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Yes, inventory is a current asset. Before moving to the main part of the question. I would like to familiarise you with a few terms such as the meaning of inventory and current asset. I hope this answer will clear all your doubts related to this concept.

Meaning of Inventory

In simple terms, Inventory (stock) is a tangible asset that refers to the stock of goods that is either available for sale in the form of finished products or raw material used in the production of goods meant for sale in some future period held by an enterprise.

For example – A furniture dealer purchases wood, fibreglass, moulded plastic, wrought iron etc., for 1,00,000 from Amazon for manufacturing wooden chairs, sofa sets, dining tables, beds etc., then wood, fibreglass, moulded plastic, wrought iron would be considered as inventory.

Meaning of Current Asset

Current asset refers to all the assets of an organization that are expected to be used, consumed or easily sold through business operations within one accounting period (within a year). In simple terms, current assets represent all the assets that can be encashed with one accounting period. Current assets are also known as short-term assets.

For example – ABC and Co. purchases office tools and furniture from E bay on credit for 30 days then it will be considered as a bill receivable in the books of E bay. Hence bills receivable is treated as a current asset.

Inventory is a current asset

Inventory is treated as a current asset because the organization intends to sell them within one accounting period or 12 months from the date it is recorded in the balance sheet. All the current assets including inventory have high liquidity and convertibility.

Inventory is a primary source of revenue, especially for wholesale and retail businesses. More than 50% of the working capital revenue is generated from inventory within a year. Therefore, it is recorded under the head – Current Asset.

In terms of liquidity and convertibility inventory is placed somewhere in the middle of the scale of current assets. It is highly liquid as compared to the non-current asset (say land & building, plant & machinery).

Placement in the Balance Sheet

>Related Long Quiz for Practice Quiz 20 – Current Assets

>Related Long Quiz for Practice Quiz 21 – Inventory

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Provision for Discount on Debtors

The entity in order to encourage its customers to make a prompt payment allows a discount to its customers purchasing goods on credit. Thus, when the sales are made in the current reporting period on a credit basis the then the discount needs to be allowed in the next reporting period if such customer makes the payment promptly.

The discount allowed reduces the revenue of an entity and hence, it can be said that provision for a discount is an expected loss for an organization and so it needs to be given effect in the current accounting period.

Calculation of Provision for Discount on Debtors

This can also be explained with the help of an example.

Illustrative Example

Calculate Debtors Balance to be shown in the Balance Sheet

• An Entity has debtors worth 50,000
• Bad debts throughout the year worth an amount of 4000
• It has created a reserve for bad and doubtful debts at the end of the year worth 1000
• The provision for discount on debtors is estimated to be 10%.

Solution:

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Meaning of days sales outstanding

Days sales outstanding (DSO) refers to the average number of days the receivables from credit sales remain outstanding in the books of accounts before they are converted to cash.

A high DSO portrays that the time interval between credit sales and cash receivables is very long and might lead to problems in the cash flow of the company while on the other hand, a low DSO shows that the company is able to collect the amount in fewer days.

It is important to note here that the formula for DSO is applicable only in relation to the credit sales of the company.

The formula to calculate days sales outstanding is as follows;

DSO can be calculated on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis depending on the terms of the company.

Example

XYZ Ltd. made credit sales amounting to 7,00,000 in October, out of which 4,00,000 are yet to be received. As there are 31 days in October, the DSO for XYZ Ltd. shall be calculated as follows:

DSO = Accounts receivables/ Total credit sales x No. of days

= 4,00,000/7,00,000 x 31

= 17.7 days

In my opinion, 17.7 days is a low average turnaround for a company to collect cash from accounts receivables in a month and hence portrays a good DSO however, it varies from company to company what they consider to be a high or low DSO.

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Short-Term Liabilities

Meaning

The term short-term liabilities refers to the short-term financial obligations of companies, firms or enterprises to make the payments to these loans within one accounting period(i.e., within a year). These loans are generally taken to meet day to day working capital requirements of an organization such as the purchase of raw materials. Short-term liabilities are also known as current liabilities.

Exclusive List of Items

1. Bills payable/Trade payable
2. Sundry creditors
3. Accrued liabilities
4. Term debt
5. Advances and deposits received
6. Short-term obligations
7. Unearned revenue
8. Salaries and wages payables
9. Sales tax payable
10. Bank loan
11. Outstanding expenses
12. Merchandise accounts payable
13. Deferred revenue
14. Commercial paper
15. Credit-card debt
16. Bank overdraft
17. Dividends payable
18. Customer deposits
19. Current portion of long-term debt
20. Short-term provisions and reserves
21. Accrued payroll
22. Notes payable to banks
23. Short-term loans and advances
24. Rent payable
25. Other short-term debts

Long-Term Liabilities

Meaning

The term long-term liabilities refers to the long-term financial obligations of the firms, companies or enterprise which remains due for more than one accounting period. Generally, such loans are either taken to acquire fixed assets or to make payment to a long-term debt such as payments to debenture holders. Long-term liabilities are also known as long-term debt or non-current liabilities.

Exclusive List of Items

1. Long-term borrowings/debts
2. Specific loans for purchasing fixed assets
3. Deferred tax liabilities
4. Derivative liabilities
5. Pension obligations
6. Capital leasing
7. Car payments
8. Convertible debt
9. Long-term provisions and contingencies
10. Bonds payable
11. Pension liabilities
12. Debentures
13. Mortgages payable
14. Public deposits
15. Long-term warrants
16. Long-term notes payable
17. Loans from shareholders
18. Lease contracts
19. Post-retirement benefits reserve
20. Deferred long-term liability charges
21. Deferred compensation
22. Other non-current liabilities

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Yes.

Let’s take a set of transactions and prepare all the requisite information asked.

Following are the transactions for the period April 20×1 to March 20×2 in the books of Michael Traders

You are required to;
(i) Journalize the above transactions and post them in Ledgers and prepare a Trial Balance.

(ii) Prepare Trading A/c, Profit & Loss A/c and Balance Sheet taking into consideration:

1. Closing Stock as of 31st March 20×2 is 200,000.
2. Salary outstanding for the month of March 20×2 is 30,000.
3. Depreciation@10% to be charged on Furniture & Fixtures and @15% on Plant & Machinery.

1. Journal Entries

2. Ledgers

3. Trial Balance

4. Trading A/c & Profit and Loss A/c

5. Balance Sheet

An Excel sheet of the entire transactions along with the requisite information asked has been attached for your reference.

30-transactions-of-Journal-Ledger-Trial-Balance-Financial-Statements

>Read Try our Accounting Quiz on the Topic “Accounting Cycle”

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Every entity deposits its idle cash in its bank account. Depositing cash in the bank account will fetch interest to the entity and also ensure the safety of the money. Cash deposit in the bank is one of the most recurring transactions in every entity’s day-to-day business activity. So, it is important to know the journal entry for the same.

Journal Entry for Cash Deposit in Bank

I will present the journal entry using both the golden rule and the modern rule of accounting.

1. According to the “Golden rules” of accounting

(Being cash deposited in the bank)

2. According to the “Modern rules” of accounting

(Being cash deposited in the bank)

Example

Sugar Ltd has idle cash of 500,000. The finance manager deposited the idle amount in the company’s Bank of America A/c.

Journal entry in the books of Sugar Ltd will be as follows;

(Being Cash deposited in Bank of America A/c)

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Cash Withdrawn from Bank for Office Use

The cash withdrawn from the bank for office use shall be recorded in the books as;

Journal Entry (Using modern rules of accounting)

Why is the cash account debited?

When we withdraw an amount from the bank we receive cash i.e the entity’s cash in hand balance increases. As per the modern rules of accounting, we debit the increase in an asset. And so in the above entry cash account is debited.

Why is the bank account credited?

When an amount is withdrawn from the bank the entity receives cash while the balance in his bank account reduces. Thus as per the modern rules of accounting, we credit the decrease in an asset.

The bank account of an entity is shown under the head of current assets and so it’s credited since the withdrawals lead to a reduction in the balance with the bank. Hence, in the above entry bank account is credited.

Journal Entry (Using golden rules of accounting)

Why is the cash account debited?

As per the golden rule of accounting, a cash account is classified as a real account. As per the rule for a real account, we debit what comes in and credit what goes out. Hence, when the cash is withdrawn for office use we receive cash hence, the cash account is debited.

Why is the bank account credited?

As per the golden rule of accounting, the bank account is classified as a personal account. As per the rule for a personal account, we debit the receiver and credit the giver. Here, the Bank balance reduces i.e bank is the giver hence, it’s credited.

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Commission Received refers to a percentage amount received by the company (or) an individual on the total sales incurred. It is an indirect income/revenue recorded on the credit side of the profit and loss account. The term “commission” is more likely used in the stock market which is paid to a broker on the sale of shares (or) securities.

Journal Entry for Commission Received

Nowadays many organization uses a bank account for every business transaction i.e., either to make or receive payment. The journal entry on the commission received can be recorded in two different approaches of accounting. They are,

1. Traditional Accounting Approach

(Being commission received)

2. Modern Accounting Approach

(Being Commission received)

Example

On 1st March, Anna Ltd. received a commission amounting to 70,000 through cheque. Journalise the following transaction.

(Being commission received through cheque)

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Outstanding Salary

Example- Company A Ltd pays their employees a monthly salary of 25,000. The company has a policy that it pays the previous month salary to its employees on the 10th of next month. Salary for March is due and is duly to be paid by the 10th of April as per the company policy. Journalise the following transaction for salary due and paid in the books of ABC and Co.

In the Books of ABC and Co.

(Being salary due for March)

(Being salary paid)

Accounting Treatment

Outstanding salary is added to the salary and shown on the debit side of profit and loss account. It is further shown under the head current liabilities in the balance sheet. Outstanding salary is also known as Salary due (or) Salary payable.

Modern Accounting Approach

We will record the same transaction by following the modern rules of accounting

In the Books of ABC and Co.

(Being salary due for March)

(Being salary paid)

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To begin with, three types of businesses can be commenced, i.e. sole proprietorship, partnership, and joint-stock company. As we all know, to start any business, a certain sum of money has to be invested by the owner that is known as the capital of the business in terms of accounting.

Journal entry for started business with cash

The Cash A/c is debited as it is an asset for the business, and the Capital A/c is credited as it is a liability for the business according to the business entity concept.

1. According to the golden rules of accounting:

(being business commenced with cash)

2. According to the modern rules of accounting:

(being business commenced with cash)

Example

Mr A commenced business with cash (capital) amounting to 1,00,000. The journal entry in the books of Mr A is as follows.

(being business commenced with cash)

In this modern business world, Banks performs various functions to an organization such as it accepts various deposits from the debtors, making payment to the creditors on the standing instructions of the company. Banks provide various agency and miscellaneous services to an organization.

The Journal entry for cash withdrawn from the bank is a contra entry. Cash can be taken from the bank for two uses either for personal use (or) business use. I am assuming that cash is withdrawn from the bank for business use.

Journal Entry for Cash Withdrawn from Bank

This journal entry can be recorded from two different accounting perspectives they are;

1. Traditional Accounting Perspective

(Being cash withdrawn from the bank)

2. Modern Accounting Perspective

(Being cash withdrawn from the bank)

Example

On 15th May, Anna Ltd withdraws 5,00,000 from their Bank account for business purposes. Journalise the following transaction.

(Being cash withdrawn from the bank)

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In the modern business world, sales are made on a credit as well as cash basis. Even though there’s a high risk of bad debts in selling goods on a credit basis, the companies prefer the same to develop customer loyalty and meet the cut-throat competition.

‘Sold goods on credit’ is nothing but the sale of goods on a credit basis i.e. providing goods to the customer with an expectation of receiving the payment in the future. This amount owed by the debtor leads to an increase in the accounts receivables of the company and is a current asset.

Journal entry for sold goods on credit

The respective debtor account is debited while the sales account is credited.

1. According to the golden rules of accounting:

(being goods sold on credit)

2. According to the modern rules of accounting:

(being goods sold on credit)

Example

XYZ Ltd. sold goods amounting to 50,000 to Mr A on credit. The journal entry in the books of XYZ Ltd. is as follows:

(being goods sold on credit)

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Trial Balance

Are you facing difficulty in understanding the crux of the trial balance? I would like to help you by providing the meaning followed by items to be included on either side of the trial balance.

Meaning

The term trial balance refers to the total of all the general ledger balances. It is a statement prepared at a certain period to check the arithmetic accuracy of the accounts (i.e., whether they are mathematically correct and balanced). It contains a list of all the general ledger accounts.

Trading account, Profit and Loss account and Balance Sheet are prepared according to the ledger balances as posted in the trial balance.

Now it’s time to learn about the various items which are placed on either side of the trial balance.

Items that appear on the debit side of the trial balance

Generally, assets and expenses have a positive balance so they are placed on the debit side of the trial balance. An asset and expense increases when it is debited and vice versa

Exclusive List of Items

1. Land and Buildings
2. Plant and Machinery
3. Furniture and Fixtures
4. Office Tools and Equipment
5. Cash at Bank
6. Cash in Hand
7. Motor Van
8. Loss from the sale of fixed assets
9. Travelling charges
10. Printing and postage expenses
11. Legal expenses
12. Selling and distribution expenses
13. Sundry debtors
14. Bills receivables
15. Commission paid
16. Rent paid
17. Interest paid
18. Discount allowed
19. Opening stock
20. Purchases
21. Prepaid expenses
22. Advertisement expenses
23. Bad Debts
24. Wages and salaries
25. Bank charges

Items that appear on the credit side of the trial balance

Generally capital, revenue and liabilities have credit balance so they are placed on the credit side of the trial balance. The capital, revenue and liability increase when it is credited and vice versa.

Exclusive List of Items

1. Sundry Creditors
2. Bank Overdraft/Loan
3. Bills Payables
4. Sales (Revenue)
5. Purchase Returns
6. Common stock
7. Un-earned revenues
8. Retained earnings
9. Rent Received
10. Interest Received
11. Discount from Creditors
12. Discount on Purchases
13. Dividend Received
14. Interest on Drawings
15. Bad Debts recovered
16. Provision on Bad Debts (Cr.)
17. Apprentice premium
18. Miscellaneous/Sundry income
19. Commission received
20. Bank interest received
21. Compensation received
22. Outstanding income
23. Income from investments
24. Bonds payable
25. Other incomes

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It is believed that every organization requires goods for running its business. Goods can be purchased in two different ways i.e. on cash and credit. Most of the companies prefer credit purchase of goods over cash. I would like to explain to you the meaning of credit purchases followed by a journal entry and a simple practical example.

Purchased Goods on Credit

In simple terms, when an organization (or) customer purchases the goods from the seller (or) supplier and agrees to pay the consideration (value or price) of the goods on some future date then it is called credit purchases. Whenever credit purchase takes place accounts payable account/sundry creditor is created.

Accounts payable increases when the organization keeps on purchasing goods on credit. It is considered as a short-term debt that an organization owes to another organization during the ordinary (or) normal course of business.

Journal Entry for goods purchased on credit

• Modern Accounting Approach

• Traditional Accounting Approach

Practical Example

On 1st June, Alex Co. purchases goods from Max Co. for 2,00,000 on a credit period of 30 days. Pass Journal entry for credit purchases in the books of Alex Co.

                                                            In the Books of Alex Co.

1. When Credit Purchase of goods takes place;

(Being goods purchased from Max Co. on credit)

2. When consideration (value or price) of the goods is being duly paid;

(Being consideration paid for the goods purchased on credit)

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There are various operating and Non-operating expenses incurred by an organization in its ordinary course of business such as Salaries, Legal expenses, Electricity charges etc. Therefore, it is the primary responsibility of an accountant to record all these expenses in the books of accounts for deriving genuine net profit at the end of the accounting year.

Journal Entry for Electricity Bill paid

1. Traditional Accounting Approach

(Being Electricity Bill paid)

2. Modern Accounting Approach

(Being paid electricity bill)

Example

On 12th March, Alex Ltd. paid an electricity bill amounting to 8,000 through cheque. Journalise the following transaction in the books of Alex Ltd.

In the Books of Alex Ltd.

(Being paid electricity bill through cheque)

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Salary paid in advance

The term salary paid in advance is also known as prepaid salary. salary paid in advance is initially recorded as an asset because it provides some future economic benefit and is charged at the time when the actual benefit is realized in the succeeding accounting period.

The amount of Prepaid salary is deducted from salary and shown on the debit side of the profit and loss account. It is further shown under the head current asset in the balance sheet. Hence prepaid salary (or) salary paid in advance is treated as adjustment entry.

Example- On 1st March, Company A Ltd paid 4 months prepaid salary amounting to 40,000 (10,000*4) to the employees of the company. Evaluate the treatment of the amount paid as prepaid salary by the company to the employees. Journalise the following transaction by recording payment and adjustment entry.

• Traditional Accounting Approach

                                  Journal Entry in the books of Company A 

(Being the payment for prepaid salary made)

(Being the amount of prepaid salary adjusted to salary)

• Modern Accounting Approach-

We will record the same transaction by following the modern rules of accounting (widely recognized and followed all over the world).
                                       Journal Entry in the books of Company A

(Being the payment for prepaid salary made)

(Being the amount of prepaid salary adjusted to salary)

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A customer can purchase on two grounds: cash or credit. In the case of a cash purchase, the payment is made immediately by the customer however, in the case of a credit purchase, the payment is expected to be made in the future as per the agreement.

Journal entry for purchase of machinery on credit basis

(being machinery purchased on credit)

Journal entry for purchase of machinery for cash

(being machinery purchased for cash)

Example

1. Mr K purchased machinery from ABC Ltd. amounting to 20,000 on credit. The journal entry in the books of Mr K is as follows:

(being machinery purchased on credit)

2. Mr A purchased machinery from XYZ Ltd. amounting to 20,000 on a cash basis. The journal entry in the books of Mr A is as follows:

(being machinery purchased for cash)

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Meaning of Unbilled Revenue

Unbilled Revenue refers to the revenue earned by an entity by rendering the goods or services in the current period ie. sale has been recognized but the entity has not yet issued the corresponding invoices to the customer.

Unbilled Revenue arises in situations where
a. Issue of the invoice is delayed, or
b. Invoice is issued only after the entire project/contract is completed.

Unbilled Revenue is presented as a “current asset” in the balance sheet.

Journal Entry for Unbilled Revenue

1. Entry for recording the revenue as per the accrual method

We have debited Unbilled Revenue A/c because it is an asset for the supplier entity as the invoice will definitely be raised in the near future for the goods or services already rendered and the corresponding consideration is still receivable from the customer.

We have credited the Revenue (Sales) A/c because the goods or services have been rendered by the entity. Therefore, as per the accrual method, it is recognized as revenue/sales by the seller entity in the current period itself.

2. Entry when the invoice has been issued to the customer

Unbilled Revenue is converted to Accounts Receivable once the invoice is issued.

Examples of Unbilled Revenue

Example 1 – Issue of the invoice is delayed

Software Ltd completed a software development & installation project worth 150,000 for ABC Ltd on 10^th March 20×1. But it did not immediately issue an invoice. It issued the invoice on 05^th April 20×1.

Following journal entries will be passed in the books of Software Ltd;

1. Entry for recording the revenue on completion of the project on 10/03/20×1

2. Entry at the time of issue of invoice on 05/04/20×1

Example 2 – Invoice is issued only after the entire project/ contract is completed

R&D Ltd entered into a contract for carrying out research & development activities for Chemical Ltd. They agreed upon a contract price of 10 million which will be entirely invoiced at the end of the project. Out of 10 million, 3 million is related to the research phase and 7 million are for the development phase.

Research activities were completed in January 20×1 and development activities in the month of March 20×1. The invoice was raised in the month of April 20×1 for the entire project.

Following journal entries will be passed in the books of R&D Ltd.

1. Entry on completion of research phase in January 20×1 because it has completed its research obligation under the contract

2. Entry on completion of the development phase in March 20×1 because it has completed its development obligation under the contract

3. Entry at the time of issuance of invoice to Chemical Ltd and for recording receivable in the books in April 20×1

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A company incurs several expenses arising from its operating activities. For example, rent, rates, taxes, telephone bills, electricity bills, etc. It is important to record the same in the books of accounts to ascertain the true financial position of a company.

Journal entry for paid telephone bill

The telephone charges a/c is debited and the respective cash or bank a/c is credited.

1. According to the golden rules of accounting:

(being telephone bill paid)

2. According to the modern rules of accounting:

(being telephone bill paid)

Example

ABC Ltd. paid the telephone bill amounting to 10,000. The journal entry in the books of ABC Ltd is as follows:

(being telephone bill paid)

Overview of Interest received from Bank

When a business has excess funds, it invests these funds by depositing them in the bank rather than keeping the money idle because banks provide interest on the money deposited. When the business deposits its funds in the bank they receive interest as a percentage of the amount deposited.

The interest earned by the business from the bank is an indirect income and is credited to the Profit and Loss account or Income Statement. According to the accrual concept of accounting, the accrued interest is added to the Interest received from bank A/c and recorded on the asset side of the balance sheet.

Journal entry as per Modern Rules of Accounting

Interest is an income for the organization and the interest received from the bank is an increase in income. Thus, it is credited to the financial books according to the modern rules of accounting.

The bank balance is a current asset. When the interest income is received, it increases the bank balance thus, an increase in assets is debited according to the modern rules of accounting.

The journal entry for recording interest received from the bank is provided below: (Rule Applied: Debit the increase in Asset and Credit the increase in Income)

Example

Ms. Jane invested 50,000 in fixed deposits at her bank for 1 year. If the prevailing interest rate for fixed deposits is 7% per annum, Ms. Jane received 3,500 as interest at the end of the year. Therefore, ‘Interest Received A/c’ is credited (income) and ‘Bank A/c’ is debited (receiver). The journal entry for the same is given below.

Journal of Mr. Alex

(Being interest @ 7% p.a received from the bank at the end of the year.)

Journal entry as per Golden Rules of Accounting

Interest received from a bank is classified as a “nominal account”. A nominal account represents any accounting event that involves expenses, losses, revenues, or gains. It is what you would call a profit and loss or an income statement account. As per the golden rule of accounting for a nominal account, interest received from the bank is an income and is credited to the books of accounts.

A bank Account is classified as a “personal account” and as per the golden rule of accounting for personal accounts “we debit the receiver and credit the giver.” Hence, we debit the bank account.

The journal entry for recording interest received from the bank is provided below: (Rule Applied: Debit the Receiver and Credit all incomes and gains)

Example

Mr. Alex has a savings account with ABC Bank. The passbook showed a balance of 100,000 at the end of the month. The bank offers interest at the rate of 6% per annum on such a balance. Therefore, ‘Interest Received A/c’ is credited (income) and ‘Bank A/c’ is debited (receiver). The journal entry for the same is given below.

Journal of Mr. Alex

(Being interest @ 6% p.a received from the bank for a month.)

Interest Received from Bank in Trial Balance

Interest received from the bank shows a credit balance. A trial balance example showing a credit balance for the same is provided below.

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Salary is an indirect expense incurred by every organization as consideration for the efforts undertaken by the employees of the organization. It is one of the most recurring transactions because it is paid monthly. It is usually paid by cheque or through net banking.

Journal entry for paid salary by cheque

I will present the journal entry using both the golden rule and the modern rule of accounting.

1. According to the “Golden rules” of accounting

(Being salary paid by cheque)

2. According to the “Modern rules” of accounting

(Being salary paid by cheque)

Example

Samsung Inc. paid a salary amounting to 250,000 to its employees by cheque for the month of March 20xx on 31/03/20yy.

Journal entry in the books of Samsung Inc. on 31/03/20yy will be as follows-

(Being salary paid by cheque for the month of March 20yy)

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Salary due is the amount of salary payable for a particular period but the related services corresponding to the amount of salary payable have already been availed by the business entity. It is also known as salary outstanding. It is a liability for the business entity.

Journal Entry for Salary Due

Journal entry for salary due/payable can be recorded in the books of accounts using both the golden rule and the modern rule of accounting.

1. According to the “Golden rules” of accounting

a. Entry for salary due

(Being salary due)

b. Entry at the time of actual payment of the salary due

(Being salary paid)

2. According to the “Modern rules” of accounting

a. Entry for salary due

(Being salary due)

b. Entry at the time of actual payment of the salary due

Example

ABC Ltd did not pay a salary of 100,000 for the month of March 20xx due on 31^st March 20yy because of lack of funds. However, they paid the due salary on 25/04/20yy.

1. Journal entry for salary due on 31/03/20yy

(Being salary due for the month of March 20yy)

2. Journal entry at the time of payment on 25/04/20yy

(Being salary paid for the month of March 20yy)

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Need and Importance of Final Accounts

Final accounts are considered as one of the essential elements of the organization. It is prepared at the final stage of the accounting process. I would like to break the explanation into two segments. The first segment would be why do we need final accounts and the second would be their importance.

Why do we need a final account?

The main need for preparing the final account is to keep a track of all the business activities of an organization by the end of every accounting period. Every organization is required to record financial transactions, prepare financial reports, analytics and information.

Final accounts data is considered as extremely crucial information for the organization and administration for making informed judgments. Final accounts are needed by various users of the financial statements such as shareholders, lenders, creditors, suppliers, customers and government.

Importance of Final Accounts

1. Final accounts assist the shareholders to evaluate their investments which help them to make accurate decisions. Shareholders are more interested to know the liquidity position of the organization and the amount of profit and dividends earned by them.

2. Final accounts are essential for the tax department to make sure that the organization makes the payment of various taxes and additional duties on time without any delay. Therefore preparation of final accounts (Income statement) is very important for computing tax.

3. Final accounts provide important facts and figures regarding performance, liquidity, progress and deposition of an enterprise. This helps the internal management to make quick, informed and accurate future decisions on the various aspects of the organization.

4. Final accounts allow lenders and creditors to have a look at the financial health and soundness of the organization. Creditors use the following information to assess the risk, credibility and its ability to repay the debt on the agreed date.

5. Final accounts help the employees to know about the company’s profitability and its adverse effects on job security, remuneration, transfers, salary hikes, incentives and various other bonuses.

6. Final accounts play an important role in helping the organization to achieve steady growth and development by deploying various techniques and strategies for improving revenue, developing a strong customer base and providing more employment opportunities.

Purpose of Final Accounts

The following are the main purpose of preparing final accounts-

1. Final accounts are prepared to determine the net profit or net loss incurred by the organization within one accounting period.

2. Gross Profit and Net Profit of the current accounting period are compared with the previous years’ profit. This helps in determining the progress of the business. This information further helps in framing future decisions and policies for the organization.

3. Final accounts facilitate the preparation of trading accounts and profit & loss accounts which provides details regarding all the expenses and incomes (direct or indirect) of an organization. This helps the organization in applying various tactics for reducing expenses and strengthening incomes.

4. Final accounts serve as a purpose and facilitate the preparation of financial ratios by using trading and profit & loss accounts information. For example- Gross Profit Ratio, Net Profit Ratio, Operating Ratio etc.,

5. Final accounts are prepared to ascertain the financial and liquidity position of an organization on a certain date by providing and reflecting the exact value of assets and liabilities. The current values shown under the various heads of the balance sheet is used for comparing it with the previous years’ figures to evaluate changes in the financial position.

6. Final accounts are prepared with an objective to determine the solvency position of the business. It states that businesses must have the ability to meet short-term solvency by calculating the Current Ratio and Liquidity Ratio. Similarly, long-term solvency can be achieved by computing the Debt-equity Ratio and the Proprietary Ratio.

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Purchase Returns

Type of Account

Purchase returns is a nominal account. Generally, purchase returns show zero or unfavorable balance (Credit balance). It can also be termed as a contra-expense account as purchase returns reduce our purchase expenses.

Accounting approaches

• Traditional accounting approach

• Modern accounting approach

Example  

ABC and Co. purchase goods from Max and Co. for 1,00,000 on credit. ABC and Co. later return the goods to Max and Co. due to a serious defect. Pass journal entry for the above transaction.

The initial purchase entry will be recorded as follows;

(Being goods purchased on credit)

On the return of the refrigerator, the following entry will be passed-

(Being goods returned due to serious defects)

Sales Returns

Type of Account

Sales returns is a nominal account. Generally, sales returns show zero or favourable balance (Debit balance). It can also be termed as a contra-revenue account as sales returns reduce our sales revenue.

Accounting approach

• Traditional accounting approach

• Modern accounting approach

Example  

XYZ and Co. sold goods to Alexa and Co. for 5,00,000 on credit. Alexa and Co. later return the goods to XYZ and Co. due to serious issues. Pass journal entry for the above transaction.

The initial sale entry will be recorded as follows

(Being goods sold on credit)

On the return of the air-conditioner, the following entry will be passed

(Being goods returned due to serious issues)

Why are purchase and sales return nominal and not personal?

The logic behind it is that the ledger balances of nominal accounts get settled and closed at the end of every accounting period (within 12 months) by transferring them to trading and profit and loss account whereas ledger balances of personal and real accounts are carried forward to the next accounting years.

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In this growing competitive world, every organization needs to retain its loyal and trustworthy staff members and make a timely payment towards wages and salaries to its workers and employees. Timely payment not only motivates and built the confidence of the workers and employees but also encourages them to achieve the organization’s short-term and long-term goals.

Journal Entry for wages paid in cash

This entry can be recorded in the books of accounts by using two different approaches of accounting. They are;

1. Traditional Accounting Approach

(Being paid wages in cash)

2. Modern Accounting Approach

(Being wages paid in cash)

Example

On 4th March, Anna Ltd. makes a payment towards wages amounting to 40,000 in cash. Journalise the following transaction in the books of Anna Ltd.

In the Books of Anna Ltd.

(Being wages paid in cash)