BASIC ACCOUNTING

PAPER CODE: F010101T(B)

NOTES
UNIT-I
Meaning and scope of accounting, nature of financial accounting principles, basis of accounting;
accounting process – from recording of business transaction to preparation of trial balance

Q1: Define accounting.

Ans: : In 1941, The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) had defined accounting as the art
of recording, classifying, and summarizing in a significant manner and in terms of money, transactions and events
which are, in part at least, of financial character, and interpreting the results thereof’.

In 1966, the American Accounting Association (AAA) defined accounting as ‘the process of identifying, measuring
and communicating economic information to permit informed judgments and decisions by users of information’.

Q2: Enumerate main objectives of accounting.

Ans: Objectives of Accounting
1. Maintenance of Records of Business Transactions
2. Calculation of Profit and Loss
3. Depiction of Financial Position
4. Providing Accounting Information to its Users

Q3: Define trial balance

Ans: A trial balance is a statement showing the balances, or total of debits and credits, of all the accounts in the
ledger with a view to verify the arithmetical accuracy of posting into the ledger accounts. Trial balance is an
important statement in the accounting process. Which shows final position of all accounts and helps in preparing the
final statements? The task of preparing the statements is simplified because the accountant can take the account
balances from the trial balance instead of looking them up in the ledger. It is normally prepared at the end of an
accounting year. However, an organization may prepare a trial balance at the end of any chosen period, which may
be monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annually depending upon its requirements.

Long types Questions:

Q6: Define accounting and state its objectives. Describe the role of accounting in the modern world.

Ans: Meaning of Accounting In 1941, The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) had
defined accounting as the art of recording, classifying, and summarizing in a significant manner and in terms of
money, transactions and events which are, in part at least, of financial character, and interpreting the results thereof’.

With greater economic development resulting in changing role of accounting, its scope, became broader. In 1966,
the American Accounting Association (AAA) defined accounting as ‘the process of identifying, measuring and
communicating economic information to permit informed judgments and decisions by users of information’.

In 1970, the Accounting Principles Board of AICPA also emphasized that the function of accounting is to provide
quantitative information, primarily financial in nature, about economic entities, that is intended to be useful in
making economic decisions.

Accounting can therefore be defined as the process of identifying, measuring, recording and communicating the
required information relating to the economic events of an organization to the interested users of such information.
In order to appreciate the exact nature of accounting, we must understand the following relevant aspects of the
definition:
a. Economic Events
b. Identification, Measurement, Recording and Communication
c. Organization
d. Interested Users of Information

1. Economic Event: A business organization involves economic events. An economic event is known as a
happening of consequence to a business organization which consists of transactions and which are
measurable in monetary terms. For example, purchase of machinery, installing and keeping it ready for
manufacturing is an event which comprises number of financial transactions such as buying a machine,
transportation of machine, site preparation for installation of a machine, expenditure incurred on its
 installation and trial runs. Thus, accounting identifies bunch of transactions relating to an economic event.
If an event involves transactions between an outsider and an organization, these are known as external
events. The following are the examples of such transactions:
a. Sale of Reebok shoes to the customers.
b. Rendering services to the customers by Videocon Limited.
c. Purchase of materials from suppliers.
d. Payment of monthly rent to the landlord.
An internal event is an economic event that occurs entirely between the internal wings of an enterprise,
e.g., supply of raw material or components by the stores department to the manufacturing department,
payment of wages to the employees, etc.

2. Identification, Measurement, Recording and Communication: Identification: It means determining what

transactions to record, i.e., to identity events which are to be recorded. It involves observing activities and
selecting those events that are of considered financial character and relate to the organization. The business
transactions and other economic events therefore are evaluated for deciding whether it has to be recorded in
books of account. For example, the value of human resources, changes in managerial policies or
appointment of personnel are important but none of these are recorded in books of account.
3. Measurement: It means quantification (including estimates) of business transactions into financial terms by
using monetary unit, viz. rupees and paisa as a measuring unit. If an event cannot be quantified in monetary
terms, it is not considered for recording in financial accounts. That is why important items like the
appointment of a new managing director, signing of contracts or changes in personnel are not shown in the
books of accounts.
4. Recording: Once the economic events are identified and measured in financial terms, these are recorded in
books of account in monetary terms and in a chronological order. Recording is done in a manner that the
necessary financial information is summarized as per well-established practice and is made available as and
when required.
5. Communication: The economic events are identified, measured and recorded in order that the pertinent
information is generated and communicated in a certain form to management and other internal and
external users. The information is regularly communicated through accounting reports. These reports
provide information that are useful to a variety of users who have an interest in assessing the financial
performance and the position of an enterprise, planning and controlling business activities and making
necessary decisions from time to time. The accounting information system should be designed in such a
way that the right information is communicated to the right person at the right time. Reports can be daily,
weekly, monthly, or quarterly, depending upon the needs of the users. An important element in the
communication process is the accountant’s ability and efficiency in presenting the relevant information.

6. Organization: Organization refers to a business enterprise, whether for profit or not-for profit motive.
Depending upon the size of activities and level of business operation, it can be a sole-proprietor concern,
partnership firm, cooperative society, company, and local authority, Municipal Corporation or any other
association of persons.

7. Interested Users of Information: Accounting is a means by which necessary financial information about
business enterprise is communicated and is also called the language of business. Many users need financial
information in order to make important decisions. These users can be divided into two broad categories:
internal users and external users. Internal users include: Chief Executive, Financial Officer, Vice
President, Business Unit Managers, Plant Managers, Store Managers, Line Supervisors, etc. External users
include: present and potential Investors (shareholders), Creditors (Banks and other Financial Institutions,
Debenture holders and other Lenders), Tax Authorities, Regulatory Agencies (Department of Company
Affairs, Registrar of Companies, Securities Exchange Board of India, Labour Unions, Trade Associations,
Stock Exchange and Customers, etc. Since the primary function of accounting is to provide useful
information for decision-making, it is a means to an end, with the end being the decision that is helped by
the availability of accounting information.

Objectives of Accounting

As an information system, the basic objective of accounting is to provide useful information to the
interested group of users, both external and internal. The necessary information, particularly in case of
external users, is provided in the form of financial statements, viz., profit and loss account and balance
sheet. Besides these, the management is provided with additional information from time to time from the
accounting records of business. Thus, the primary objectives of accounting include the following:

 Maintenance of Records of Business Transactions: Accounting is used for the maintenance of a

systematic record of all financial transactions in book of accounts. Even the most brilliant
executive or manager cannot accurately remember the numerous amount of varied transactions
such as purchases, sales, receipts, payments, etc. that takes place in business every day. Hence,
 proper and complete records of all business transactions are kept regularly. Moreover, the recorded
information enables verifiability and acts as evidence.

 Calculation of Profit and Loss: The owners of business are keen to have an idea about the net
results of their business operations periodically, i.e. whether the business has earned profits or
incurred losses. Thus, another objective of accounting is to ascertain the profit earned or loss
sustained by a business during an accounting period which can be easily workout with help of
record of incomes and expenses relating to the business by preparing a profit or loss account for
the period. Profit represents excess of revenue (income), over expenses. If the total revenue of a
given period is Rs 6,00,000 and total expenses are Rs. 5,40,000 the profit will be equal to Rs.
60,000(Rs. 6,00,000 – Rs. 5,40,000). If however, the total expenses exceed the total revenue, the
difference reflects the loss.

 Depiction of Financial Position: Accounting also aims at ascertaining the financial position of the
business concern in the form of its assets and liabilities at the end of every accounting period. A
proper record of resources owned by business organization (Assets) and claims against such
resources (Liabilities) facilitates the preparation of a statement known as balance sheet position
statement.

 Providing Accounting Information to its Users: The accounting information generated by the
accounting process is communicated in the form of reports, statements, graphs and charts to the
users who need it in different decision situations. As already stated, there are two main user
groups, viz. internal users, mainly management, who needs timely information on cost of sales,
profitability, etc. for planning, controlling and decision-making and external users who have
limited authority, ability and resources to obtain the necessary information and have to rely on
financial statements (Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss account)

Role of Accounting

 For centuries, the role of accounting has been changing with the changes in economic development and
increasing societal demands. It describes and analyses a mass of data of an enterprise through
measurement, classification and summarization, and reduces those date into reports and statements, which
show the financial condition and results of operations of that enterprise.
 Hence, it is regarded as a language of business. It also performs the service activity by providing
quantitative financial information that helps the users in various ways. Accounting as an information
system collects and communicates economic information about an enterprise to a wide variety of interested
parties.
 However, accounting information relates to the past transactions and is quantitative and financial in nature,
it does not provide qualitative and nonfinancial information. These limitations of accounting must be kept
in view while making use of the accounting information.

Q7: ‘The accounting concepts and accounting standards are generally referred to as the essence of financial
accounting’. Comment?

Ans: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP): Generally Accepted Accounting principles refer to the
rules or guidelines adopted for recording and reporting of business transactions in order to bring uniformity
in the preparation and presentation of financial statements. These principles are also referred to as concepts
and conventions. From the practicality view point, the various terms such as principles, postulates,
conventions modifying principles, assumptions, etc. have been used interchangeably and are referred to as
basic accounting concepts, in the present book.

Basic Accounting Concepts: The basic accounting concepts are referred to as the fundamental ideas or basic
assumptions underlying the theory and practice of financial accounting and are broad working rules of
accounting activities.

 Business Entity: This concept assumes that business has distinct and separate entity from its owners. Thus,
for the purpose of accounting, business and its owners are to be treated as two separate entities. Every
business requires to be accounted for separately by the proprietor. Personal and business-related dealings
should not be mixed.

 Money Measurement: The concept of money measurement states that only those transactions and
happenings in an organization, which can be expressed in terms of money are to be recorded in the book of
accounts. Also, the records of the transactions are to be kept not in the physical units but in the monetary
units.
 Going Concern: The concept of going concern assumes that a business firm would continue to carry out its
operations indefinitely (for a fairly long period of time) and would not be liquidated in the near future. The
business will continue operating and will not close but will realize assets and discharge liabilities in the
normal course of operations Principles derived from tradition, such as the concept of matching. In any
report of financial statements (audit, compilation, review, etc.), the preparer/auditor must indicate to the
reader whether or not the information contained within the statements complies with GAAP.

 Accounting Period : Accounting period refers to the span of time at the end of which the financial
statements of an enterprise are prepared to know whether it has earned profits or incurred losses during that
period and what exactly is the position of its assets and liabilities, at the end of that period.

 Cost Concept: The cost concept requires that all assets are recorded in the book of accounts at their cost
price, which includes cost of acquisition, transportation, installation and making the asset ready for the use.
To illustrate, on June 2005, an old plant was purchased for Rs. 50 lakh by Shiva Enterprise, which is into
the business of manufacturing detergent powder. An amount of Rs. 10,000 was spent on transporting the
plant to the factory site. In addition, Rs. 15,000 was spent on repairs for bringing the plant into running
position and Rs. 25,000 on its installation. The total amount at which the plant will be recorded in the
books of account would be the sum of all these, i.e. Rs. 50,50,000.

 Dual Aspect: This concept states that every transaction has a dual or two fold effect on various accounts
and should therefore be recorded at two places. The duality principle is commonly expressed in terms of
fundamental accounting equation, which is : Assets = Liabilities + Capital

 Revenue Recognition: Revenue is the gross in-flow of cash arising from the sale of goods and services by
an enterprise and use by others of the enterprise resources yielding interest royalties and dividedness. The
concept of revenue recognition requires that the revenue for a business transaction should be considered
realized when a legal right to receive it arises.

 Matching: The concept of matching emphasizes that expenses incurred in an accounting period should be
matched with revenues during that period. It follows from this that the revenue and expenses incurred to
earn these revenue must belong to the same accounting period.

 Full Disclosure: This concept requires that all material and relevant facts concerning financial
performance of an enterprise must be fully and completely disclosed in the financial statements and their
accompanying footnotes.

 Consistency: these concepts state that accounting policies and practices followed by enterprises should be
uniform and consistent one the period of time so that results are compostable. Comparability results when
the same accounting principles are consistently being applied by different enterprises for the period under
comparison, or the same firm for a number of periods.

 Conservatism: This concept requires that business transactions should be recorded in such a manner that
profits are not overstated. All anticipated losses should be accounted for but all unrealized gains should be
ignored.

 Materiality: This concept states that accounting should focus on material facts. If the item is likely to
influence the decision of a reasonably prudent investor or creditor, it should be regarded as material, and
shown in the financial statements

 Objectivity: According to this concept, accounting transactions should be recorded in the manner so that it
is free from the bias of accountants and others.
 UNIT-II
Depreciation accounting; preparation of final accounts (non-corporate entities) along with major
adjustments
Short type questions
Q1: Define depreciation.

Ans: Depreciation may be described as a permanent, continuing and gradual shrinkage in the book value of fixed
assets. It is based on the cost of assets consumed in a business and not on its market value.

Accounting Standard-6 issued by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) defines depreciation as “a
measure of the wearing out, consumption or other loss of value of depreciable asset arising from use, effluxion of
time or obsolescence through technology and market-change.

Depreciation is allocated so as to charge fair proportion of depreciable amount in each accounting period during the
expected useful life of the asset. Depreciation includes amortization of assets whose useful life is pre-determined”.

Q2: Define Financial Statements.

Ans: The basic objectives of preparing financial statements are:
 To present a true and fair view of the financial performance of the business
 To present a true and fair view of the financial position of the business; and

For this purpose, the firm usually prepares the following financial statements:
1. Trading and Profit and Loss Account
2. Balance Sheet
Trading and Profit and Loss account, also known as Income statement, shows the financial performance in the form
of profit earned or loss sustained by the business. Balance Sheet shows financial position in the form of assets,
liabilities and capital. These are prepared on the basis of trial balance and additional information, if any.

Q3: Define Straight Line Method?

Ans: It is also called fixed installment method because the amount of depreciation remains constant from year to
year over the useful life of the asset. According to this method, a fixed and an equal amount is charged as
depreciation in every accounting period during the lifetime of an asset. The amount annually charged as depreciation
is such that it reduces the original cost of the asset to its scrap value, at the end of its useful life. This method is also
known as fixed percentage on original cost method because same percentage of the original cost (infact depreciable
cost) is written off as depreciation from year to year.
The depreciation amount to be provided under this method is computed by using the following formula:

Cost of asset ------ Estimated net residential value

Depreciation = Estimated useful life of the asset

Q4: Define written down method?

Ans: Under this method, depreciation is charged on the book value of the asset. Since book value keeps on reducing
by the annual charge of depreciation, it is also known as reducing balance method. This method involves the
application of a pre-determined proportion/percentage of the book value of the asset at the beginning of every
accounting period, so as to calculate the amount of depreciation. The amount of depreciation reduces year after year.
For example, the original cost of the asset is Rs. 2,00,000 and depreciation is charged @ 10% p.a. at written down
value, then the amount of depreciation will be computed as follows:
(i) Depreciation (I year) = Rs. 20,00,000 *10/100= Rs. 20,000

Q5: Difference between Straight line method vs written down method.

Ans:
Basis of Difference Straight Line Method Written Down Value Method
1. Basis of charging depreciation Original cost Book Value (i.e. original cost less
depreciation charged till date)
2. Annual depreciation charge Fixed (Constant) year Declines year after year
3. Total charge against profit and loss Almost equal every Unequal year after year. It
account in respect of depreciation and year. increases in later years.
repairs
4. Recognition by income tax law Not recognized Recognized
Q6: Elaborate Sinking fund
Ans: A sinking fund is a fund established by a government agency or business for the purpose of reducing
debt by repaying or purchasing outstanding loans and securities
Long Types Questions

Q1: Explain the concept of depreciation. What is the need for charging depreciation and what are the causes of
depreciation?
Or
Discuss in detail the straight line method and written down value method of depreciation. Distinguish between the
two and also give situations where they are useful.

Ans: Depreciation may be described as a permanent, continuing and gradual shrinkage in the book value of fixed
assets. It is based on the cost of assets consumed in a business and not on its market value.
According to Institute of Cost and Management Accounting, London (ICMA) terminology “ The depreciation is the
diminution in intrinsic value of the asset due to use and/or lapse of time.”
Accounting Standard-6 issued by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) defines depreciation as “a
measure of the wearing out, consumption or other loss of value of depreciable asset arising from use, effluxion of
time or obsolescence through technology and market-change.
Depreciation is allocated so as to charge fair proportion of depreciable amount in each accounting period during the
expected useful life of the asset. Depreciation includes amortization of assets whose useful life is pre-determined”.

Need for Depreciation

The need for providing depreciation in accounting records arises from conceptual, legal, and practical business
consideration. These considerations provide depreciation a particular significance as a business expense.

1. Matching of Costs and Revenue: The rationale of the acquisition of fixed assets in business operations is
that these are used in the earning of revenue. Every asset is bound to undergo some wear and tear, and
hence lose value, once it is put to use in business. Therefore, depreciation is as much the cost as any other
expense incurred in the normal course of business like salary, carriage, postage and stationary, etc. It is a
charge against the revenue of the corresponding period and must be deducted before arriving at net profit
according to ‘Generally Accepted Accounting Principles’.

2. Consideration of Tax: Depreciation is a deductible cost for tax purposes. However, tax rules for the
calculation of depreciation amount need not necessarily be similar to current business practices,

3. True and Fair Financial Position: If depreciation on assets is not provided for, then the assets will be
overvalued and the balance sheet will not depict the correct financial position of the business. Also, this is
not permitted either by established accounting practices or by specific provisions of law.

4. Compliance with Law: Apart from tax regulations, there are certain specific legislations that indirectly
compel some business organizations like corporate enterprises to provide depreciation on fixed assets.

Factors Affecting the Amount of Depreciation

The determination of depreciation depends on three parameters, viz. cost, estimated useful life and probable salvage
value.

 Cost of Asset: Cost (also known as original cost or historical cost) of an asset includes invoice price and
other costs, which are necessary to put the asset in use or working condition. Besides the purchase price, it
includes freight and transportation cost, transit insurance, installation cost, registration cost, commissions
paid on purchase of asset add items such as software, etc. In case of purchase of a second hand asset it
includes initial repair cost to put the asset in workable condition. According to Accounting Standand-6 of
ICAI, cost of a fixed asset is “the total cost spent in connection with its acquisition, installation and
commissioning as well as for addition or improvement of the depreciable asset”.
For example, a photocopy machine is purchased for Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 5,000 is spent on its transportation and
installation. In this case the original cost of the machine is Rs. 55,000 (i.e. Rs. 50,000 + Rs.5,000 ) which will be
written off as depreciation over the useful life of the machine.

 Estimated Net Residual Value: Net Residual value (also known as scrap value or salvage value for
accounting purpose) is the estimated net realizable value (or sale value) of the asset at the end of its useful
life. The net residual value is calculated after deducting the expenses necessary for the disposal of the asset.
 For example, a machine is purchased for Rs. 50,000 and is expected to have a useful life of 10 years. At the
end of 10th year it is expected to have a sale value of Rs. 6,000 but expenses related to its disposal are
estimated at Rs. 1,000. Then its net residual value shall be Rs. 5,000 (i.e. Rs. 6,000 – Rs. 1,000).

 Depreciable Cost: Depreciable cost of an asset is equal to its cost (as calculated in point 7.5.1 above) less
net residual value (as calculated in point 7.5.2,) Hence, in the above example, the depreciable cost of
machine is Rs. 45,000 (i.e., Rs. 50,000 – Rs. 5,000.) It is the depreciable cost, which is distributed and
charged as depreciation expense over the estimated useful life of the asset. In the above example, Rs.
45,000 shall be charged as depreciation over a period of 10 years. It is important to mention here that total
amount of depreciation charged over the useful life of the asset must be equal to the depreciable cost. If
total amount of depreciation charged is less than the depreciable cost then the capital expenditure is under
recovered. It violates the principle of proper matching of revenue and expense.

 Estimated Useful Life: Useful life of an asset is the estimated economic or commercial life of the asset.
Physical life is not important for this purpose because an asset may still exist physically but may not be
capable of commercially viable production. For example, a machine is purchased and it is estimated that it
can be used in production process for 5 years. After 5 years the machine may still be in good physical
condition but can’t be used for production profitably, i.e., if it is still used the cost of production may be
very high. Therefore, the useful life of the machine is considered as 5 years irrespective of its physical life.
Estimation of useful life of an asset is difficult as it depends upon several factors such as usage level of
asset, maintenance of the asset, technological changes, market changes, etc. As per Accounting Standard –
6 useful life of an asset is normally the “period over which it is expected to be used by the enterprise”.
Normally, useful life is shorter than the physical life. The useful life of an asset is expressed in number of
years but it can also be expressed in other units, e.g., number of units of output (as in case of mines) or
number of working hours. Useful life depends upon the following factors:

• Pre-determined by legal or contractual limits, e.g. in case of leasehold asset, the useful life is the period of
lease.
• The number of shifts for which asset is to be used.
• Repair and maintenance policy of the business organization.
• Technological obsolescence.
• Innovation/improvement in production method.

Or

Q2: Discuss in detail the straight line method and written down value method of depreciation. Distinguish
between the two and also give situations where they are useful.

Ans: The depreciation amounts to be charged for during an accounting year depend up on depreciable amount
and the method of allocation. For this, two methods are mandated by law and enforced by professional
accounting practice in India. These methods are straight line method and written down value method. Besides
these two main methods there are other methods such as – annuity method, depreciation fund method,
insurance policy method, sum of years digit method, double declining method, etc. which may be used for
determining the amount of depreciation. The selection of an appropriate method depends upon the following:

Type of the asset;

• Nature of the use of such asset;
• Circumstances prevailing in the business;

As per Accounting Standard-6, the selected depreciation method should be applied consistently from period
to period. Change in depreciation method may be allowed only under specific circumstances.

Straight Line Method: This is the earliest and one of the widely used methods of providing depreciation.
This method is based on the assumption of equal usage of the asset over its entire useful life. It is called
straight line for a reason that if the amount of depreciation and corresponding time period is plotted on a
graph, it will result in a straight line. It is also called fixed installment method because the amount of
depreciation remains constant from year to year over the useful life of the asset. According to this method, a
fixed and an equal amount is charged as depreciation in every accounting period during the lifetime of an
asset. The amount annually charged as depreciation is such that it reduces the original cost of the asset to its
scrap value, at the end of its useful life. This method is also known as fixed percentage on original cost
method because same percentage of the original cost (infact depreciable cost) is written off as depreciation
from year to year.
The depreciation amount to be provided under this method is computed by using the following formula:
 Cost of asset ------ Estimated net residential value
Depreciation = Estimated useful life of the asset

Advantages of Straight Line Method: Straight Line method has certain advantages which are stated below:

• It is very simple, easy to understand and apply. Simplicity makes it a popular method in practice;
• Asset can be depreciated up to the net scrap value or zero value. Therefore, this method makes it possible to
distribute full depreciable cost over useful life of the asset;
• Every year, same amount is charged as depreciation in profit and loss account. This makes comparison of
profits for different years easy;
• This method is suitable for those assets whose useful life can be estimated accurately and where the use of
the asset is consistent from year to year such as leasehold buildings.

Limitations of Straight Line Method

Although straight line method is simple and easy to apply it suffers from certain limitations which are given
below.
• This method is based on the faulty assumption of same utility of the asset in different accounting years;
• With the passage of time, work efficiency of the asset decreases and repair and maintenance expense
increases. Hence, under this method total amount charged against profit on account of depreciation and repair
taken together will not be uniform throughout the life of the asset, rather it will keep on increasing from year
to year.

Written Down Value Method: Under this method, depreciation is charged on the book value of the asset.
Since book value keeps on reducing by the annual charge of depreciation, it is also known as reducing
balance method. This method involves the application of a pre-determined proportion/percentage of the book
value of the asset at the beginning of every accounting period, so as to calculate the amount of depreciation.
The amount of depreciation reduces year after year. For example, the original cost of the asset is Rs. 2,00,000
and depreciation is charged @ 10% p.a. at written down value, then the amount of depreciation will be
computed as follows:
(i) Depreciation (I year) = Rs. 20,00,000 *10/100= Rs. 20,000

Advantages of Written Down Value Method: Written down value method has the following advantages:
• This method is based on a more realistic assumption that the benefits from asset go on diminishing with the
passage of time. Hence, it calls for proper allocation of cost because higher depreciation is charged in earlier
years when asset’s utility is more as compared to later years when it becomes less useful;

• It results into almost equal burden on profit or loss account of depreciation and repair expenses taken
together every year; Income Tax Act accept this method for tax purposes;
• As a large portion of cost is written-off in earlier years, loss due to obsolescence gets reduced;
• This method is suitable for fixed assets, which lasts for long and which require increased repair and
maintenance expenses with passage of time. It can also be used where obsolescence rate is high.

Limitations of Written Down Value Method

Although this method is based upon a more realistic assumption it suffers from the following limitations.
• As depreciation is calculated at fixed percentage of written down value, depreciable cost of the asset cannot
be fully written-off. The value of the asset can never be zero;
• It is difficult to ascertain a suitable rate of depreciation.

Straight line method is suitable for assets in which repair charges are less, the possibility of obsolescence is
less and scrap value depends upon the time period involved. Such as freehold land and buildings, patents,
trademarks, etc. Written down value method is suitable for assets, which are affected by technological
changes and require more repair expenses with passage of time such as plant and machinery, vehicles, etc.

Basis of Difference Straight Line Method Written Down Value Method

1. Basis of charging depreciation Original cost Book Value (i.e. original cost less
depreciation charged till date)
2. Annual depreciation charge Fixed (Constant) year Declines year after year
3. Total charge against profit and loss Almost equal every Unequal year after year. It
account in respect of depreciation and year. increases in later years.
repairs
4. Recognition by income tax law Not recognized Recognized
Q3: What are financial statements? What information do they provide?

Ans: The basic objectives of preparing financial statements are:

(a) To present a true and fair view of the financial performance of the business;
(b) To present a true and fair view of the financial position of the business; and
For this purpose, the firm usually prepares the following financial statements:
1. Trading and Profit and Loss Account
2. Balance Sheet
Trading and Profit and Loss account, also known as Income statement, shows the financial performance in the
form of profit earned or loss sustained by the business. Balance Sheet shows financial position in the form of assets,
liabilities and capital. These are prepared on the basis of trial balance and additional information, if any.

Trading and Profit and Loss Account: Trading and Profit and Loss account is prepared to determine the profit
earned or loss sustained by the business enterprise during the accounting period. It is basically a summary of
revenues and expenses of the business and calculates the net figure termed as profit or loss. Profit is revenue less
expenses. If expenses are more than revenues, the figure is termed as loss. Trading and Profit and Loss account
summarizes the performance for an accounting period. It is achieved by transferring the balances of revenues and
expenses to the trading and profit and loss account from the trial balance. Trading and Profit and Loss account is
also an account with Debit and Credit sides. It can be observed that debit balances (representing expenses) and
losses are transferred to the debit side of the Trading and a Profit and Loss account and credit balance (representing
revenues/gains) are transferred to its credit side.

Relevant Items in Trading and Profit and Loss Account

The different items appearing in the trading and profit and loss account are explained hereunder:
Items on the debit side
(i) Opening stock : It is the stock of goods in hand at the beginning of the accounting year. This is the stock of goods
which has been carried forward from the previous year and remains unchanged during the year and appears in the
trial balance. In the trading account it appears on the debit side because it forms the part of cost of goods sold for the
current accounting year.
(ii) Purchases less returns : Goods, which have been bought for resale appears as purchases on the debit side of the
trading account. They include both cash as well as credit purchases. Goods which are returned to suppliers are
termed as purchases return. It is shown by way of deduction from purchases and the computed amount is known as
Net purchases.
(iii) Wages : Wages refer to renumeration paid to workers who are directly engaged in factory for loading, unloading
and production of goods and are debited to trading account.
(iv) Carriage inwards/Freight inwards: These expenses are the items of transport expenses, which are incurred on
bringing materials/goods purchased to the place of business. These items are paid in respect of purchases made
during the year and are debited to the trading account.
(v) Fuel/Water/Power/Gas : These items are used in the production process and hence are part of expenses.
(vi) Packaging material and Packing charges : Cost of packaging material used in the product are direct expenses as
it refers to small containers which form part of goods sold. However, the packing refers to the big containers that are
used for transporting the goods and is regarded as an indirect expense debited to profit and loss account.
(vii) Salaries : These include salaries paid to the administration, godown and warehouse staff for the services
rendered by them for running the business. If salaries are paid in kind by providing certain facilities (called perks) to
the employees such as rent free accommodation, meals, uniform, medical facilities should also be regarded as
salaries and debited to the profit and loss account.
(viii) Rent paid : These include office and godown rent, municipal rates and taxes, factory rent, rates and taxes. The
amount of rent paid is shown on the debit side of the profit and loss account.
(ix) Interest paid : Interest paid on loans, bank overdraft, renewal of bills of exchange, etc. is an expense and is
debited to profit and loss account.
(x) Commission paid: Commission paid or payable on business transactions undertaken through the agents is an
item of expense and is debited to profit and loss account.
(xi) Repairs : Repairs and small renewals/ replacements relating to plant and machinery, furniture, fixtures, fittings,
etc. for keeping them in working condition are included under this head. Such expenditure is debited to profit and
loss account.
(xii) Miscellaneous expenses : Though expenses are classified and booked under different heads, but certain
expenses being of small amount clubbed together and are called miscellaneous expenses. In normal usage these
expenses are called Sundry expenses or Trade expenses.
Items on the credit side
(i) Sales less returns : Sales account in trial balance shows gross total sales(cash as well as credit) made during the
year. It is shown on the credit side of the trading account. Goods returned by customers are called return inwards
and are shown as deduction from total sales and the computed amount is known as net sales.
(ii) Other incomes : Besides salaries and other gains and incomes are also recorded in the profit and loss account.
Examples of such incomes are rent received, dividend received, interest received, discount received, commission
received, etc.
Preparing Balance Sheet
All the account of assets, liabilities and capital are shown in the balance sheet. Accounts of capital and liabilities are
shown on the left hand side, known as Liabilities. Assets and other debit balances are shown on the right hand side,
known as Assets. There is no prescribed form of Balance sheet, for a proprietary and partnership firms. However,
Schedule VI Part I of the Companies Act 1956 prescribes the format and the order in which the assets and liabilities
of a company should be shown.

Q4: What adjusting entries would you record for the following?
Ans: These are adjusted at the time of preparing financial statements. The purpose of making various adjustments is
to ensure that the final accounts reveal the true profit or loss and the true financial position of the business. The
items which usually need adjustments are:
1. Closing stock
2. Outstanding/expenses
3. Prepaid/Unexpired expenses
4. Accrued income
5. Income received in advance
6. Depreciation
7. Bad debts
8. Provision for doubtful debts
9. Provision for discount on debtors
10. Manager’s commission
11. Interest on capital
 Closing Stock
Closing stock represents the cost of unsold goods lying in the stores at the end of the accounting period. The
adjustment with regard to the closing stock is done by
(i) by crediting it to the trading and profit and loss account, and
(ii) By showing it on the asset side of the balance sheet. The adjustment entry to be recorded in this regard
is :

Closing stock A/c Dr.

To Trading A/c
The closing stock of the year becomes the opening stock of the next year and is reflected in the trial balance of the
next year.
 Outstanding Expenses
It is quite common for a business enterprise to have some unpaid expenses in the normal course of business
operations at the end of an accounting year. Such items usually are wages, salaries, interest on loan, etc. When
expenses of an accounting period remain unpaid at the end of an accounting period, they are termed as outstanding
expenses. As they relate to the earning of revenue during the current accounting year, it is logical that they should be
duly charged against revenue for computation of the correct amount of profit or loss. The entry to bring such
expenses into account is:
Concerned expense A/c Dr.
To Outstanding expense A/c
The above entry opens a new account called Outstanding Expenses which is shown on the liabilities side of the
balance sheet. The amount of outstanding expenses is added to the total of expenses under a particular head for the
purpose of preparing trading and profit and loss account.
 Prepaid Expenses
There are several items of expense which are paid in advance in the normal course of business operations. At the end
of the accounting year, it is found that the benefits of such expenses have not yet been fully received; a portion of its
benefit would be received in the next accounting year. This portion of expense is carried forward to the next year
and is termed as prepaid expenses. The necessary adjustment in respect of prepaid expenses is made by recording
the following entry:
Prepaid expense A/c Dr.
To concerned expense A/c
The effect of the above adjustment entry is that the amount of prepaid part is deducted from the total of the
particular expense, and the new account of prepaid expense is shown on the liabilities side of the balance sheet.
 Accrued Income
It may also happen that certain items of income such as interest on loan, commission, rent, etc. are earned during the
current accounting year but have not been actually received by the end of the same year. Such incomes are known as
accrued income. The adjusting entry for accrued income is :
Accrued income A/c Dr.
To Concerned income A/c
The amount of accrued income will be added to the related income in the profit and loss account and the new
account of accrued income will appear on the asset side of the balance sheet.
  Income Received in Advance
Sometimes, a certain income is received but the whole amount of it does not belong to the current period. The
portion of the income which belongs to the next accounting period is termed as income received in advance or an
Unearned Income. Income received in advance is adjusted by recording the following entry:
Concerned income A/c Dr.
To Income received in advance A/c
The effect of this entry will be that the balance in the income account will be equal to the amount of income earned
for the current accounting period, and the new account of income received in advance will be shown as a liability in
the balance sheet.
 Depreciation
Depreciation is the decline in the value of assets on account of wear and tear and passage of time. It is treated as a
business expense and is debited to profit and loss account. This, in effect, amounts to writing-off a portion of the
cost of an asset which has been used in the business for the purpose of earning profits. The entry for providing
depreciation is :
Depreciation A/c Dr.
To Concerned asset A/c
In the balance sheet, the asset will be shown at cost minus the amount of depreciation.
 Bad Debts
Bad debts refer to the amount that the firm has not been able to realise from its debtors. It is regarded as a loss and is
termed as bad debt. The entry for recording bad debt is:
Bad debts A/c Dr.
To Debtors A/c
 Provision for Bad and Doubtful Debts
It is quite possible that the whole of this amount may not be realised in future. However, it is not possible to
accurately know the amount of such bad debts. Hence, we make a reasonable estimate of such loss and provide the
same. Such provision is called provision for bad debts and is created by debiting profit and loss account. The
following journal entry is recorded in this context :
Profit and Loss A/c Dr.
To Provision for doubtful debts A/c
Provision for doubtful debts is also shown as a deduction from the debtors on the asset side of the balance sheet
 Provision for Discount on Debtors
A business enterprise allows discount to its debtors to encourage prompt payments. Discount likely to be allowed to
customers in an accounting year can be estimated and provided for by creating a provision for discount on debtors.
Provision for discount is made on good debtors who are arrived at by deducting further bad debts and the provision
for doubtful debts. The following journal entry is recorded to create provision for discount on debtors:
Profit and loss A/c Dr.
To Provision for discount on debtors A/c
 Manager’s Commission
The manager of the business is sometimes given the commission on the net profit of the company. The percentage of
the commission is applied on the profit either before charging such commission or after charging such commission.
In the absence of any such information, it is assumed that commission is allowed as a percentage of the net profit
before charging such commission.
Suppose the net profit of a business is Rs. 110 before charging commission. If the manager is entitled to 10% of the
profit before charging such commission, the commission will be calculated as :
= Rs. 110 × 10/100 = Rs. 11
 Interest on Capital
Sometimes, the proprietor may like to know the profit made by the business after providing for interest on capital. In
such a situation, interest is calculated at a given rate of interest on capital as at the beginning of the accounting year.
If however, any additional capital is brought during the year, the interest may also be computed on such amount
from the date on which it was brought into the business. Such interest is treated as expense for the business and the
following journal entry is recorded in the books of account:
Interest on capital A/c Dr.
To Capital A/c
In the final accounts, it is shown as an expense on the debit side of the profit and loss account and added to capital in
the balance
 UNIT-III
Rectification of errors; accounts of non-profit organization, joint venture accounts
 UNIT-IV
Hire purchase, lease and installment purchase system accounting; consignment accounts

Short Types Questions:

Q1: Define Hire-Purchase:

Ans: Hire purchase is a type of installment credit under which the hire purchaser, called the hirer, agrees
to take the goods on hire at a stated rental, which is inclusive of the repayment of principal as well as
interest, with an option to purchase. Under this transaction, the hire purchaser acquires the property
(goods) immediately on signing the hire purchase agreement but the ownership or title of the same is
transferred only when the last installment is paid. The hire purchase system is regulated by the Hire
Purchase Act 1972. This Act defines a hire purchase as “an agreement under which goods are let on hire
and under which the hirer has an option to purchase them in accordance with the terms of the agreement
and includes an agreement under which:
1) The owner delivers possession of goods thereof to a person on condition that such person pays the
agreed amount in periodic installments.
2) The property in the goods is to pass to such person on the payment of the last of such
installments’, and
3) Such person has a right to terminate the agreement at any time before the property so passes”.

Q2: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEASE FINANCING AND HIRE PURCHASE

Ans:
BASIS LEASE FINANCING HIRE PURCHASE
Meaning A lease transaction is a commercial Hire purchase is a type of installment
arrangement, whereby an equipment credit under which the hire purchaser
owner or manufacturer conveys to the agrees to take the goods on hire at a
equipment user the right to use the stated rental, which is inclusive of
equipment in return for a rental. the repayment of principal as well as
interest, with an option to purchase.
Option to user No option is provided to the lessee Option is provided to the hirer (user).
(user) to purchase the goods.
Nature of Lease rentals paid by the lessee are Only interest element included in the
expenditure entirely revenue expenditure of the HP installments’ is revenue
lessee. expenditure by nature.
Components Lease rentals comprise of 2 elements HP installments’ comprise of 3
(1) finance charge and elements (1) normal trading profit
(2) capital recovery. (2) finance charge and
(3) recovery of cost of goods/assets.

Q3: Define Lease Financing:

Ans: A lease transaction is a commercial arrangement whereby an equipment owner or Manufacturer

conveys to the equipment user the right to use the equipment in return for a rental. In other words, lease is
a contract between the owner of an asset (the lessor) and its user (the lessee) for the right to use the asset
during a specified period in return for a mutually agreed periodic payment (the lease rentals). The
important feature of a lease contract is separation of the ownership of the asset from its usage.

Q4: What are the types of lease Agreements?

Ans: Lease agreements are basically of two types. They are

(a) Financial lease and
(b) Operating lease.
The other variations in lease agreements are
(c) Sale and lease back
(d) Leveraged leasing and
(e) Direct leasing.
Q5: Define Direct Leasing?

Ans: Under direct leasing, a firm acquires the right to use an asset from the manufacturer directly. The
ownership of the asset leased out remains with the manufacturer itself. The major types of direct lessor
include manufacturers, finance companies, independent lease companies, special purpose leasing
companies etc

Q6: Define Consignment

Ans: Consignment is a means of facilitating sale but is not actually a sale. Consignment is different from
sales. A consignment is returnable if goods are not sold but in case of sale, the goods are not returnable
except for special reasons, such as on account of damage or if below standard goods are supplied. When
goods are sold to a person the property in them passes to that person, but when goods are consigned to a
person the legal ownership of the goods remains with the consignor. Hence when goods are sold the
relationship between two parties is that of a creditor and debtor but when the goods are consigned
relationship between the consignors and consignee is that of ‘principal’ and ‘an agent’.

Q7: Who is Consignee?

Ans: Consignee is a person to whom goods are sent and who sells the goods. He is entitled to gets
reimbursement of all the expenses incurred by him. He receives commission for his services.

Q8: Del-Credere Commission

Ans: Ordinarily the consignee is not responsible to the consignor for the payment of money by the
purchasers but sometime he undertakes to guarantee payment due for all the goods he sells on credit and
cash whether his customers pay him or not. In consideration of his warranting the solvency of the buyers,
he is paid an extra commission called a Del Credre Commission. The consignee will pay the consignor
whether he himself receives payment from debtors or not. The commission is payable on total proceeds.

Long Types Questions:

Q1: Define 'Consignment'. What is the difference between a consignment and a sale of goods?

Ans: Consignment is a means of facilitating sale but is not actually a sale. Consignment is different from
sales. A consignment is returnable if goods are not sold but in case of sale, the goods are not returnable
except for special reasons, such as on account of damage or if below standard goods are supplied. When
goods are sold to a person the property in them passes to that person, but when goods are consigned to a
person the legal ownership of the goods remains with the consignor. Hence when goods are sold the
relationship between two parties is that of a creditor and debtor but when the goods are consigned
relationship between the consignors and consignee is that of ‘principal’ and ‘an agent’.

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT OF CONSIGNMENT TRANSACTIONS

(A) Books of the Consignor: The consignor opens three accounts in his ledger.
(1) Consignment Account: It is prepared to ascertain profit or loss on each consignment e.g.
Consignment to Bombay Accounts. It is not a personal account but a special Trading and Profit and Loss
account or a nominal account.
(2) Consignee’s Account: It is prepared to show the balance due to or from consignee at a particular date.
It is a personal account; and
(3) Goods sent on Consignment Account: It is prepared to show the amount of goods sent to the
consignee. This is real account. The balance is credited to Purchase or Trading Account.

The following points summarize clearly, the difference between a consignment and a sale.
Basis Consignment Sale
Property in goods i.e. Ownership remains with the Ownership passed to the buyer
Ownership consignor
Relation Consignee is the agent of the Buyer is debtor of seller until the
 consignor account is settled.
Risk and damage Consignee holds the goods at the Any subsequent damage to the
risk of the consignor therefore goods is the loss of the buyer
subsequent damage to the goods
is the loss of the consignor
Return of goods Goods may be returned if not Goods are not returnable except
sold for special reasons e.g. wrong
kind or defective goods etc.
Expenses after delivery Recoverable from the consignor To be borne by the buyer
Forwarding letter Proforma invoice Invoice

Q2: Explain the term Leasing. State the various types of lease agreements. What are the advantages of
Leasing?
Ans: A lease transaction is a commercial arrangement whereby an equipment owner or Manufacturer
conveys to the equipment user the right to use the equipment in return for a rental. In other words, lease is
a contract between the owner of an asset (the lessor) and its user (the lessee) for the right to use the asset
during a specified period in return for a mutually agreed periodic payment (the lease rentals). The
important feature of a lease contract is separation of the ownership of the asset from its usage.

TYPES OF LEASE AGREEMENTS

Lease agreements are basically of two types.
They are
(a) Financial lease and
(b) Operating lease.
The other variations in lease agreements are
(c) Sale and lease back
(d) Leveraged leasing and
(e) Direct leasing.

1. FINANCIAL LEASE: Long-term, non-cancellable lease contracts are known as financial leases. The
essential point of financial lease agreement is that it contains a condition whereby the lessor agrees to
transfer the title for the asset at the end of the lease period at a nominal cost. At lease it must give an
option to the lessee to purchase the asset he has used at the expiry of the lease. Under this lease the lessor
recovers 90% of the fair value of the asset as lease rentals and the lease period is 75% of the economic
life of the asset. The lease agreement is irrevocable. Practically all the risks incidental to the asset
ownership and all the benefits arising there from are transferred to the lessee who bears the cost of
maintenance, insurance and repairs. Only title deeds remain with the lessor. Financial lease is also known
as ‘capital lease’. In India, financial leases are very popular with high-cost and high technology
equipment.

2. OPERATING LEASE: An operating lease stands in contrast to the financial lease in almost all
aspects. This lease agreement gives to the lessee only a limited right to use the asset. The lessor is
responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the asset. The lessee is not given any uplift to purchase the
asset at the end of the lease period. Normally the lease is for a short period and even otherwise is
revocable at a short notice. Mines, Computers hardware, trucks and automobiles are found suitable for
operating lease because the rate of obsolescence is very high in this kind of assets.

3. SALE AND LEASE BACK: It is a sub-part of finance lease. Under this, the owner of an asset sells
the asset to a party (the buyer), who in turn leases back the same asset to the owner in consideration of
lease rentals. However, under this arrangement, the assets are not physically exchanged but it all happens
in records only. This is nothing but a paper transaction. Sale and lease back transaction is suitable for
those assets, which are not subjected depreciation but appreciation, say land. The advantage of this
method is that the lessee can satisfy himself completely regarding the quality of the asset and after
possession of the asset convert the sale into a lease arrangement. The sale and lease back transaction can
be expressed with the help of the following figure.
 SALE TRANSACTION
SELLER
SALE VALUE BUYER

LEASE TRANSACTION
LESSEE LESSOR
LEASE RENTALS

Figure 15.2: Structure of a Sale and Leaseback Deal

Under this transaction, the seller assumes the role of a lessee and the buyer assumes the role of a lessor.
The seller gets the agreed selling price and the buyer gets the lease rentals. It is possible to structure the
sale at agreed value (below or above the fair

4. LEVERAGED LEASING: Under leveraged leasing arrangement, a third party is involved beside
lessor and lessee. The lessor borrows a part of the purchase cost (say 80%) of the asset from the third
party i.e., lender and the asset so purchased is held as security against the loan. The lender is paid off from
the lease rentals directly by the lessee and the surplus after meeting the claims of the lender goes to the
lessor. The lessor, the owner of the asset is entitled to depreciation allowance associated with the asset.

Sells Asset Leases Asset

Manufacturer Lessor Lessee

Lender
Figure 15. 3: Leveraged Lease

5. DIRECT LEASING: Under direct leasing, a firm acquires the right to use an asset from the
manufacturer directly. The ownership of the asset leased out remains with the manufacturer itself. The
major types of direct lessor include manufacturers, finance companies, independent lease companies,
special purpose leasing companies etc

ADVANTAGES OF LEASING
There are several extolled advantages of acquiring capital assets on lease:

(1) SAVING OF CAPITAL: Leasing covers the full cost of the equipment used in the business by
providing 100% finance. The lessee is not to provide or pay any margin money as there is no down
payment. In this way the saving in capital or financial resources can be used for other productive purposes
e.g. purchase of inventories.

(2) FLEXIBILITY AND CONVENIENCE: The lease agreement can be tailor- made in respect of lease
period and lease rentals according to the convenience and requirements of all lessees.

(3) PLANNING CASH FLOWS: Leasing enables the lessee to plan its cash flows properly. The rentals
can be paid out of the cash coming into the business from the use of the same assets.

(4) IMPROVEMENT IN LIQUADITY: Leasing enables the lessee to improve their liquidity position by
adopting the sale and lease back technique.
Q3: What is the hire purchase financing? How does it differ from the lease financing?

Ans: Hire purchase is a type of installment credit under which the hire purchaser, called the hirer, agrees
to take the goods on hire at a stated rental, which is inclusive of the repayment of principal as well as
interest, with an option to purchase. Under this transaction, the hire purchaser acquires the property
(goods) immediately on signing the hire purchase agreement but the ownership or title of the same is
transferred only when the last installment is paid. The hire purchase system is regulated by the Hire
Purchase Act 1972. This Act defines a hire purchase as “an agreement under which goods are let on hire
and under which the hirer has an option to purchase them in accordance with the terms of the agreement
and includes an agreement under which:
1) The owner delivers possession of goods thereof to a person on condition that such person pays the
agreed amount in periodic installments.
2) The property in the goods is to pass to such person on the payment of the last of such
installments’, and
3) Such person has a right to terminate the agreement at any time before the property so passes”.

TYPES OF PRICES

Cost Price Cash Price Hire Purchase Price

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEASE FINANCING AND HIRE PURCHASE

BASIS LEASE FINANCING HIRE PURCHASE

Meaning A lease transaction is a commercial Hire purchase is a type of installment
arrangement, whereby an equipment credit under which the hire purchaser
owner or manufacturer conveys to the agrees to take the goods on hire at a
equipment user the right to use the stated rental, which is inclusive of
equipment in return for a rental. the repayment of principal as well as
interest, with an option to purchase.
Option to user No option is provided to the lessee Option is provided to the hirer (user).
(user) to purchase the goods.
Nature of Lease rentals paid by the lessee are Only interest element included in the
expenditure entirely revenue expenditure of the HP installments’ is revenue
lessee. expenditure by nature.
Components Lease rentals comprise of 2 elements HP installments’ comprise of 3
(1) finance charge and elements (1) normal trading profit
(2) capital recovery. (2) finance charge and
(3) recovery of cost of goods/assets.