Accounting Process
Accounting Process
Accounting ProcesS
INTRODUCTION
means the sequence
Accounting Process- Accounting process or Accounting cycle business transactio.
accounting procedures used to record, classify and summarise the
1. JOURNAL:
According to Professor Carter, the journal as originally used, is a book of prime enb
or waste bogi
in which transactions are copied in order of date froma memorandm
to facilits
The entries as they are copied are classified into debits and credits, so as
their being correctly posted afterwards in the ledger.
Therefore, Journal is the first stage of book keeping. Under this stage, transactions a:
recorded in a chronological order of dates after knowing the debit and credit account
transactions with explanation.
Journal Entry. A journal entry is the recording of a business transaction in the journa
A journal entry shows all the effects of a business transaction as expressed ìn debits
and credit(s) and may include an explanation of the transaction. A transaction is entere
in a journal before it is entered in ledger accounts. Because each transaction is initial1
recorded in a journal rather than directly in the ledger, a journal is called a book d
a
original entry. t
Features of Journal Entry. The Chief features of journal may be stated as under:
() Journal is a book in which the transactions are recorded first of all, as and whe
they take place.
(i) Journal is only a book of primary (Original) entry.
(iii) A Journal is a daily accounting record.
(iv) It records both debit and Credit aspeets of a transaction.
(o) Each entry in the journal is followed by Narration.
(vi) It may be asingle journal entry or compound journaB erntry. C
t all transactions are correctly recorded in the ledger and the balances are correctly
ascertained, the total of the 'Debit Column' and 'Credit Column' will be same. In this case,
the. trial balance is said to agree.
Objectives of Preparing Trial Balance. The main objectives of preparing atrial balances
are as follows:
a To cheque the arithmetical accuracy of the books of accounts.
( To help in detecting the errors.
To facilitate the preparation of financial statements i.e, Trading and Profit &Loss
Account and Balance Sheet.
Q. 8. Explain the limitations of trial balance.
Or, Explain the errors which are not disclosed by trial balances.
Ans. It is true that the agreemert of trial balance is notaconclusive proofof the accuracy
of the books of accounts since certain types of errors are not disclosed by the trial balance.
The following types of errors are not disclosed by the trial balance:
(i) Errors of principle, i.e., errors which arise due to incorrect application of the
principles of accournting.
(ii) Compensating errors, i.e., group of errors which are committed in such a way
that one mistake is compensated by the other or others and the trial balance still
agrees.
(ii Errors of complete omission, i.e., an entry has not at all been posted in the ledger.
ioi Posting correct amount and on the correct side but in the wrong account.
(e) Recording wrong amount in the book_ of original entry ie., journal.
the books of accounts.
(vi) Recording both aspects of a transction twice in balance
which are.disclosedaby trial
Q.9. Mention the errors
trial balances:
Ans. Following errors are disclosed by
AWrong balancing of an account.
wrong side.
Ail) Posting an account on the books.
(uWrong totalling ofthe subsidiary
(iv) Wrong posting.e, recording the wrong amount.
o) Omitting to post an amount from asubsidiary
( Omitting to post the totals of subsidiary books into ledger.
Omnitting to enter the cash book balance inthe trial balance.
recordthe balance of an account in the trial balance.
(ie Omittingtobalance in the wrong column of the trial balance.
(i Entering a
Totallingthe trial balance wrongly.
f a short note on Suspense Account.
Q. 10. Write
Ans. Asuspense account is an account in which the amountof difference in trial balance
Puttillsuch time that errors are located and rectified. If the debit side of trial balance
T-14 Shiv Das DELHI UNIVERSITY SERIES
is more than the credit side, then the difference is put on the credit side of the suspense
account. If the credit side of trial balance is more than the debit side then the difference
is put on the debit side of the suspense account. Debit balance in the suspense
account
is shown on the assets side of the balance sheet, while the credit balance is
the liabilities side. After opening this account, one-sided errors are
shown on
rectified by passing
journal entay arough suspense account. Posting of these entries is made in
account when all the errors leading to disagreement of the trial balance are the suspense
rectified and
the suspense account-is autematically closed..
0. 11. What are final accounts? How are they prepared?
Ans. Final Accounts. After the preparation of a Trial. Balance the next
the preparation of Final Accounts also known as Financial Accounts. level of work is
The preparation of final accounts involves the following:
Preparation of aTrading Account;
2r Preparation of a Profit &Loss Account;
3. Preparation of a Balance Sheet.
1. Trading Account. Preparation of
of the preparation of final accounts. It Trading Account is the first stage in the process
is prepared to find out gross profit or gross
Gross Profit or Gross Loss is the difference between the 'Cost of loss.
If the sales are more than cost of goods sold, the goods sold' and 'Sales'
Profit. On the other hand, if the cost of goods sold isdifference
more than
between the two is Gross
is Gross Loss. Opening stock, Purchases, Direct the sales, the difference
Expenses
the Trading Account and items shown on the right side are entered.on the- debit side of
are entered on the credit side of the Trading Account. If thenamely, Sales- and elosing Stock
than that of the debit side, the difference is Gross Profit total of the credit side is more
of the Trading Account. If the total of the debit side is which is entered on the debit side
the difference is Gross Loss which is entered on the more than that of the credit side,
credit side of the Trading Account.
Gross. Profit or Gross Loss.will be transferredto Profit and Loss
2. Profit & Loss Account. Gross Profit or Account.
Gross Loss is taken to Profit & Loss-Account.
All the remaining expenses, and losses which h¡ve not
are shown on the debit side. Income and gains, otherbeen entered into Trading Account
credit side The difference between the two SIdes is eitherthanNetsales, will be shown on the
Profit or
takenr to the capital account of the proprietor. Net Profit s added to theNet Loss which is
Loss is deducted from the Capital. Capital and Net
3. Balance Sheet. Balance sheet may be defined as
'A statement which sets out the
assets and liabilities of a firm as at a certain date. It is true only on
later. All assets and liabilities are shown in the Balance Sheet. On the that date and not
shown the various_assete-end on the left hand side are shown the liabilities, right handside are
the firm. Balance Sheet is prepared to.ascertain the financial position of the and capital of
end of the financial year. business at the
Q. 12 What are the qualitative characteristics of accounting
information?
Ans. Qualitative characteristics of Accounting information. Accounting information
must p0ssess some qualitative characteristics. These are the attributes that make the
information provided in financial statement useful to users.
The four main qualitative characterisics are:
A. Reliability. Accounting informatigh must be reliable. It should be free from bias and
personal influenco OE jMdgement. However, it is not possible to record all transactions
in this manner. For example, an entry for the provision for doubtful debts, In this case,
a provision is made for debts that are considered doubtful for recovery båt the exact
amount of bad debts can never be determined in advance.
2. Relevance. Accounting information must be releyant to the user. Information 1s
relevant if it meets the needs of the user in decision making, For example, dividend paid by
Accounting Process T-15
a comparnyin the relevant information
previous year is
for the
and investorS. This aisreview
itprovides basis for forecasting dividends in
a future years also provides becauseof
the past performance of the company. Thus, the accountants must
and determine which study thà reeds of the
various users
decision makers.
information is relevant to the
existing and potential
11derstandability.It Accounting intormation must be presented is a manner for the
understand. is assumed that the users have a basic
eactions and they devote time and effort in analysing knowledge of business
the financial statements.
aever, the accountant has a basic responsibility to describe business
clearly and concisely. transactions
AComparability. Accounting information is more useful when it is comparable with
similar information for the same ernterprisein different periods; It is also useful when
similar information across different enterprises during the same period can be
compared.
Comparability is therefore a useful quality of accounting information. To achieve
comparability, consistency and disclosure of accounting policies are necessary.
0. 13. Distinguish between Capital Expenditure and Revenue Expenditure.
Ans. Capital Expenditure and Revenue Expenditure:
Capital expenditüre relates to the acquisition of fixed assets and revenue
expenditure relates to the acquisition of current assets.
(iDCapital expenditure is meant for enduring profit i.e., for more than one accounting
period. Revenue expenditure is meant for currernt accounting period only.
(tin Capital expernditure is of non-recurring nature while revenue expenditure is of
recurring nature,
oy Capital expenditure helps to increase the earning capacity of the business or
to reduce the operating cost. Revenue expenditure is incurred to maintain the
existing earning capacity of the business.
0) Capital expenditure is capitalised while revenue expenditure is transferred to the
Trading or Profit & Loss Account, In other words, capital expenditure is entered
into the Balance Sheet and revenue expenditure is entered into the Trading and
Profit & Loss Account.
( Capital expenditure is not matched againstcapitalzeceipts. Revenue expenditure
is matched against revenue receipts.
Pn) capitalexpenditure may be incurred before the commencemani of the business.
Revenue expenditure is incurred only after the commencement of business.
Q14. Write a short note on: Deferred Revenue Expenditure. How is if different from
Capital Expenditure?
Ans. Deferred Revenue Expenditure. Deferred revenue expenditure is revenue
expenditure by nature but it is not treated as revenue expenditure on the grounds
that its benefif is not fully exhausted inthe accounting period in which it is
The Guidance Note on "Terms used in Financial Statements', issued by the incurred. Instttute
of Chartered Accountants of India, ((CA), defines "deerred revenue
expenditure as those
expenditures for which payment has been made or aliability incurred but which is carried forward
on Deferred
the presumption that it will benefit over a subsequent period or periods."
revenue expenditure is tor the time being deferred from being charged against
revenue or to income. The unWritten oOT portion of the deterred revenue
shown on Hheassets side of the Balance Sheet under the head expenditure is
Tnles of deferred revenue "Miscellaneous Expenditure",
camnaion to launch a new product expenditure include cost of heavy advertisement
or to explore a new market, and research ant
development expenditure.
OWNrite a short note on Capital Receipts and Revenue Receipts.
T-16 Shiv Das DELHI UNIVERSITY SERIES
Ans. Capital Receipts. Receipts of anon-recurring-nature
purpose are known as capital receipts. They are shown in and meant for
some specific
the Balance
receipts are in the form of contribution from owner, loans
sand proceeds Sheet. Capital).
assets of the business. from sale of fixed
Revenue Receipts. Receipts that are obtained in the course of
normal
known as revenue receipts. Cash from sale of goods,
rent received, businesS activities are
are regafded as revenue receipts. They are shown in
Q. 16. Distinguish between Prepaid the Profit &,Loss
commission received etc,
Ans. Both prepaid expenses and deferred Expenses annd Account.
Deferred Revenue
these are different. The are of revenueExpenditure.
nature of benefit to be available from revenue expenditure
can be recisely estimated but that 1s not so in nature but the
advertising te launeh a new case of deferredbenefits
revenue
from prepaid expenses
the next three to five produetis
deferredexpenditure, the expenditure. Heavy
On the other- hand,years but we carnot say precisely howlong. bernefit from it will'be over
when an accounting yearinsurance
ends on
premium paid say for the year ending 30th
to the extent of premium 31 March,2022, will be an example of June, 2022,
2022. Moreover, deferred relating to three prepaid
months i.e., from 1st April, 2022 to 30th expense
revenue expenses
expenses are considered as current assets. are considered June,
Q. 17. What is
fictitious assets but prepaid
meant by Grouping and
these done? Marshalling connection with the Balance
Sheet of a business? How are in
Ans. Balance Sheet is
This given date is the date statement of the financial position of a
firm at a
of close of the financial
Assets side and the Liabilities side. It is year. Balance Sheet has twogivensides:
date.
the
done by Grouping and not an account but is only a
statement.
Marshalling of the various items in the Balance Sheet. The termis This
"Grouping" means putting together various items of the same or common nature
one heading. However
assets and liabilities are"Marshalling" means or refers to the order in which the under
_tated in the Balance Sheet. This may be done various
of the two methods: acording to either
() Liquidity order (ii) Permanence order
Under the liquidity order method, assets are
liquid assets (such as Cash, Bank) are shown arranged in the order of liquidity i.e., most
or listed first and the least liquid àsset is
shown in the last. Similarly liabilities are also arranged in
Under the permanence order of placement of items in the order of the urgency of payment.
almost reversed. Balarnce Sheet, this very order is
According to the liquidity order, the form of Balance Sheet would be like this:
Liabilities ) Assets
Bank Overdraft XXX Cash XXX
Bills Payable XX*
Bank XXX
Creditors XXX Bills Receivable XXX
Outstanding Expenses XXX
Debtors XXX*
Incomes Received in Advance XXX
Inventories XXX
Long-term Liabilities (e.g. Bank Loans) XXX
Prepaid Expenses (if any) XXX
Borrowings (e.g. Debentures etc.) XXX
Accrued Incomes XXX
Capital. XXX
Investments XXX
Buildings XXX
Furniture XXX
Land XXX
Dr. Dr. |
Dr. Dr. Dr.
of Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr.
Treatment Ac Alc
Entry
Adjustment Debts
Expenses Alc
Alc Drawings
Income Ac Doubtful
A/c Ac
Expenses
To
Ac To Outstanding
Alc
Trading
Stock
Closing Expenses Alc
lncome
Accrued Alc Debtors
Alc
Income
To Unearmed
Alc
Depreciation
Ac
Asset
To To on Alc
Capital
Alc
Capital for
Ac
Expenses Loan
Sundry LossProvision
Interest Alc
Alc
Loan
To Ac
Alc
Drawings Bad-Debts
Ac
Income on
To Prepaid on
Interest To Interest To &
To To Profit
expenses received)
advance) debts
Adjustment Expenses Debts
Outstanding
2. unexpired not (TakenBad
Someone)
from Doubtful
but Income
5. in
Unearned Capital Drawings
on
Interest
Stock
Closing
1. 4. earned received
Income
Accrued Loan (further)
or
Depreciation
6. for
on on
Prepaid (Income (Income Interest Interest
Additional Provision
3. 10. 11.
7. 8. 9.
T-18 Shiy Das
on
Debtors from DELHI
recovered
is UNIVERSITYonSERIESside
theside
assets
company
insurance
in Sheet
Balance
Treatment capital
on on the the
debtors
liabilities stock
on on
Deducted
from
side
assets
the
the
liabilities
side
from Debtors Creditors
the
shown
on closing
from
the
assets
side
the the
assets
side
recovered|Amount Deducted on Deducted side
liabilities
to side
assets
to to
Shown Added Added Added