will decrease the profitability for the year)
    • Written off over the years either partially or entirely.
    • Fictitious asset It doesn’t result in the creation of any asset but is shown as an asset (fictitious asset) on the Balance Sheet till fully written off.

     

    EXAMPLES

     

    ADVERTISING EXPENSES refers to the expenses incurred for promoting the goods or services of the firm through various channels like TV, Social media, Hoardings, etc.

    As the benefit of advertising is not received not only in the period when such expenses were incurred but also in the coming few years, it is classified as Deferred revenue expense.

    For example – Suppose the company incurred $10 lakh on advertising to introduce a new product in the market and estimated that its benefit will last for 4 years. In this case, $250,000 will be written off every year, for 4 consecutive years.

     

    EXCEPTIONAL LOSSES are losses that are incurred because of some unusual event and don’t happen regularly like loss from fire, theft, earthquake, flood or any other natural disaster, confiscation of property, etc.

    Since these losses can’t be written off in the year they occurred they are also treated as Deferred revenue expenditure and are written off over the years.

     

    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES are expenses incurred on researching and developing new products or improving the existing ones. Its benefits are received for many years and thus are classified as Deferred revenue expenses.

    For example – Expenses incurred on the creation of intangible assets like patents, copyrights, etc.

     

    PRELIMINARY EXPENSES are those expenses which are incurred before the incorporation and commencement of the business. It includes legal fees, registration fees, stamp duty, printing expenses, etc.

    These expenses are fictitious assets and are written off over the years.

     

    TREATMENT

    It is debited to the P&L amount (amount written off that year) and the remaining amount on the Aeest side of the Balance Sheet.

    In the above example of advertising expenses, in Year 1, $250,000 will be debited in the P&L A/c and the remaining amount of $750,000 is shown on the Asset side of the Balance Sheet.

    In Year 2, $250,00 in P&L A/c and the remaining $500,000 in Balance Sheet.

    In Year 3, $250,000 in P&L A/c and the remaining $250,000 in the Balance Sheet and in the last Year 4, only the remaining amount of $250,000 in P&L A/c and nothing in the Balance Sheet.

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Sandy
Sandy
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Depreciation
  2. Nistha Pursuing B.COM H (B&F) and CMA
    This answer was edited.

    Depreciation refers to that portion of the value of an asset that is written off over the useful life of the asset due to wear and tear. Now, when we talk about depreciation, there are multiple methods to calculate depreciation such as: Straight Line Depreciation Method Diminishing Balance Method OrRead more

    Depreciation refers to that portion of the value of an asset that is written off over the useful life of the asset due to wear and tear.

    Now, when we talk about depreciation, there are multiple methods to calculate depreciation such as:

    • Straight Line Depreciation Method
    • Diminishing Balance Method Or Written Down Value Method
    • Sum of Years’ Digits Method
    • Double Declining Balance Method
    • Sinking Fund Method
    • Annuity Method
    • Insurance Policy Method
    • Discounted Cash Flow Method
    • Use Based Methods
      • Output Method
      • Working Hours Method
      • Mileage Method
    • Other Methods
      • Depletion Method
      • Revaluation Method
      • Group or Composite Method

    The most commonly used methods are discussed below:

    1. Straight Line Depreciation Method: This is the simplest method for calculating depreciation where a fixed amount of depreciation is charged over the useful life of the asset.

    Formula:

    Suppose a company Bear Ltd purchases machinery costing 8,00,000 with useful life of 10 years and salvage value 1,00,000. Then depreciation charged to the machinery each year would be:

    Depreciation = (8,00,000 – 1,00,000)/10 = 7,00,000/10 = 7,000 p.a.

    2. Diminishing Balance Method Or Written Down Value Method: Under this method, a fixed rate of depreciation is charged every year on the opening balance of the asset which is the difference between the previous year’s opening balance and the previous year’s depreciation. Here the book value of asset reduces every year and so does the depreciation amount.

    Formula:

    Suppose a company Moon ltd purchases a building for 50,00,000 with a useful life of 5 years and decides to depreciate it @ 10% p.a. on Diminishing Balance Method. Then depreciation charged to the machinery would be:

    3. Sum of Years’ Digits Method: In this method, the life of asset is divided by the sum of years and multiplied by the cost of the asset to determine the depreciating expense. This method allocates higher depreciation expense in the early years of the life of the asset and lower depreciation expense in the latter years.

    Formula:

    Suppose a company Caps Ltd purchases machinery costing 9,00,000 having a useful life of 5 years. Then the depreciation cost would be:

    4. Double Declining Balance method: This method is a mixture of straight-line method and diminishing balance method. A fixed rate of depreciation is charged on the reduced value of the asset at the beginning of the year. This rate is double the rate charged under straight-line method.

    Formula:

    Suppose a company Paper Ltd purchases machinery for 1,00,000 with an estimated useful life of 8 years. Then the depreciation rate would be:

    Straight line = 100%/8 = 12.5%

    Double declining method = 2*12.5% = 25%

    5. Sinking Fund Method: Under this method, the amount of depreciation keeps on accumulating till the asset is completely worn out. Depreciation is the same every year. Profits equal to the amount of depreciation is invested each year outside the company. At the time of replacement of the asset the investments and sold and the proceeds thereof are used to purchase the new asset.

    6. Annuity Method: This method calculates depreciation by calculating its internal rate of return (IRR). Depreciation is calculated by multiplying the IRR with an initial book value of the asset, and the result is subtracted from the cash flow for the period.

    7. Use Based Methods: Depreciation, under these methods, is based on the total estimated machine hours or total estimated units produced during the life of the machine. It is calculated by dividing the cost of the machine by the estimated total machine hours or estimated lifetime production in units and multiplying by the units produced or machine hours worked.

    Formula:

    Suppose a company Box Ltd purchases machinery for 25,000 (estimated life 5 years) whose estimated life production is 5,000 units. If it produces 700 units in the first year of operation then depreciation cost would be:

    Depreciation = 25,000/5,000*700 = 3,500

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Simerpreet
SimerpreetHelpful
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  2. Naina@123 (B.COM and CMA-Final)
    This answer was edited.

    As per the companies act 2013, the rate of depreciation for cars/vehicles and their useful life is mentioned below  They are categorized by the companies act as follows: when these car/ motor vehicles are owned with no intention to sell within the accounting period and are generally used to generateRead more

    As per the companies act 2013, the rate of depreciation for cars/vehicles and their useful life is mentioned below

     They are categorized by the companies act as follows:

    1. when these car/ motor vehicles are owned with no intention to sell within the accounting period and are generally used to generate revenue. For example, giving cars/motor vehicles on lease or hire purpose.
    2. cars/motor vehicles when used for purposes other than the business of hire. For example, a car is owned for official use.

    Car/motor vehicles are considered as fixed tangible assets. Treatment of these cars/ motor vehicles is similar to those of other fixed assets. The depreciation will be shown as an expense in the profit and loss account and also the value of these assets will be adjusted in the balance sheet.

    Explaining with a simple example:  Mars.Ltd purchased a car for Rs 10,00,000, and use it for its official purpose. Its useful life as per act is taken as 6 years and the rate of depreciation as 31.23% as per the WDV method.

    Therefore depreciation as per WDV is calculated as follows

    Cost of car = Rs 10,00,000

    Residual value = NIL

    Rate of depreciation = 31.23%

    depreciation for first-year = Rs (10,00,000 – NIL)*31.23%

    = Rs 3,12,300

    Calculated depreciation on this car will be shown in the profit and loss account as an expense and the same will be treated under the balance sheet every year. Here is the extract of profit and loss and the balance sheet for the above example.

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Naina@123
Naina@123
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  2. prashant06 B.com, CMA pursuing
    This answer was edited.

    First, let us understand the meaning of a provision of depreciation. It is nothing but the total collection of all the depreciation over the years. This account is not like a normal account but a contra asset account. It is also called accumulated depreciation. Annual depreciation charged is an expeRead more

    First, let us understand the meaning of a provision of depreciation. It is nothing but the total collection of all the depreciation over the years. This account is not like a normal account but a contra asset account. It is also called accumulated depreciation.

    Annual depreciation charged is an expense for the business and hence has a debit balance. Whereas provision for depreciation as a contra asset account has a credit balance.

    The journal entry for provision for depreciation is

    Depreciation A/c                                                      ……….Dr XXX
               To Provision for depreciation XXX

    Explaining the credit nature of this account. As we know that the depreciation is an expense for the business hence as per modern rules “Debit all the expenses and losses and credit all incomes and gains” therefore it is debited whereas the provision of depreciation is contra account it has a credit balance as it reduces the value of assets. So according to modern rule, we know a decrease in assets has a credit balance, hence shown in a negative balance on the balance sheet under long-term assets.

    With the preparation of this account, we do not credit depreciation in the asset account but transfer every year to the accumulated depreciation account, and when assets are disposed of or sold we credit the ‘total’ of the provision on depreciation to the credit of the asset account just to calculate the actual profit or loss on a sale of the asset.

     

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Karan
Karan
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  2. Ayushi Curious Pursuing CA
    This answer was edited.

    Secondary books of accounts are most commonly known as subsidiary books of accounts or day books. They are prepared to record the same type of journals in an ordered manner in a special book. They are nothing, but special journals. Recording all the journals entries in a single journal and these posRead more

    Secondary books of accounts are most commonly known as subsidiary books of accounts or day books. They are prepared to record the same type of journals in an ordered manner in a special book. They are nothing, but special journals.

    Recording all the journals entries in a single journal and these posting them to different ledgers can be very difficult if the number of transactions is huge.

    So, recording the same type of transactions in a special journal proves to be useful in efficient book-keeping and also information retrieval.

    There are eight subsidiary books:

    1. Cashbook – It is three types. (a) Single column cash book – It records only cash receipts and cash payments. (b) Double column cash book – Apart from cash receipts and cash payments, it also records bank receipts and bank payments. (c) Triple column cash book – It additionally records the discount allowed and discount received.
    2. Purchase book – It records all the credit purchases except the purchase of assets.
    3. Sales book – It records all the credit sales except the sale of assets.
    4. Purchase return book – It records all the transactions related to the return of purchased goods.
    5. Sale return book – It records all the transactions related to the return of goods from customers.
    6. Bills receivable book – It records the particulars of all the bills drawn in favour of the business.
    7. Bills payable book – It records the particulars of all the bills drawn in the name of the business.
    8. Journal proper – It records those transactions which cannot be recorded in any of the above-mentioned books. For example, entry related to depreciation charged on assets.

     

    Also, there are a few more things to know:-

    1. Subsidiary books may look like ledger accounts but they are not ledgers. Ledgers are books of final entry and subsidiary books can be said to be the book of intermediate entry and are not but special journals.
    2. Once transactions are recorded in the subsidiary books, they are then posted to the ledgers.
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AbhishekBatabyal
AbhishekBatabyalHelpful
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  2. Radhika
    This answer was edited.

    Capital maintenance is a principle that states profit should not be recorded until its cost or capital has been maintained. In other words, profit should not be recognized unless net assets have been maintained. Capital maintenance states that profit recognized is the increase in the value of net asRead more

    Capital maintenance is a principle that states profit should not be recorded until its cost or capital has been maintained. In other words, profit should not be recognized unless net assets have been maintained.

    Capital maintenance states that profit recognized is the increase in the value of net assets. However, there are two exceptions to it:

    • Cash increased because of sale of stock to shareholders
    • Cash decreased because of dividend payout to its shareholders

    It is important because:

    • It protects the interest of shareholders
    • It protects the interest of creditors
    • Accurately analyzing the performance of the company

    Capital maintenance is of two types:

    • Financial Capital Maintenance

    It is measured by the value of assets at the beginning and end of the financial year.

    • Physical Capital Maintenance

    It is measured by the production capacity at the beginning and end of the financial year.

    Capital maintenance is concerned with keeping proper account balances of assets and not the physical assets.

    Inflation is the increase in the economic value of goods due to the lower purchasing power and not an actual increase in the value of assets. So, if the value of an asset is increased due to inflation it does not depict the right picture for the company.

    Hence, if the value of assets increases due to inflation, companies need to adjust the value of assets to assess if capital maintenance has occurred. 

     

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Rahul_Jose
Rahul_Jose
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  2. Radhika
    This answer was edited.

    An asset is a resource in the name of the company or controlled by the company that holds economic value and will provide it future benefits. A company invests in various kinds of assets for manufacturing purposes and investment purposes as well. Some examples of assets are: Plant and Machinery InveRead more

    An asset is a resource in the name of the company or controlled by the company that holds economic value and will provide it future benefits.

    A company invests in various kinds of assets for manufacturing purposes and investment purposes as well. Some examples of assets are:

    • Plant and Machinery
    • Investments
    • Inventory
    • Cash and Cash Equivalents, etc.

    Assets can be broadly divided into two categories based on their physical existence:

    • Tangible Assets
    • Intangible Assets

    Tangible Assets can be further divided into two categories based on their life and role in the operating cycle:

    • Non-Current Assets
    • Current Assets

    Since the company derives benefit from the asset, an asset account is debit in nature. If an asset account has a credit balance, it would fundamentally make it a liability. However, there are certain exceptions to it.

    In the case of Bank Overdraft, which means a company withdraws more from the bank than it has deposited in its account, Bank Account can also be shown having a credit balance.

    Contra Assets Accounts are the accounts that are contrary to the basic nature of an assets account, that is it is contrary to the debit nature of the assets account and hence are credit in nature.

    Examples of Contra Assets Account are:

    Accumulated Depreciation Account which is essentially Plant Assets Account also has a credit balance as it is used to depreciate the asset, or in other words, reduce the value of the assets, hence it also has a credit balance.

    When there are balances in the Account Receivables Account that are not paid to the company or have a very low probability of being paid, they are recorded in a separate account called Bad Debts Account, which is also credit in nature.

     

     

     

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Bonnie
BonnieCurious
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  2. AishwaryaMunot

    Before we jump in the concept of valuation of Goodwill, let us first understand the meaning of term “Goodwill”. Goodwill is an Intangible asset of the business. As the definition of Intangible asset, Goodwill cannot be seen or felt. In simple words it is business’s worth or its reputation earned oveRead more

    Before we jump in the concept of valuation of Goodwill, let us first understand the meaning of term “Goodwill”.

    Goodwill is an Intangible asset of the business. As the definition of Intangible asset, Goodwill cannot be seen or felt. In simple words it is business’s worth or its reputation earned over a period of time.

    Calculation of value of the goodwill in monetary terms is done at the time of merger or acquisition of the business. Goodwill is often applied to businesses which are earning large number of profits, have crucial corporate links and large customer/client base.

    Self-earned goodwill is never shown in monetary terms in business’s own balance sheet while goodwill which is purchased is shown in the asset side of the balance sheet of the buyer business.

    Following are the methods under which goodwill can be valued:

    1. Average Profit Method – In this method, Goodwill is calculated by average profits multiplied by the number of years purchased. Typically, last 5-6 years profit figures are taken ignoring any abnormal gains or loss during the year. Formula for the same would be as follows:

               Goodwill = Average Profit x No. of Years Purchase

    1. Weighted Average Method – This method is updated method of average profit method, Profits of the previous years are calculated by specific number of weights. This method is useful when there is a lot of fluctuations in the profits and importance has to be given to current year’s profit. Formula for the same would be as follows:

              Goodwill = Weighted Average Profit x No. of Years Purchase

    Where,

    Weighted Average Profit = Sum of Profits multiplied by weights / Sum of Weights

    1. Super Profit Method – Super profit is additional profit generated by the business over normal profit. Further for the calculation, Super profit is capitalized by the normal rate of return and resulting figure is value of Goodwill.

    Formula for the same would be as follows:

             Goodwill = Super Profits x (100/Normal Rate of Return)

    1. Annuity Method – In this method, Discounted amount of the super profits is calculated by taking into consideration the current value of the annuity at rate of return.

    Formula for the same would be as follows:

             Goodwill = Super Profit x Discounting Factor

    1. Capitalization Method – In this method, existing capital employed is deducted from capitalized number of average profits or super profits. The resulting figure is Goodwill.

    Formula for the same would be as follows:

               a. Average Profit Capitalization Method –

                 Goodwill = [Average Profit / Normal Rate of Return x 100] – Capital                                                        Employed

               b. Super Profit Capitalization Method –

                Goodwill = Super Profits x (100/ Normal Rate of Return)

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

    Meaning The term ‘Sundry creditors’ consist of two words:  ‘Sundry’ and ‘creditors’.  The word ‘sundry’ means the items which are not significant enough to be named separately. It also refers to a collection of miscellaneous items. Creditors are the person from whom money is borrowed or goods are puRead more

    Meaning

    The term ‘Sundry creditors’ consist of two words:  ‘Sundry’ and ‘creditors’. 

    The word ‘sundry’ means the items which are not significant enough to be named separately. It also refers to a collection of miscellaneous items.

    Creditors are the person from whom money is borrowed or goods are purchased on credit by a business or a non-business entity. They have to be repaid after a period of time which is usually less than or up to one year.

    By combining the meaning of both words, ’sundry’ and ‘creditor’, the term ‘sundry creditor’ will refer to the collection of insignificant creditors of an entity.

    Back in the days when accounting records were maintained on paper, only the records of those creditors were maintained separately, from whom goods are purchased regularly and in large amounts. 

    But there used to be numerous other creditors with whom the transactions were occasional and insignificant. To reduce the paperwork, records of all such creditors were maintained on a single page or book under the head ‘Sundry Creditors’

    Nowadays, as accounting records are maintained digitally, hence maintaining records of each and every creditor is not a problem. 

    Hence, every creditor whether small or big, is grouped under the head ‘Sundry creditor’ or ‘Trade Creditor’.

     

    Accounting Treatment 

    Sundry creditors are the persons to whom a business owes money. 

    Hence, as per golden rules of accounting, Sundry creditor is a personal account and the golden rule for personal account is, ‘Debit the receiver and credit the giver’ 

    We know sundry creditors are liabilities, hence, as per modern rule of accounting, sundry creditors are credited in case of increase and debited in case of decrease.

    Example, a business purchased goods for Rs. 10,000 from ABC & Co. The journal entry will as follows:

    Here, ABC & Co is the creditor. It is credited as it is a personal account and the creditor has given the goods to the business, hence the giver is credited.

    From point of view of modern rules of accounting, ABC & Co. is a creditor, a liability. On purchase of goods on credit, a liability is created. Hence, ABC & Co A/c is credited.

     

    Balance sheet

    Sundry creditor is a current liability, so it is shown on the liabilities side of a balance sheet. Trade payable and accounts payable mean sundry creditors only.

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

    The profit earned by an entity is determined through the profit and loss account. All the expenses are recorded on the debit side of the profit and loss account while all the incomes are recorded on the credit side. The profit is shown as the credit balance of profit and loss A/c. When the sum of itRead more

    The profit earned by an entity is determined through the profit and loss account. All the expenses are recorded on the debit side of the profit and loss account while all the incomes are recorded on the credit side.

    The profit is shown as the credit balance of profit and loss A/c. When the sum of items on the debit side of a profit and loss account is less than the sum of those on the credit side, it implies profit while when the sum of the items on the credit side is less than the sum of those on the debit side, it implies a loss for the entity.

    The Reason for Credit

    Profit is recorded as an increase in equity

    To understand the reason why profit is recorded as a credit balance, we must first understand the basic principle of debit and credit.

    The basic principle of debits and credits is that debits increase asset accounts and decrease liability and equity accounts while credits decrease asset accounts and increase liability and equity accounts.

    The revenue that a company earns is credited to the income account and increases equity.

    The expenses that a company incurs to earn that revenue are debited to the expense account and decrease equity.

    The difference between revenue and expenses is the profit, which is recorded as an increase in equity.

    Increase in equity due to revenue – decrease in equity due to expense = profit

    Gross Profit Vs Net Profit

    Revenue is the total income that a business or profession earns. Profit is the excess revenue that remains after reducing all expenses from it.

    Gross profit is the profit that a company earns after reducing the cost of goods sold from sales revenue while net profit is the profit that a business earns after reducing the total of all its direct and indirect expenses from its direct as well as indirect allowable business income.

     

    Conclusion

    The basic principle of debit and credit governs the classification of profit as a debit or credit. Since profit increases our equity, it is a credit.

    In the case of a company, it belongs to the shareholders. It is usually recorded in the retained earnings account. Profit can be reinvested in the business or can be distributed as a dividend. In the case of a sole proprietorship, the profit belongs to the owner and is recorded in the owner’s capital account.

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