Accounting PriciplesPDF
Accounting PriciplesPDF
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION TO ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS
Overview of Chapter 1
The future story highlights the importance of having good financial information and knowing
how to use it to make effective business decisions. Whatever your pursuits or occupation, the
need for financial information is inescapable. You cannot earn a living, spend money, buy on
credit, make an investment, or pay taxes without receiving, using, or dispensing financial
information. Good decision-making depends on good information.
The purpose of this chapter is to show you that accounting is the system used to provide useful
financial information. The core objectives and content of Chapter 1 are as follows.
1.0. Learning Objectives:
After completing this chapter the students should be able to:
- Understand the meaning of accounting
- Explain the main difference between bookkeeping and accounting
- Explain the nature and classification of business
- Identify the users and uses of accounting.
- Identify fields of accounting
- Understand the accounting profession
- Explain accounting standards and the measurement principles.
- Explain the monetary unit assumption and the economic entity assumption
- Analyze the effects of business transactions on the accounting equation.
- Understand about the four financial statements and how they are prepared.
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Communicating economic events to users also requires the accountant’s ability to analyze and
interpret the reported information. Analysis involves use of ratios, percentages, graphs, and
charts to highlight significant financial trends and relationships. Interpretation
involves explaining the uses, meaning, and limitations of reported data.
Dear students, at this point, the explanations about financial statements seem confusing and
complex. But by the end of this course, you’ll be able to easily understand, analyze, and
interpret them.
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1.2.2. Forms and Types of Business Organizations in Ethiopia
There are three forms of business organizations: single-proprietorships, partnerships, and
corporations as briefly explained below:
There are three different legal forms of business organization: those are
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Advantages:
Long life
Limited liability
Can raise huge amount of capital to finance business operation
Disadvantages:
Double taxation
Highly regulated by government
Difficulty of controlling management, because ownership and management is
divorced in corporation.
According to their type of activities or nature of operations, business organizations are also
classified in to three main types:
1. Service Rendering/giving Businesses: - are business organizations that are
predominantly engaged in rendering of services to customers for the purpose of
maximizing profit.
Examples: Hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, bars, transport and communication services,
professional firms like consultations by accountants, lawyers, engineers etc.
2. Merchandising businesses: - is profit seeking businesses, which are engaged in
purchasing and reselling of merchandises.
Examples:Super-markets, boutiques, garment and shoe shops, drug stores, stationary
shops, auto spare parts, importers, exporters etc.
3. Manufacturing businesses: - are business organizations that are primarily involved in
the conversion of raw materials and parts in to finished goods; and sale their finished
goods to merchandising enterprises and consumers. Sometimes, they sale goods to other
manufacturing firms, which utilize the goods as raw materials for production activities.
Examples: Cement factories, sugar factories, soap factories, textile factories, paper
factories, etc.
Accounting is often called “the language of business.” Because it communicatesso much of the
information that owners, managers, and investors need to evaluate a company’s financial
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performance. These people are all stakeholders in the business—they’re interested in its
activities because they are affected by the business. In fact, the purpose of accounting is to help
stakeholders make better business decisions by providing them with financial information.
Obviously, no one tries to run an organization or make investment decisions without having
accurate and timely financial information. It is the accountant who prepares this information.
More importantly, accountants make sure that stakeholders understand the meaning of financial
information, and they work with both individuals and organizations to help them use financial
information to deal with business problems.
Actually, collecting all the numbers is the easy part—today, all the accountant have to do is start
up your accounting software. The hard part is analyzing, interpreting, and communicating the
information. Now a day’s, accountants are required, to present everything clearly and
effectively in a way that has a predictive role to potential investors and decision makers from
every business discipline.
In any case, accounting is defined as the process of measuring and summarizing business
activities, interpreting financial information, and communicating the results to management
and other decision makers.
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- Preparing reports and statements
- Interpreting reported information and
- Reviewing records and reports for their accuracy.
Synopsis of Lecture
Accounting are identifying, recording, and communicating economic activities.
Bookkeeping refers to the art of recording.
Accounting refers to the art of recording, reporting, and interpreting economic events.
Accounting is a language of business.
A business is an organization which is engaged in rendering service or producing a
product for profit motive.
Businesses can be categorized on the bases of ownership and activity.
Based on ownership business are categorized into sole proprietorship, partnership and
corporation.
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Based on activity Businesses are categorized into service giving, Merchandising and
manufacturing.
A business is an organization which is engaged in rendering service or producing a
product for profit motive
Businesses can be categorized on the bases of ownership and activity.
Based on types of ownership business are categorized in to sole proprietorship,
partnership and corporation.
Accounting is a language of business.
Accounting are identifying, recording, and communicating economic activities.
Bookkeeping refers to the art of recording where as Accounting refers to the art of
recording, reporting, and interpreting economic events.
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Reading Text:
Accountants typically work in one of the two major fields, namelyManagement accountants
and financial accountants. These basic categories farther decomposed in to various fields
which are maintained under the title “the Accounting Profession” below.
Managerial Accounting
Managerial accounting plays a key role in helping managers carry out their responsibilities.
Because the information that it provides is intended for use by people who perform a wide
variety of jobs, the format for reporting information is flexible. Since the reports are intended to
internal users they are not obliged to follow a uniform set of accounting standards and are
tailored to the needs of individual managers. The purpose of such reports is to supply relevant,
accurate, timely information in a format that will aid managers in making decisions. In
preparing, analyzing, and communicating such information, accountants work with individuals
from all thefunctional areas of the organization—human resources, operations, marketing, and
finance.
Financial Accounting
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Why is accounting such a popular major and career choice? First, there are a lot of jobs. In recent
years, in our country Ethiopia, the demand for accountants highly increased because of the
increase in number of various businesses, the introduction of different tax laws like VAT, the
change in accounting standard- IFRS, the emergence of different multinational organization and
the related reporting requirements, etc.
Accounting is also hot because it is obvious that accounting matters. Interest in accounting has
increased, ironically, because of the attention caused by the turmoil over toxic (misstated) assets
at many financial institutions. These widely publicized scandals revealed the important role that
accounting plays in society. Most people want to make a difference, and an accounting career
provides many opportunities to contribute to society. Finally, recent internal control
requirements dramatically increased demand for professionals with accounting training.
Accountants are in such demand that it is not uncommon for accounting students to have
accepted a job offer a year before graduation. As the following discussion reveals, the job
options of people with accounting degrees are virtually unlimited.
Public Accounting
Individuals in public accounting offer expert service to the general public, in much the same
way that doctors serve patients and lawyers serve clients.
A major portion of public accounting involves auditing. In auditing, an independent
accountant, such as a chartered accountant (CA) or a certified public accountant (CPA),
examines company financial statements and provides an opinion as to how accurately the
financial statements present the company’s results and financial position. Analysts,
investors, and creditors rely heavily on these “audit opinions,” which CAs and CPAs
have the exclusive authority to issue.
Taxation is another major area of public accounting. The work that tax specialists
perform includes tax advice and planning, preparing tax returns, and representing
clients before governmental agencies.
A third area in public accounting is management consulting. It ranges from
installing basic accounting software or highly complex enterprise resource planning
systems, to providing support services for major marketing projects and merger and
acquisition activities.
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Many accountants are entrepreneurs. They form small- or medium-sized practices that frequently
specialize in tax or consulting services.
Private Accounting
Instead of working in public accounting, you might choose to be an employee of a for-profit
company such as Unity University or Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE).
In private (or managerial) accounting, you would be involved in activities such as cost
accounting (finding the cost of producing specific products), budgeting, accounting information
system design and support, and tax planning and preparation. You might also be a member of
your company’s internal audit team. In response to corporate failures, the internal auditors’ job
of reviewing the company’s operations to ensure compliance with company policies and to
increase efficiency has taken on increased importance.
Alternatively, many accountants work for not-for-profit organizations, such as the Mekodoniaya
Merja, International Red Cross or performing arts organizations.
Governmental Accounting
Another option is to pursue one of the many accounting opportunities in governmental agencies.
For example, tax authorities, law enforcement agencies, and corporate regulators all employ
accountants. There is also a very high demand for accounting educators at colleges and
universities and in governments.
Forensic Accounting
Forensic accounting uses accounting, auditing, and investigative skills to conduct investigations
into theft and fraud. It is listed among the top 20 career paths of the future. The job of forensic
accountants is to catch the perpetrators of theft and fraud occurring at companies. This includes
tracing money-laundering and identity-theft activities as well as tax evasion. Insurance
companies hire forensic accountants to detect insurance frauds such as arson, and law offices
employ forensic accountants to identify marital assets in divorces.
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company officers. Financial information show, for example, whether the company did or didn’t
make a profit, whether cash is adequate to make pay dividend, whether the company affords pay
raise to employee, etc. They also furnish other information that managers and owners can use in
order to take corrective action.
1.7.2. External Users
External users are individuals and organizations outside a company who are not directly
involved in running and organizing the business want financial information about the company
for their own purpose. External users include investors, creditors, government agencies and
others
Investors and Creditor
Investors and creditor are the two most common types of external users. Investors (owners) use
accounting information to make decisions to buy, hold, or sell ownership shares of a
company. Creditors such as bankers and suppliers use accounting information to evaluate the
risks of granting credit or lending money.
If you lend money to a friend to start a business, wouldn’t you want to know how the business
was doing? Investors and creditors furnish the money that a company needs to operate, and not
surprisingly, they feel the same way. Because they know that it’s impossible to make smart
investment and loan decisions without accurate reports on an organization’s financial health,
they study financial statements to assess a company’s performance and to make decisions about
continued investment.
Government Agencies
Businesses are required to furnish financial information to a number of government agencies like
taxing authorities and regulatory agencies. The authorities want to know whether the company
complies with tax laws. Regulatory agencies want to know whether the company is operating
within prescribed rules.
Other Users
A number of other external users have an interest in a company’s financial statements.
Customers are interested in whether a company will continue to honor product warranties and
support its product lines. Labor unions want to know whether the companies have the ability to
pay increased wages and benefits to union members.
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NB: In general the information needs of internal users are supplied by both Financial and
Managerial accounting. Whereas the information needs of external users are satisfied only
by financial accounting.
Synopsis of Lecture
Accounting generates information that brings a difference on the decision making of both
internal and external users.
Internal Users are individuals within an organization or business entity that need
accounting information of the business for the affairs of the business.
External Users are those individual or institutions inside or outside an economic entity
who/which need accounting information about that entity for their own affair.
In dealing with a business accounting plays an important role in displaying operating
results of businesses, in analyzing and rating financial conditions, and in predicting their
futurity.
Managerial accounting generates information for internal users where as financial
accounting generates information mainly for external users.
The four basic category of the accounting profession are, public accounting, private
accounting, governmental accounting and forensic accounting.
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Secession Learning Objectives:
Explain accounting principles and standards
Explain various assumptions and concepts of accounting
1.8. Accounting Principles and an Overview of International Financial Reporting
Standard
Accounting is often called the language of business through which a business house
communicates with the outside world. In order to make this language intelligible and commonly
understood by all, it is necessary that it should be based on certain uniform scientifically laid
down standards. These standards are termed as accounting principles.
Accounting principles have been defined as “the body of doctrines commonly associated with
the theory and procedure of accounting, serving as an explanation of current practices and as a
guide for the selection of conventions or procedures where alternatives exist”.
In short, accounting principles are guidelines to establish standards for sound accounting
practices and procedures in reporting the financial status and periodic performance of a business.
These principles can be classified into two categories (i) Accounting conventions; and (ii)
Accounting concepts (assumptions).
Accounting Conventions: The term ‘convention’ denotes custom or tradition or practice based
on general agreement between the accounting bodies which guide the accountant while preparing
the financial statements. It is a guide to the selection or application of a procedure.
Accounting concepts are defined as basic assumptions on the basis of which financial statements
of a business entity are prepared. They are used as a foundation for formulating various methods
and procedures for recording and presenting the business transactions. In this unit, we will
discuss some of these universally accepted principles: Business Entity concept, Monetary Unit
Assumption, Periodicity assumption, and the going concern assumption are covered under the
headings of basic assumptions and Measurement principles, Revenue recognition principle,
Expense recognition and full disclosures are discussed under the heading of basic principles.
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Basic Assumptions/Concepts are the following:
According to this concept, business is treated as an entity separate from its owners. It is treated to
have a distinct accounting entity which controls the resources of the concern and is accountable
thereof. Accounts are kept for a business entity as distinguished from the person(s) owning it. All
transactions of the business are recorded in the books of the business from the point of view of
the business.
Transactions are also recorded between the owner and the business, for instance, when capital is
provided by the owner, the accounting record will show the business as having received so much
money and as owing to the proprietor. This concept is based on the sense that proprietors entrust
resources to the management and the management is expected to use these resources to the best
advantage of the firm and to account for the resources placed at its disposal. Hence, in
accounting for every type of business organization, be it Sole-proprietorship or partnership or
Corporation, business is treated as a separate accounting entity.
The failure to recognize the business as a separate accounting entity would make it extremely
difficult to evaluate the performance of the business since the private transactions would get
mixed with business transaction. The overall effect of adopting this concept is:
Only the business transactions are recorded and reported and not the personal transactions
of the owners.
Income or profit is the property of the business unless distributed among the owners.
The personal assets of the owners or shareholders are not considered while recording and
reporting the assets of the business entity.
b. Monetary Unit Assumption (Money Measurement concept)
It states that all business activities (events) are recorded in terms of money (-Birr, Dollar, Pound
or any other currency). Money measurement concept holds that accounting is a measurement
and communication process of the activities of the firm that are measurable in monetary terms.
Thus, only such transactions and events which can be interpreted in terms of money are
recorded. Events which cannot be expressed in money terms do not find place in the books of
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account though they may be very important for the business. Non-monetary events like, death,
dispute, sentiments, efficiency etc. are not recorded in the books, even though these may have a
great effect. Accounting therefore, does not give a complete account of the happenings in a
business or an accurate picture of the conditions of the business. Thus, accountinginformation is
essentially in monetary terms and quantified. The system of accounting treats all units of money
as the same irrespective of their time dimension. This has created doubts about the utility of the
accounting data, leading to the introduction of inflation accounting.
Most accounting methods rely on the going concern assumption—that the company will have
a long life. Despite numerous business failures, most companies have a fairlyhigh continuance
rate. As a rule, we expect companies to last long enough to fulfill theirobjectives and
commitments.
d. Periodicity Assumption
To measure the results of a company’s activity accurately, we would need to wait until it
liquidates. Decision-makers, however, cannot wait that long for such information. Users need to
know a company’s performance and economic status on a timely basis so that they can evaluate
and compare companies, and take appropriate actions. Therefore, companies must report
information periodically. The periodicity (or time period) assumption implies that a company
can divide its economic activities into artificial time periods. These time periods vary, but the
most common are monthly, quarterly, and yearly
There are four basic principles of accountingto record and report transactions: (1)
measurement, (2) revenue recognition, (3) expense recognition, and (4) full disclosure. We
look at each in turn.
1. Measurement Principles
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The most commonly used measurements are based on historical cost and fair value. Selection of
which principle to follow generally reflects a trade-off between relevance and faithful
representation.
Historical Cost. IFRS requires that companies account for and report many assets and
liabilities on the basis of acquisition price. This is often referred to as the historical cost
principle. Cost has an important advantage over other valuations: It is generallythought
to be a faithful representation of the amount paid for a given item.
For example, assume that Alem Business Center purchased land for Br. 500,000, on
January 2016 and initially reports it in its accounting records at 500,000. But what does
the company do if, by the end of the year, the fair value of the land has increased to
650,000? Under the historical cost principle, it continues to report the land at 500,000. It
is a reliable report since it is supported by business document, but it is not relevant for
decision making since it does not represent the fact on the land i.e Br. 650,000.
Fair Value. Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or
paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the
measurement date.” Fair value is therefore a market-based measure (exit price).Recently,
IFRS has increasingly called for use of fair value measurements in the financial
statements. The IASB believes that fair value information is more relevant to users
than historical cost.
2. Revenue Recognition Principle
Revenue refers to increases in economic benefits during the accounting period in the form of
enhancements of assets or decreases of liabilities that result in increases in equity, other than
those relating to contributions from equity participants. When the company satisfies the
performance obligation, it should recognize revenue.
3. Expense Recognition Principle
Expenses refers to decreases in economic benefits during the accounting period in the form of
outflows or depletions of assets or incurrence of liabilities that result in decreases in equity, other
than those relating to distributions to equity participants. Expenses should be recognized in the
period in which they are incurred.
4. Full Disclosure Principle
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In deciding what information to report, companies follow the general practice of providing
information that is of sufficient importance to influence the judgment and decisions of an
informed user. Often referred to as the full disclosure principle, it recognizes that the nature and
amount of information included in financial reports reflects a series of judgmental trade-offs.
Definitions
The International Financial Reporting Standards, usually called the IFRS, are
standards issued by the IFRS foundation and the International Accounting Standards
Board (IASB) to provide a common global language for business affairs so that company
accounts are understandable and comparable across international boundaries.
IFRS are the rules to be followed by accountants to maintain books of accounts which are
comparable, understandable, reliable and relevant as per the users internal or external
IFRS are standards designed as a common global language for business affairs so that
company accounts are understandable and comparable across international boundaries
IFRS are the consequences of growing international shareholding and trade and are
particularly important for companies that have dealings with in several countries
Comparable,
Understandable
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Reliable and relevant as per the users (internal and external)
IFRS is a single set of high quality, understandable and enforceable global accounting
standards, which is a “Principle based” set of standards that are drafted logically and are
easy to understand and apply.
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are Designed for general purpose
financial reporting by profit-oriented entitiesthat might be found to be appropriate for not-for-
profit activities too
» Focused on information needs of (primary users) existing and potential investors,
lenders and other creditors who have no authority to require information from the
entity
» information to enable primary users to make their own assessments of the
reporting entity’s prospects for future net cash inflows
» as a basis for their decisions to buy, hold, sell equity and debt instruments or to
provide a loan or to require settlement of a loan
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reporting of financial and reporting entities and to regulate the accounting and auditing
profession of Ethiopia.
Accordingly AABE has required reporting entities in Ethiopia to fully comply with all the
requirements of IFRS applicable in their circumstances. For smoothing the process of
adoption, AABE has established the following three phase IFRS implementation road map
under its four year strategic plan running from the year 2016-2020.
Phase I: Significant Public Interest Entities (PIEs)-primarily financial institutions and federal
public enterprises –are required to adopt IFRS standards from calendar year 2017, with
reporting under IFRS starting in 2018.
Phase II: Other PIEs-including ECX members–and private companies that meet the PIE
thresholds criteria and IPSAS for Charities and Societies are required to report under IFRS
by the end of 2019.
If at least two of the following requirement is fulfilled the company satisfied PIE qualitative
thresholds and it falls into phase II category:
Phase III: Small and Medium-Sized Entities (SMEs) are required to follow IFRS for SMEs,
a simplified self-contained standard, by the end of 2020.
If at least two of the following requirement is fulfilled the company falls into phase III
category:
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1.9. The Basic Accounting Equations
Assets are the resources a business owns. If you noticed, in any organization you will find
property such as a building, land, and furniture etc., such properties owned by the business are
referred to as Assets. To acquire these assets, businesses may get money from two sources,
investment made by owners or the amounts borrowed from creditors. Therefore both owners and
creditors have a claim over the resources of the business. The claim or the right of owners is
referred to as equities, where as the claim of creditors’ referred to as liabilities. As a result we
can express the relationship of asset liability and equity as an equation as follows.
Assets
As noted above, assets are resources that a business controls and uses its assets in carrying out its
activities of production and sales. The common characteristic possessed by all assets is the
capacity to provide future services or benefits. Assets include cash, tables, chairs, cash
register, etc. the further classification of assets will be discussed in chapter two.
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Liabilities
Liabilities are claims against assets, those resulted from borrow money and purchase
merchandise on credit. Liabilities result in payables of various sorts. For instance a company
may purchase supplies on credit results Accounts Payable, Borrowing money from bank results
notes payable, having unsettled salary of employees results Salary Payable etc. the supplier, the
bank and the employees who owes money are a company are its creditor and have the first
claim against the assets before owners.
Equity
The ownership claim on a company’s total assets is equity. It is equal to total assets minus total
liabilities. Since the assets of a business are claimed by either creditors or shareholders and the
creditors have prior claim over the owners, equity is “left over” after creditors’ claims are
satisfied. Thus owner’s equity is often referred to as residual equity.
Equity of a sole propitiator and a partners business comes primarily from the investment made
by owners. Then this equity subsequently increased whenever there are revenuesgenerated from
sales of merchandise, performing services, renting property, and lending money etc.Withdrawals
made owners and payments for business expenses like salary, rent, electricity etc decreases
equity owners.
Equity = Owners’ investment + Revenue – (Expense + withdrawals)
Equity of a corporation business generally consists of share capital—ordinary and retained
earnings. Share capital is funds obtained by selling ordinary shares to investors. Whereas
retained earnings is obtained from the composition of three items i.e revenue, expanse and
dividends.
Equity = Share capital ordinary + Retained Earnings
Retained Earning = Revenue-(Expense + Dividend)
Therefore the equity of corporate business presents the equity obtained from owners investment
separately from the equity obtained from operating activity.
Revenue is The gross inflow of economic benefits during a period arising in the course of
ordinary activities when those inflows result in increases in equity, other than increases relating
to contributions from equity participants.For instance Unity University generates revenues by
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selling educational service where as Shewa Supermarket generates revenue by selling goods. In
general revenue is an income generated from sales of a product or a service.
Expenses are the cost of assets consumed or services used in the process of earning revenue. For
example Unity University incurred expenses while using office and classroom equipments and
paying salary to employees in the process render educational service. Expenses results a gross
decrease in equity that result from operating the business.
Dividend is the distribution of cash or other assets to shareholders. It is similar to owners’
withdrawal in the case of a proprietor and a partnership business. Dividend reduces retained
earnings.
In summary, the principal sources (increases) of equity are investments by shareholders and
revenues from business operations. In contrast, reductions (decreases) in equity result from
expenses and withdrawals or dividend.
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corresponding (1) decrease in another asset, (2) increase in a specific liability, or (3) increase in
equity.
Synopsis of lecture
A single set of high quality, understandable and enforceable global accounting standards,
called IFRS.
IFRS should be properly followed to enhance, comparability, understandability,
reliability and relevance of financial reports to users.
The two main assumptions of accounting are monetary unit assumption and
the economic entity assumption.
Fair Value principle dictates that an asset or liabilities should be reported at the current
price received to sell an asset or to settle a liability.
The three elements of the accounting equation are Assets, Liabilities and Owners equity.
Every business transaction as a dual effect on the elements of the accounting equation.
Wrap-up Discussion Question
Explain the difference between cost and fair value measurement principles.
Explain the term accounting equation.
The interrelation between Accounting equation and double entry book keeping system
Using the concept of accounting equation, compute the missed figure for the following
a. Asset =? , Liability = Br. 100,000, Equity = br.80,000
b. Asset = Br. 250,000, Liability = Br. 160,000, Equity=?
c. Asset = ? Liability + equity = Br. 450,000
d. at the end of the accounting period December 2016, Selam company has assets of
Br. 500,000 and liability of Br. 300,000. How much will be the amount of owners
equity on December 2017, assume that asset is increased by Br. 90,000 and
liability is decreased by Br. 50,000 during year 2010.
Next day’s Reading Assignment
Read about transaction analysis and financial statement of sole proprietor business.
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Secession 4 and 5 (Hr 7, 8, 9 and 10)
Topic: Business Transaction and Financial Statements
Session Learning Objective
Analyze the effects of business transactions on the accounting equation.
Understand the four financial statements and how they are prepared
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Equation Analysis:-
Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity
Observe that the equality of the basic equation has been maintained. Note also that the source of
the increase in equity (in this case, initial investment) is indicated, because investments made by
owner’s do not represent revenues ( we will see it later), and they are excluded in determining
net income.
NB:
What if Wt. Melkam has personal assets like house, personal bank account etc.,
obviously it is excluded from the analysis. This assumption goes in line with separate
Entity concept that will be discussed later.
TRANSACTION 2 - PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT FOR CASH: on August 2, Melkam
purchases computer and photocopy machine for Br. 20,000 cash. This transaction is resulted an
equal increase and decrease in total assets. So there is no change on the balance of total asset,
except the composition of assets.
Basic Analysis:-
The asset “Cash” is decreases by Br. 20,000, and asset “Equipment” increases by
Br.20,000.
Equation Analysis:-
Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity
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Observe also that total assets are Br.45, 000 and total Owner’s equity, is a Br.45,000. This means
that each transaction always leaves the basic accounting equation in balance.
NB:,
What if Melkam purchases washing machine for her personal use. It is not business
transaction and not to be included in the analysis.
Accounts Owners
Cash + Supplies + Equipment = Payable + Capital
Bal. 25,000 - 20,000 - 45,000
Tran3 +2,500 +2,500 ___ -
Bal Br. 33,500 2,500 20,000 2,500 45,000
Asset of the business increase as a result of the above transaction because more stationary and
cleaning supplies are available now for future consumption.
on the other hand the above purchase made on account (a credit purchase). All purchases made
on credit increase liabilities. As a result Melkam Internet Café’s liability increases by the amount
due from Hibir Trading.
Total assets are now Br. 47,500 i.e (33,500 + 2,500 + 20,000.) This total is matched by a Br.
2,500 creditor’s claim and a Br. 45,000 ownership claim.
NB:,
What if Melkam also purchases cleaning supplies on account for her personal use? It is
not to be considered in the analysis as it constitutes personal liability.
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TRANSACTION 4 - SERVICES PERFORMED FOR CASH: during the first month of
operation Melakm Internet Café received Br. 8,500 cash for internet and photocopy service
provided to customers. This transaction results in an equal increase in both assets and equity.
Basic Analysis:-
The asset “Cash” increases by Br. 8,500, and Equity identified as “owner’s capital”
increases by Br.8,500. This increase is resulted from sales of a service.
Equation Analysis:-
Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity
Accounts Owners
Cash + Supplies + Equipment = Payable + capital + Revenue
Bal. 25,000 2,500 20,000 2,500 45,000
Tran4 +8,500 +8,500
Bal Br. 33,500 2,500 20,000 2,500 45,000 8,500
As it is clearly shown in the above analysis, the receipts of cash increase the balance of asset as
the same time the balance of Owner’s Equity for the amount of revenue earned. But this
increase in equity is quite different from the one which was analyzed on transaction one above.
As a result, it is necessary to clearly specify the source of increase in equity as owner’s
investment or revenues generated from day to day operation.
NB : - Businesses might generate revenue from different operating activities they have engaged
in. Different titles are used for various sources of revenue. Revenue from providing services is
recorded as fees earned. Revenue from the sale of merchandise is recorded as sales. Other
examples of revenue include rent, which is recorded as rent revenue, and interest, which is
recorded as interest revenue
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Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity
Account Owner
Supplie Equipmen s s Revenu
Cash + s + t = Payable + capital + e
Bal Br. 33,500 2,500 20,000 2,500 45,000 8,500
Tran 5 -1,200 -1,200
Bal Br. 32,300 2,500 20,000 1,300 45,000 8,500
As you see from the above analysis, payment of liability reduces the cash balance of the
company. After the transaction the total amount that the company has to pay ( liability) is
reduced to Br. 1,300 i.e, (Br. 2500- 1,200)
After the above transaction the total asset on the left hand side of the accounting equation of Br.
54,800 is exactly equal with the sum of total liability and equity found on the right hand side of
the accounting equation.
NB:- Remember that the above transaction has no effect on supplies that were bought on
transaction 3.
TRANSACTION 6 - SERVICES PERFORMED FOR CASH AND CREDIT: on August 20,
Melkam performs Br. 6,000 photocopy service for customers. The company receives cash of Br.
2,000 from customers, and it bills the balance of Br. 4,000 on account. This transaction results in
an equal increase in assets and equity.
Basic Analysis:-
The asset “Cash” and “Account receivable” increases by Br. 2,000, and Br. 4,000
respectively. Whereas Owner’s equity on the right side the equation by br. 6,000.
Equation Analysis:-
Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity
As you see from the above transaction, Melkam recognizes Br. 6,000 in revenue when it
performs the services. Out of it Br. 2,000 is received in Cash and the remaining br. 4,000 is to be
receive after few days i.e Account Receivables. This Accounts Receivable represents customers’
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promise to pay Br. 4,000 to Melkam internet Café in the future. When it is received later,
Melkam will increase Cash and decrease Accounts Receivable (see Transaction 8).
Account
Account Owners
+Recei. +Reve
Cash +Supp. +Equip. = Payable +Capital -Expense
After the analysis of the above transaction, the two sides of the equation is still balance at
Br.54,050. Three lines are required in the analysis to list each expenseseparately.
NB;
Businesses by their side also consume service of other business and individuals in the
process of producing products and services to customers. For instance Melkam Internet
Café should hire employees, and consumes electric power to render internet service. This
consumption creates expenses. Unlike revenues, Expense decreases the balance of
owner’s equity.
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The asset “Cash” increases Br. 2,200, and the asset “Account Receivable” decreases Br.
2,200
Equation Analysis:-
Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity
NB:
Note that the collection of an account receivable for services previously billed and
recorded does not affect both revenue and equity. Melkam already recorded this revenue
(in Transaction 6) and should not record it again. On the other hand the above transaction
does not change the total asset, but it changes the composition of the asset.
TRANSACTION 9 – OWNER’S DRAWINGS: The Melkam Withdraws Br. 2,500 from the
business for her personal use. This transaction results in an equal decrease in assets and equity.
Basic Analysis:-
The asset Cash increases Br. 2,500, and owner’s equity decreases Br. 2,500
Equation Analysis:-
Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity
Account
+Recei. Account Owners +Reve - Owner’s
Tran. Cash +Supp. +Equip. = Payable +Capital Expense -Drawi
Bal.Br. 29,750 1,800 2,500 20,000 1,300 45,000 14,500 6,750
Tran 9 -2,500 -2,500
Bal.Br. 27,250 1,800 2,500 20,000 1,300 45,000 14,500 6,750 2,500
Look, the Owner’s drawing reduces equity but this reduction is totally different from the
reduction resulted because of expenses. The reason is expenses are the costs incurred or
resources consumed for the running of run the day to day business activity, where as drawing is
an amount of capital consumed for owner’s personal use or non business activity.
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NB: don’t confuse drawings with those personal transactions excluded from the transaction
analysis of the business. The essence here is not including the Melkam’s personal transaction in
to the analysis of the business transaction, but rather it is inclusion of the change in asset (cash)
and equity which accompanies her cash withdrawal in to the accounting equation.
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Tabular Summery of Transactions
Asset Liability Owner's Equity
Accoun
ts =Accoun +Owne - -
Tran. Cash Receiv +Suppli +Equi t rs +Revenu Expens Drawin
No. + able es pment Payable Capital e e g
1 Br.45,000 45,000 Initial Inv.
2 -20,000 20,000
3 2,500 2,500
4 +8,500 8,500 Serv. Rev.
5 -1,200 -1,200
6 +2,000 4,000 +6,000 Ser. rev.
Salary
7 -6,750 2,800 Exp.
-3,200 Rent Exp.
Utilities
-750 Exp.
8 +2,200 -2,200
9 -2,500 -2,500 Drawing
+20,00
Bal. 27,250 +1,800 +2,500 0 =1,300 +45,000 +14,500 -6,750 -2,500
Total
Assets Br. 51,550. Total Liability and Equity Br. 51,550.
Look, the information contained clearly shows you the applicability of those basic points of
transaction analysis presented above.
Dear students, the above analysis are the simplest way to understand the basics of accounting.
More over it is the critical step to deal smoothly with the essence of whole recording activity
which you will learn in the following chapters. So please take sufficient time to do and review it
until you are certain about and capable enough to:
Analyze the effects of each transaction on the accounting equation
Identify the name specific item affected within the component names
Keep the accounting equation in balance
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provide a company’s history quantified in money terms. The financial statements most
frequently provided are the following.
1. Statement of profit or Loss and Other comprehensive income presents the summery
of revenues and expenses to determine the resulting net income or net loss for a specific
period of time. Such as a month or a year.
2. A statement of owner’s equity summarizes the changes in owner’s equity for a specific
period of time. Such as a month or a year.
3. A statement of financial position (sometimes referred to as a balance sheet) reports the
assets, liabilities, and equity of a company at a specific date. Usually at the close of the
last day of a month or a year.
4. A statement of cash flows summarizes information about the cash inflows (receipts) and
outflows (payments) for a specific period of time. Such as a month or a year.
NB:
The income statement, statements of Owner’s equity, statement of cash flows, and
comprehensive income statement holds financial information of a particular period,
whereas the statement of financial position is for a point in time.
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As discussed earlier income statement do not include investment and drawings made by owners,
even though both investment and drawing affects owner’s equity.
Illustration 1.3. Financial Statements of a Sole Proprietor Business
Illustration 1.3.1.Statement of profit or Loss and Other comprehensive income
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Total Equity and liabilities Br. 51,550
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Like income statement Owners Equity statement has two parts, i.e the heading and the main
body. The heading is summers the name of the business, the type of statement and the reporting
period with in three lines. Whereas the main body starts with the beginning balance of owners
equity (which is zero at the start of the business), and ends up with the ending balance of owner’s
equity. Investment and net income are added to whereas, Drawing and Net loss if any are
deducted from the beginning Owners Equity to determine the balance for equity at the end of a
particular period.
NB: Net income and net Loss are mutually exclusive; they never appear together for any
particular reporting period.
3. Statement of Financial Position
Statement of financial position reports the assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific date. The
asset and liability amounts are taken from the last line of the tabular summary of
illustration1.12.1 of. Melkam’s Capital as of August 30, 2016, is taken from the statement of
owner’s equity on illustration 1.3.3
The statements of financial position have two parts, i.e the heading and the main body. The main
body lists assets at the top followed by equity and liability. Total assets must equal total equity
and liabilities. For the current case of Melkam Internet café there is only one liability, i.e
Accounts Payable, on its statement of financial position. But in most cases, there will be more
than one liability. When two or more liabilities are involved, the proper order of listing is as
follows.
Liabilities
Notes payable Br. XXX
Accounts Payable XX
Salary and Wages payable XX
Total Liabilities XXX
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As you see in Melkam Internet café’s statement of cash flows in Illustration 1.3.4 cash is
increased by Br, 27,250 during the period. This is resulted because of the net effect of a Br.4,750
increase in the Net cash provided by operating activity, a Br. 8,000 decrease from investing
activity and a Br. 42,500 increase of cash flow from financing activities.
NB: Investing activities pertain to investments made by the company, not investments made by
the owners. Any ways don’t worry about the statements of cash flow the course Financial
Accounting I gives you the full detail.
- Most students do not consider the heading of financial statements as a necessary section.
But it is important to distinguish one finical statement from the other. Without heading
financial reports cannot gives complete information.
- Similarly most students’ give less attention for the necessity of underlings while
preparing financial statement. Proper underlinings are the ultimate indicators for sub
totals and final or the grand total of a particular statement. As a result please don’t
hesitate to make single underline under subtotal and double underline under final totals.
1.12.1. Financial Statements and their Interrelationships
The preparation of the financial statements for Melkam Internet café has been finalized. Now it
is the time to show you the interrelationship between the statements.
Net income determined by the income statement, Br, 7,750 is used in the statements of
owner’s equity to determinate ending balance of owner’s equity.
The figure for ending equity Br. 50,250, in the statements of owner’s equity is used by
statements of financial position for the determination of the balance for total liability and
equity.
The cash balance Br. 27, 250 shown in the statements of financial position to reconcile
the ending cash balance determined in the statements of cash flow.
Synopsis of Lecture
Transaction analysis refers to an activity of specifying the effects of a particular
transaction on the components of the accounting equation.
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Statement of profit or Loss and Other comprehensive income presents the summery of
revenues and expenses of the entity for a specific period of time.
The owner’s equity statement reports the changes in owner’s equity for a specific period
of time.
The statement of cash flows provides information on the cash receipts and payments of
the entity for a specific period of time.
Statement of financial position reports the assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific date.
Wrap-up Discussion Question
Explain the necessity of analyzing business transaction.
Explain the interrelationship among financial statements
Exercise: - Use an accounting equation and show the effects of the following transaction on the
components of the equation.
-purchase of supplies for cash Br. 200
-Sales of service on credit Br. 3000
- Purchase of equipment on credit Br. 5,000
- Payment of cash as a full settlement Br. 5000
SELF-EXAMINATION QUESTION
1. A profit-making business that is a separate legal entity and in which ownership is divided
into shares of stock is known as a:
A. Sole proprietorship C. Partnership
B. Single proprietorship D. Corporation
2. The properties owned by a business is called:
A. Asset C. Stockholders’ equity
B. Liability D. Owner’s Equity
3. If the total asset increased by Br. 20,000 during the year and liability increased by Br.
12,000 during the same year, the amount and direction(increase or decrease) of the year’s
change in owner’s equity is:
A. Br. 32,000 increase C. Br. 8,000 increase
B. Br. 32,000 decrease D. Br. 8,000 decrease
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4. A list of Asset liability and owners equity at the specific date is:
A. Statement of owners equity C. Statements of Cash flow
B. Statements of financial potion D. Income statement
5. If revenue was Br. 45,000, expenses were Br. 17,500 and owner’s withdrawal were Br.
10,000, the amount of net income or net loss was:
A. Br. 45,000 net income C. Br. 37,500 net loss
B. Br. 32,000 net income D. Br.2,500 net loss
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CHAPTER TWO
ACCOUNTING CYCLE FOR SERVICE-GIVING BUSINESS
Overview of Chapter 2
As you recall from Chapter 1, we have analyzed business transactions of Melkam Internet café,
in the way that displays their effects on the elements of the accounting equation. Then we have
prepared a tubular summery the transactions and also the financial statements. This is so in this
way because the business is small. But what if we are going to record transactions of large
business like Unity University, Teklehaimanot Hospital or Ethiopian Airlines? These firms
entertain 100 or 1000 folds of the monthly transactions of Melkam Internet Café within a single
day. Do you think it seems practical and wise to analyze each and every transactions in the way
we did before? No. Record transaction in this way would be impractical, expensive, and
unnecessary. Though tabulation is a simple way to show you how transaction and their
respective effects are captured in the basic accounting equation, it is not the formal system for
recording business transactions at all. Instead, companies use a set of systematic procedures and
records to keep track of transaction data more easily. This chapter introduces and illustrates the
basic procedures used in the recording process and completion of accounting cycle.
2.0 Chapter Learning Objectives
After completing this chapter you should be able to:
Explain what an account is and how it helps in the recording process.
Define the term debits and credits and explain their role in the recording process
Identify the basic steps in the recording process.
Explain what a journal is and how it helps in the recording process.
Explain what a ledger is and how it helps in the recording process.
Explain what posting is and how it helps in the recording process.
Prepare a trial balance and explain its purposes.
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Session 6 (Hr. 11 and 12)
Topic: - The Recording Process
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As you see from the figures the format looks like the letter “T”, as a result the simplest form of
an account is referred to as a T-account
1. Account Title
The account title represents the name of the particular account which is written on the top of the
account.
2. Debits and Credits
The term debit indicates the left side of an account, where as the term credit indicates the right
side of the account. They are commonly abbreviated as Dr. for debit and Cr. for credit.
The termsdebit and credit repeatedly used in the recording of the increases and decreases of a
particular account.
The act of entering an amount on the left side of an account is called debiting. Whereas making
an entry on the right side is crediting the account.
The act of debiting or crediting by itself doesn’t represent an increase or a decrease in a specific
account. Increase or decrease of an account is determined on the basis of account classification
only.
2.1.3. Balance Side of an Account
Increasing side of an account is called balance side. An account shows a debit balance side if
the total of the debit amounts exceeds the credits. An account shows a credit balance side if the
credit amounts exceed the debits. Dear students’ illustration 2.1 shows you the recordings and
the balance determination of an account. Beside the illustration also shows you how the account
format sparely records increases and decreases in a particular account compared with tabular
format dealt on Chapter 1). The data for the illustration is taken from Melkam Internet Café
tabular summery of illustration 1.2.
Illustration 2.2 Tabular summary and account form for Melkam Internet Café Cash account
Tabular Summery of
Cash Account Form
Cash
Br.45,000
Debit 45,000 Credit 20,000
-20,000
8,500 1,200
+8,500
2,000 6,750
-1,200
2,200 2,500
+2,000
Bal. 27,250
_6,750 _-2,500
_2,200 27,250
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Look, the above two formats for your comparison. Every positive figure in the tabular summary
represents an increase in cash and every negative figure represents a decrease in cash
balance. Notice also in the account form the increases and decreases in cash are recorded in
a separate side. I.e the increases in cash is recorded as debits, and the decreases as
credits. There is no need to uses + or – signs in the account format.
Having increases on one side and decreases on the other reduces recording errors and helps in
determining the totals of each side of the account as well as the account’s balance side. The
balance is determined by netting the two sides (subtracting one amount from the other). The
account balance, a debit of Br. 27,250, indicates that Melkam Internet Cafe had Br. 27,250 more
increases than decreases in cash. As a result cash has a debit balance side.
NB: For simplicity all accounts which, appear in the left hand side of the accounting equation
has a debit balance side. Whereas all those accounts which appeared on the right hand side of
the accounting equation has a credit Balance side.
2.1.4. The Rules of Debit and Credit in a double entry system
In Chapter 1, you have learned the effect of a transaction each transaction has a dual effect on the
basic accounting equation and that maintains the accounting equation always in balance.
Thisfactprovides the basis for the double-entry system in the formal records of transactions.
Under the double-entry system, the dual (two-sided) effect of each transaction is recorded in
appropriate accounts as debits and credits. This system provides a logical method for recording
transactions and helps to ensure the recording accuracy. If every transaction is recorded with
equal debits and credits, the sum of all the debits to the accounts must equal the sum of all the
credits.
The double-entry system for determining the equality of the accounting equation is much more
efficient than the plus/minus procedure used in Chapter 1. On the following pages, we will
illustrate debit and credit procedures in the double-entry system.
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Rules of Debits and Credits for Asset, Liabilities and Owners Equity
In Illustration 2.2 above increases in Cash (an asset) were entered on the left side i.e debit, and
decreases in Cash were entered on the right side i.e credit. Since assets are found on the left side
of the basic accounting equation.
On the other hand increases in liabilities must be entered on the right or credit side, and
decreases in liabilities must be entered on the left or debit side. It is therefore follows that
increases and decreases in liabilities will have to be recorded oppositefrom increases and
decreases in assets.
balance side or normal balance of an account is the side where the increaseing in the account is
recorded. For instance Asset accounts normally show debit balances. That is, debits to a
specific asset account should exceed credits to that account. Likewise, liability accounts
normally show credit balances. That is, credits to a liability account should exceed debits to
that account.
As it is discussed in Chapter 1 indicated, owner’s equity has four subdivisions: Owner’s Capital,
drawing, revenues, and expenses. In a double-entry system, companies keep accounts for each of
these subdivisions, as explained below.
Owner’s capital has a credit balance side. Revenues increase equity, a revenue account use the
same debit/credit rules as owner’s capital account. As you know Drawing and Expenses
decreases equity account, they have the opposite Debit/credit rules as owner’s capital account.
As a result they have a debit normal balance.
Knowing the normal balance in an account may help you to trace errors. For example, a credit
balance in an asset account such as Equipment or a debit balance in a liability account such as
Accounts Payable usually indicates an error.
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Accounting
Equation Asset = Liabilities + Owners Equity
Account Owners
Classification Asset = Liability + Capital + Revenue - Expense - Drawing
Dr. Cr. Dr. Cr. Dr. Cr. Dr. Cr. Dr. Cr. Dr. Cr.
Debit/Credit
Rule + - - + - + - + + - + -
NB: in the above illustration, the plus sign represents an increase in an account where as minus
sign represents a decrease in an account.
The information in the above table is summarized as follows.
Debit Credit
- Increase in asset - Decrease in asset
- Decrease in Liability - Increase in Liability
- Decrease in equity - Increase in equity
- Decrease in revenue - Increase in revenue
- Increase in Expense - Decrease in Expense
Synopsis of Lecture
Account is a subdivision of the elements in accounting equation
The simplest form of an account is referred to as a T-account
The left side of an account is debit side and the right hand side of an account is credit
Accounts with debit balances appear in the left column, and those with credit balances in
the right column.
The increasing side of an account is normal balance or balance side
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Read about classification of accounts
The simplified versions of the official account definitions provided by the FASB, using the IASB
definitional structure, are as follows.
i. Assets :- A resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events and from which future
economic benefits are expected to flow to the entity.
The following three characteristics must be present for an item to qualify as an asset:
1. The asset must provide probable future economic benefit that enables it to provide future
net cash inflows.
2. The entity is able to receive the benefit and restrict other entities’ access to that benefit.
3. The event that provides the entity with the right to the benefit has occurred.
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Assets have features that help identify them in that they are exchangeable, legally enforceable,
and have future economic benefit (service potential). It is that potential that eventually brings in
cash to the entity and that underlies the concept of an asset.
IFRS based Classification of assets :-International Financial Reporting Standard made asset
classification as follows:
Property Plant and Equipments:- are asses held to be used in the production and supply of
goods or services, for administrative purpose, or for rental to others. As per IAS 16 Property,
plant, and equipment includes land,building structures (offices, factories, warehouses), and
equipment (machinery, furniture, tools). PPEs also include Biological assets (Bearer Plants) and
mineral recourses. Biological assets are Bearer plants that are used to produce agricultural
products, like Rubber tree, Fruit tree, Sheep, Dairy cattle etc. Mineral Recourses and Mineral
reserves used to produce such as oil, natural gas and mineral water etc.
Intangible Asset:- are identifiable assets, without physical existence, held for use in production
and supply of goods or services, for administrative purpose or, for rental to others. (IAS 38).
Intangible assets includes Brand, Copyrights, Trademarks, Trade secrets, Permits, Corporate
intellectual property etc.
Noncurrent Asset Held for Sale:-is a PPE that are available for immediate sale in its present
condition and its sale must be highly probable. In addition, the asset must be currently being
marketed actively at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value. For example a
building in use by a business but the entity is committed to sale it on the moment the company
gets buyers.(IFRS 5)
Inventories:- Are asset held for sale in the normal course of business or in the process of
production for such sale or in the form of materials or supplies to be used in the production
process or in the rendering of services. Harvested and stored biological assets held for sale is
also categorized under inventories. (IAS2)
Biological Asset in Agricultural Activity and Agricultural Products:- assets point of
harvest:- assets that are agricultural products growing on bearer plant Example, Picked fruit,
harvested sugar cane or wool on the sheep at point of harvest. (IAS41).
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Investment Property:- Are properties held to earn rentals or for capital application or both
rather than for use in production for use or for sale. For instance, holding a building or a land for
rental purpose is an investment property.
Financial Asset:- is cash, an equity investment of another company (e.g., ordinary or preference
shares), or a contractual right to receive cash from another party (e.g., loans, receivables, and
bonds).( IAS 32 and IFRS 7)
NB: the above are detailed classification for the assets; you are required to read more about the
classifications. However for the purpose of simplicity, assets generally are classified in to
noncurrent and current asset. Noncurrent assets are assets that cannot be easily and readily
converted into cash and cash equivalents. Non-current assets are also termed fixed assets, or
long-term assets which serve an entity for a period more than one year. Noncurrent asset is
reclassified in to three. These are PPEs, Mineral Recourses and Intangible Assets.
On the other hand Current assets are cash or other assets that companies reasonably expect to
convert into cash, sell, or consume in operations within a single operating cycle or within a year.
This includes Cash, account receivable, inventory etc. The general classification is within the
scope of the above asset category.
ii. Liabilities. A present obligation of the entity arising from past events, the settlement of
which is expected to result in an outflow from the entity of resources embodying economic
benefits.
The following three characteristics must be present for an item to qualify as a liability:
1. A liability requires that the entity settle a present obligation by the probable future
transfer of an asset on demand when a specified event occurs or at a particular date.
2. The obligation cannot be avoided.
3. The event that obligates the entity has occurred.
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Lease liability:- a present obligation arising from lease agreements. Lease an agreement
whereby the leaser conveys to the lessee the right to use an asset for an agreed period of time in
return for payment. (IAS 17).
Employee Benefit liability:- a present obligation incurred by an entity in exchange for service
rendered by employees for the termination of employment. Employee benefits liability included,
salary payable, Bonus payable, pension payable, severance pay.(IAS 19)
Income Tax liability:- A present statutory obligation to pay taxes to the government based on
taxable profits(IAS12).
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Recording system is an accounting system used to capture (Record) continues track of business
transaction.
Steps in the recording transactions
There are three basic steps in the recording process:
I. Analyze each transaction for its effects on the accounts.
II. Enter the transaction information in a journal.
III. Transfer the journal information to the appropriate accounts in the ledger.
I. Analyzing Business Transaction
Analyzing a business transaction is reviewing the information included in a particular business
document and identifies the transaction effect on a particular account. Business documents are
those source documents like Receipts, invoices, a check or a bill that provides evidence for the
occurrence of the transaction.
The analysis of business transaction answers the following three questions.
i. Which accounts are affected? helps to identify the specific account affected by a
particular transaction
ii. How are they affected? Helps to specify whether the identified accounts are
increased or decreased due to the transaction.
iii. Which account is to be debited and which account is to be credited by how much.
NB; dear students this activity is a pre-stage for the recording activity. It helps to enhance the
accuracy of the recording activity. The company then enters the transaction in the journal.
Finally, it transfers the journal entry to the designated accounts in the ledger.
The steps in the recording process occur repeatedly. In Chapter 1, we have illustrated the first
step, i.e transaction analysis, and in this chapter and the later chapters you will have more
examples and advanced illustrations to practice the recording activity.
2.2.1. The Journal and Recording Transactions
The journal is a format used to record a transaction for the first time. The process of enteringa
transaction from the source document in to a journal is called Journalizing. Companies uses a
journal to record transactions in chronological order (the order in which they occur). Thus,
the journal is referred to as the book of original entry. For each transaction, the journal shows
the debit and credit effects on specific accounts.
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Types of Journal
There are two types of Journal: General journal and the Special journal. General journal is
the most basic form of Journal which is used to record all kinds of business transactions.
Whereas special journal is a journal used to record only as specific transaction type. For instance
cash journal records only a transaction which involves cash receipt or payments, purchase
journal records only purchase transaction only etc., for the matter of this course whenever we use
the term “journal” in this course, we mean the general journal, unless we specify otherwise.
Significances of recording transaction in a journal
The journal makes several significant contributions to the recording process:
1. It discloses the complete effects of a transaction in one place.
2. It provides a chronological record of transactions.
3. It helps to prevent or locate errors because the debit and credit amounts for each entry
can be easily compared.
Illustration 2.3 Format for a General Journal
As shown inillustration2.3.below a general journal has a space for date, account titles and
explanations, references, and two amount columns.
General Journal Page No.
Date Descriptions P/R Debit Credit
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General Journal Page 1
Date Account Title and Descriptions P/R Debit Credit
2016
Aug 1 Cash 45,000
Owner's capital 45,000
(Initial Investment)
2 Equipment 20,000
Cash 20,000
(purchase of equipment)
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there balance sides to journalize them. Once you are able to journalize correctly and
properly, the other recording activities are so simple for you. The base for financial
reporting is the ability to journalize transactions properly. Note also that journal is the
source document or the base for further activities on the recording process so please take
time and record it properly and correctly.
An individual record for debit or credit of a particular transaction is called journal entry. Journal
entries for a transaction which involves only two accounts i.e one debit and one credit account is
called simple entry. The journal entry on illustration 2.4 above is simple entries. Journal entries
which involve more than two accounts for a transaction is called compound entry. To illustrate
let us take transition 6 of Melkam Internet Café’ of chapter 1. On August 20, Melkam performed
a Br. 6,000 photocopy service to customers and receives cash of br. 2,000. Melkam billed the
customer balance of Br. 4,000 on account. The compound entry is as follow
Illustration 2.5 Compound Journal Entry
Date Account Title and Descriptions P/R Debit Credit
2016
Aug 20 Cash 2,000
Accounts receivable 4,000
Service fee 6,000
(Sales of service for cash and on account)
NB; service fee is a revenue account.
Synopsis of Lecture
Account is a place to record increases or decreases of in the element of a particular
accounting equation.
Asset, liability, owner’s equity, revenue and expense are the five classification of an
account.
Assets are resources owned by a business and are classified in to current and noncurrent
asset.
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The basic steps in the recording system are analyzing traction, recording transaction to a
journal and post the journal to a ledger.
Journalizing is a process of entering a transaction in to a journal.
A journal is a general journal if it records all business transaction, where as it is a special
journal if record is made specific transaction types only.
a single record of the journal is called an entry
Warm-up Discussion
What distinguishes PPE,s from current assets
Discuss which activities need to be recorded and which do not. Any that have economic
effects should be recorded in a journal.
Analyze the effects of transactions on asset, liability, and equity accounts.
Explain the term source documents and its role in the recording process.
Next day’s assignment
Read about posting business transactions
Session 9 and 10 (Hr.17, 18, 19 and 20)
Topic:- Posting Journal to a Ledger
Session Learning Objectives
At the end of these sessions, students are expected to:
Explain what a ledger is and its role in the recording process.
Explain what posting is and how it helps in the recording process.
Prepare a trial balance and explain its purposes.
Discussion issues:
Posting
Preparation of trial Balance
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kinds of ledgers for each account. But every accountmust have at least one ledger calleda general
ledger. A general ledger contains all the asset, liability, and equity accounts.
The ledger provides the balance in each of the accounts and keeps track of changes in these
balances. For example, the Cash account shows the amount of cash available to meet current
obligations. The Accounts Receivable account shows amounts due from customers. The
Accounts Payable account shows amounts owed to creditors. Each account is numbered for
easier identification.
Standard Form of Account
The simple T-account format of a ledger used in accounting course is often very useful for
illustration purposes. However, in practice, the account format (three-column format) is
appropriate and standardized for the formal posting process. The three-column form of an
accounthas three money columns—debit, credit, and balance. The balance in the account is
determined after posting each entry. Companies use the Postreference (P/R) columns to
specifying the source document for each posting and for cross checking purpose. Illustration
2.6 shows a typical form, using assumed data from a cash account.
Illustration 2.6 Three-column form of account
Posting
The process of transferring information from a journal to a ledger is called posting. This phase
of the recording process accumulates the effects of those journalized transactions into the
respective ledger accounts. Posting involves the following steps.
1. In the ledger, enter, the date and amount shown in the journal in the appropriate column
of the account(s) debited,
2. Enter the journal page number in the post reference column of the account
3. Enter account number in the post reference column of the journal.
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4. In the ledger, enter, the date and amount shown in the journal, in the appropriate column
of the account(s) credited,
5. repeat step 2 and 3
Illustration 2.7 the following illustration shows you how to recording and post transactions.
On April 1, 2016, Ato Enkopa Bfikir established a House Finishing and Decor business, during
the month of April Ato Enkopa completed the following business transactions.
April 1. Enkopa transferred cash of Br. 50,000 fromhis personal bank account to the account
opened by the name of the business. He has Br. 175,000 left in his personal bank account and
one residential house worth br. 980,000 around Gereji.
April 3. Paid office rent for the month, Br. 3,000.
April 8. Purchased a used truck for Br.60,000, paying Br. 20,000 cash and giving a note payable
for the remainder.
April12. Purchased various equipments on account, Br. 10,000.
April 14. Purchased supplies for cash, Br. 3,200.
April 14. Paid for a one year property insurance premium Br. 2, 400.
April 18. Received cash for job completed, Br. 14, 800.
April 21. Paid creditor a portion of the amount owed for equipment on April 13 April, 15, 000.
April 23. Sent invoices to customers, of Br. 9,600 service delivered on account.
April 25. Received an invoice for truck expenses, to be paid in May Br.1,000.
April 26. Paid Telephone and electric expense of the month, Br. 650
April 27. Paid miscellaneous expenses, Br. 420.
April 27. Received cash from customers on account, Br. 4,000.
April 29. Paid salary and wages of employees for the month, Br. 6,400.
April 30. Ato Enkopa the owner withdrew cash for personal use, Br. 1,800.
Instructions:
i. Journalize the above transactions using the general journal
ii. Post the Journal in to a ledger
iii. prepare Trail Balance
Summary Illustration of Journalizing and Posting
i. Journalizing
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Illustration 2.7.1 Journal entries of the above transactions
General Journal Page 1
Date Account Title and Descriptions P/R Debit Credit
2016
April 1 Cash 50,000
Enkopa Capital 50,000
(Initial Investment)
3 Rent Expense 3,000
Cash 3,000
(Payment For rent)
8 Truck 60,000
Cash 20,000
Notes payable 40,000
(Purchase of Truck)
12 Office Equipment 10,000
Cash 10,000
(Purchase of Equipment)
14 Supplies 3,200
Cash 3,200
(Purchase of Supplies)
14 Prepaid Insurance 2,400
Cash 2,400
(Purchase of insurance coverage)
18 Cash 14,800
service fee 14,800
(cash received from customers)
21 Notes payable 15,000
Cash 15,000
(Cash Paid on account)
23 Accounts Receivable 9,600
Service Fee 9,600
(Provision of service)
25 Truck Expense 1,000
Accounts payable 1,000
(Payment for Truck Expense)
26 Utilities Expense 650
Cash 650
(payment for Light and telephone)
27 Miscellaneous Expense 420
Cash 420
(Payment for various Expenses)
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Page 2
27 Cash 4,000
Accounts Receivable 4,000
(cash received on account)
29 Salary Expense 6,400
Cash 6,400
(Salary payment)
30 Enkopa's Drawing 1,800
Cash 1,800
(Withdrawal of cash)
ii. Posting the Journal to a Ledger
Illustration 2.7.2. Posting the above journal to individual ledger accounts
Before posting a journal you need to prepare charts of account. This helps you to open a ledger
by the name of each account.
Charts of Account
The list of all accounts used by the business with their account numbers is called Charts of
account. The account number is the identification code given to each account. Depending on the
size of the businesses, companies might code their accounts using two or more digits. In a two
digit coding the first digit represents account classification and the second indicates the position
of the account with in the classification. For instance is 13 is given to an account Supplies: it is to
mean that supplies is an assets account listed third.
Here is the chart of account for Enkopa House Finishing and Décor.
Enkopa House Finishing and Décor
Charts of Account
Account Account
Account Title Number Account Title Number
Asset Owner’s Equity
Cash 11 Enkopa's capital 31
Accounts Receivable 12 Enkopa's Drawing 32
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NB:- Posting should be performed in chronological order. That is, the company should post all
the debits and credits of a particular day journal before proceeding to the next day journal entry.
Postings should be made on a timely basis to ensure that the ledger is up to date.
The reference column of a ledger account appoints the journal page from which the transaction
was posted. The explanation column of the ledger account is used infrequently because an
explanation already appears in the journal.
Illustration 2.7.2 below displayed all the postings of the above journal.
iii. Posting the Journal to a ledger
Illustration 2.7.2 posting of the above journal to the respective general ledgers accounts
Cash Account No.11
Date Explanation P/R Debit Credit Balance
2016
April 1 Jp1 50,000 50,000
3 Jp1 3,000 47,000
8 Jp1 20,000 27,000
12 Jp1 10,000 17,000
14 Jp1 3,200 13,800
14 Jp1 2,400 11,400
18 Jp1 14,800 26,200
21 Jp1 15,000 11,200
24 Jp1 2,000 13,200
26 Jp1 650 12,550
27 Jp1 420 12,130
27 Jp2 4,000 16,130
29 Jp2 6, 400 9, 730
30 Jp2 1,800 7, 930
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Supplies Account No. 13
Date Explanation P/R Debit Credit Balance
2016
April 14 Jp1 3,200 3,200
Debi
Date Explanation P/R t Credit Balance
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2016
April 1 Jp1 50,000 50,000
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The trial balance proves the mathematical accuracy and equality of the total debits and the
total credits after posting. Under the double-entry system, this equality occurs when the sum of
the debit account balances equals the sum of the credit account balances. In addition, a trial
balance is useful in the preparation of financial statements.
The steps for preparing a trial balance are:
1. List the account titles and their balances.
2. Total the debit and credit columns.
3. Prove the equality of the two columns.
iii.Trial Balance
Illustration 2.7.3. Trial balance
Enkopa House Finishing and Decor
Trial Balance
For the month ended April30, 1016
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Total 102,400 102,400
The trial balance for Enkopa House Finishing and Décor as of April30, 2016, is shown in
illustration 2.7.3.The balances of the accounts in the above trial balance is taken from the ledger
balance of the individual ledger illustration 2.7.2. Before the preparation of a trial balance the
individual account balance of each account of ledger must be determined. The trial balance
prepared immediately after completion of posting is called unadjusted trial balance. The above
trial balance is known as an unadjusted trial balance. This is to distinguish it from the adjusted
trial balances that we will prepare in the next chapters.
Limitations of a Trial Balance
A trial balance does not guarantee freedom from recording errors, however. Numerous errors
may exist even though the totals of the trial balance columns agree. For example, the trial
balance may balance even when (1) a transaction is not journalized, (2) a correct journal entry is
not posted, (3) a journal entry is posted twice, (4) incorrect accounts are used in journalizing or
posting, or (5) offsetting errors are made in recording the amount of a transaction. As long as
equal debits and credits are posted, even to the wrong account or in the wrong amount, the total
debits will equal the total credits. The trial balance does not prove that the company has
recorded all transactions or that the ledger is correct.
Locating Errors
In locating errors the first activity is to determine the amount of the difference between the two
columns of the trial balance. After this amount is known, the following steps are often helpful:
1. If the difference is Br. 10, Br.100, or Br.1,000, it may be addition error, re-add the trial
balance columns.
2. If the difference is divisible by 2, scan the trial balance to see whether a balance equal to
half the error has been entered in the wrong column.
3. If the difference is divisible by 9, it is a transposition and slide error while copying.
Retrace the account balances to see whether they are incorrectly copied from the ledger.
For example, if a balance was Br. 43 and it was listed as Br.34, a Br.9 error has been
made. Reversing the order of numbers is called a transposition error.
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4. If the difference is not divisible by 2 or 9, scan the ledger to see whether an account
balance in the amount of the error has been omitted from the trial balance, and scan the
journal to see whether a posting of that amount has been omitted.
Correction of Error
Occasional error in journalizing and posting transactions are unavoidable. Procedures used to
correct error in the journal and ledger varies according to the nature of the error and the
duration which it is discovered.
If an error in the journal is discovered before the entry is posted, the correction will be made
by drawing a line through the error and insert the correct account or amount immediately
above.
If an entry in the journal is recorded correctly, but incorrectly posted to wrong side, i.e debit
as credit, it will be corrected by drawing a line through the error and posting the correct item
above it.
If an error in the journal is discovered after it is posted to the ledger, it will be corrected by
recording and posting correcting entries.
Procedures for Correcting Entries
Error Correction procedure
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Error in recording but not yet posted Draw a single line through the error
Correct recording but incorrect posting Draw a single line through the error
Incorrect journal entry is posted Journalize and post correcting entry
Lecture Synopsis
A group of account is called a ledger.
The process of transferring a journal to a ledger is called posting.
Determine the ending balance by netting the total debits and credits.
List of all accounts with their account number is called charts of account
List of all accounts with their account balance is called trial balance.
A trial balance proves the mathematical accuracy of the recording process.
Trial balance doesn’t give an absolute prove about the accuracy of the recording process.
An entry made to correct recording error is called correcting entry.
Next day’s assignment
Read about the procedures for completion of accounting cycle
Session 11 and (Hr. 21and 22)
Topic:- Posting Journal to a Ledger
Session Learning Objectives
At the end of these sessions, students are expected to:
Explain and prepare work sheet.
Record and post adjusting and closing entries
Prepare post closing trial balance
2.3. Completing an Accounting Cycle for Service Giving Business
Dear students in the previous part of this section we have tried to learn how business transactions
are recorded posted and preparing of trial balance. Now in this part we will try to complete the
accounting cycle and to issue financial statement. Then some accounts are adjusted and we have
also seen why and how to adjust accounts. Completion of the accounting cycle involves the
following completion activities,
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ii. Preparation of financial statements
a. Income Statement
b. Statements of Owners Equity
c. Statements of financial position
iii. Record and post adjusting entries
iv. Record and post closing entries
v. Preparation of post closing trial balance
The following trial balance is taken from Enkopa House Finishing prepared for April 30,
2016. This trial balance is prepared by taking the ending balance of each ledger. Such trial
balance is referred to as unadjusted trial balance. So, adjusting (updating) accounts are
required before preparation of financial statement. Although issues of Adjusting accounts
will be deeply discussed in chapter 3, the following are the reasons for adjustment
1. To record those events which are not journalized daily, for example daily consumption of
supplies like a piece of paper
2. To record those costs, which expire with time and are therefore not recorded, for example
prepaid insurance or rent
3. To record those items previously unrecorded, for example accrued salary
Using the following information perform the instructions ordered below.
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Unadjusted Trial Balance
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iv. Recording and posting closing entries
v. Prepare Post Closing trial balance
vi. Preparation of post closing trial balance
i. Work Sheet
Worksheet is a working paper of an accountant. It showed the details of accounting works and
adjustment to check their arithmetical accuracy before preparing financial statements.
It is a multi-columnar sheet of paper used in the accounting cycle to facilitate the work of
making adjusting and closing entries and preparing financial statements. It is a working paper,
which helps the accountant to assemble all the ledger account balance and adjustment
information together on one schedule.
The basic objective of a worksheet is to organize the information needed to prepare financial
statement without recording and posting adjusting entries.
Worksheet is a working tool or a supplementary device for the accountant and not a permanent
accounting record.
A worksheet generally contains eight to ten columns. A ten column work sheet contains the
following five column heading. Each item needs two amount column, one for debit the other for
credit.
Unadjusted Trial Balance:-a trial balance shows the balance of all accounts after adjustment
at the end of the accounting period.
Adjustments:- Shows accounts that are adjusted as per the adjustment information.
Adjusted trial balance:-a trial balance shows the balance of all accounts after adjustment at
the end of the accounting period.
Income statement:- shows all revenue and expense accounts extended from the adjusted trail
balance.
Balance sheet. Shows all asset, liability, and equity accounts extended from the adjusted trail
balance.
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Steps in preparing worksheet
Step 1 entering unadjusted trial balance
Step 2 enter adjustments in the adjustments column
Step 3 prepare adjusted balance using unadjusted trial balance and adjustments column
Step 4 Extend the adjusted trial balance to the appropriate financial statements
Step 5 Total the income statement column and compute net income or net loss
Step 6 Extend the amount of the net income to credit column or the net loss to the debit column
of the balance sheet and equate the columns
Illustration 3.7 shows you how to prepare worksheet
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Revenues
Service Revenue Br. 25,700
Expenses
Salary Expense Br. 7,650
Rent expense 3,000
Utilities Expense 650
truck expense 1,000
Miscellaneous expense 420
supplies expense 2,000
insurance expense 200
Depreciation Expense 250
Total Expense 15,170
Net Income 10,530
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c. Statements of Financial Position
Asset
Non Current Asset
Property, Plant and Equipment
Truck 60,000
Accumulated depreciation on truck 150
59,850
Equipment 10,000
Accumulateddepreciation on equipment 100
9,900
Total PPE’s 69,750
Current Asset
Prepaid Insurance 2,200
Supplies 1,200
Accounts Receivable 5,600
Cash 7,930
Total Current asset 16,930
Total Asset 86,680
Liability and Equity
Owners equity
Enkopa.’s Capital Br. 58,730
Liabilities
Accounts Payable 1,000
Salary Payable 1,250
Unearned Revenue 700
Notes Payable 25,000
Total Liability 27,950
Total Equity and liabilities Br. 86,680
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Adjusting Entry
Closing Accounts
The revenue, expenses, and drawing accounts are temporary accounts used in classifying and
summarizing changes in the owner’s equity during the accounting period. At the end of the
period, the net effect of the balances in these accounts must be included in the permanent capital
(Retained Earnings) account through closing entry. The balances must also be removed from the
temporary accounts and transferred to permanent account so that will be ready for use in
accumulating data for the following account period. Both of these goals are accomplished by a
series of entries is called closing entries. Closing entries transfer the balances of temporary
accounts to the owner’s capital account.
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1. Revenue account balances are transferred to an account called Income Summary by debiting
each service fee and crediting Income Summary for the total revenue.
2. Expense account balances are transferred to an account called Income Summary by crediting
each expense account for its balance and debiting Income Summary for the total expenses.
3. The balance of Income Summary (net income or net loss) is transferred to the owner’s
capital account by debiting Income Summary for its balance and crediting the owner’s capital
account
4. The balance of the Owner’s Drawing account is transferred to the Owner’s Capital account
debiting the owner’s capital account for the balance of the drawing account and crediting the
drawing account .
In the case of a net loss, Income Summary will have a debit balance after the first two closing
entries. In this case, credit Income Summary for the amount of its balance and debit the owner’s
capital account for the amount of the net loss. Closing entries are recorded in the journal and are
dated as of the last day of theaccounting period. In the journal, closing entries are recorded
immediately followingthe adjusting entries. The caption, Closing Entries, is often inserted
above the closing entriesto separate them from the adjusting entries
Closing Entries
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Date Account Title and Descriptions P/R Debit Credit
A post-closing trial balance is prepared after the closing entries have been posted. Thepurpose of
the post-closing (after closing) trial balance is to verify that the ledger is inbalance at the
beginning of the next period. The accounts and amounts should agreeexactly with the accounts
and amounts listed on the statements of financial position at the end of the period.
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Post Closing Trial Balance
Cash 7,930
Accounts Receivable 5,600
Supplies 1,200
Prepaid Insurance 2,200
Office Equipment 10,000
Accumulated deprecation 100
Truck 60,000
Accumulated deprecation 150
Notes Payable 25,000
Accounts Payable 1,000
Salary Payable 1250
Unearned Service Revenue 700
Enkopa's Capital 58,730
Total 86,930 86,930
SELF-EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
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1. a debit signify
a. an increase in an asset account c. An increase in a liability account
b. a decrease in an asset account d. an increase in the owner’s capital
2. the type of account with the normal credit balance is:
a. Asset c. A revenue
b. Drawing d. An expense
4. the current asset category will include
a. cash c. Supplies on had
b. Accounts receivable d. all of the above
5. the receipt of cash from customers in payments of their accounts would be recorded by a
a. debit to cash, credit to accounts receivable
b. Debit to accounts receivable, credit to cash
c. Debit to accounts payable, credit to accounts payable
d. debit to accounts payable, credit to cash
6. the form listing the balances and the titles of accounts in the ledger on a given date is the:
a. Income statement c. retained earning statement
b. statements of Financial position d. trial balance
ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEM
Simret Abera, MD. has been practicing as a pediatrician for three years. During June, she has
completed the following transaction.
9, One of the items of equipment purchased on june2 was defective. it was returned with the
permission of the supplier, who agreed to reduce the account fot the amount charged for the item,
br. 200
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16, Sold X-Ray film to another doctor at coat, as an accommodation, receiving cash, Br. 500
17, Paid cash for renewal of a 2-year property insurance policy, Br, 1,800
20, Discovered that the balance of cash, and accounts payable as of june1 were overstated by br
160. A payment of that amount to a creditor in May had not been recorded. Journalize the Br.
160 payments as of June 20.
27, Paid cash from the business’s bank account for personal and family expenses br. 3,200
30, Recorded the cash received in payments of service to patients during June Br.13,700
30, Recorded fees charged to patients on account for services performed Br, 3, 800
Samrwit’s Account titles, numbers, and balances as of June 1 are listed as follows: Cash, 11, Br,
3,123, Accounts receivables, 12, Br, 6,725, Supplies, 13 Br. 290, Prepaid Insurance, 14, Br. 365,
equipment, 15, Br. 19, 745, Accounts Payable, 21, BR. 765, Samrawit’s capital, 31,Br.29,483,
Samrawit’s drawing, 32,, Professional Fee, 41, Salary Expense, 51, rent expense, 53, Libratory
Expenses, 55 utility Expense, 56 Miscellaneous Expense, 59
Instructions
1. Open a ledger of four-column accounts for Dr. Samrawit as of june1 of the current year.
Enter the balances in the appropriate balance column and place a check mark (-) in the
post reference column.(Please check the equality of the debits and credits before
proceeding to the next instruction.
2. Record each transactions using general journal
3. Post the journal to the ledger, extending the month end balances to the appropriate
balance columns after all posting is completed.
4. Prepare a trial balance of june30.
CHAPTER THREE
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ADJUSTING ACCOUNTS
Learning Objectives:
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Reading Assignment discussion
Discussion issues:
Adjusting accounts
3.1. Adjusting Accounts
The issue of Adjusting Accounts deals with the timing issue, the basics of adjusting entry and the
preparation of adjusted trial balance and financial statement.
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3.1.3.Accrual versus Cash- Basis of Accounting
Under the accrual basis, companies record transactions that change a company’s financial
statements in the periods in which the events occur. This means that revenues should be
recognized in the period when service is performed and expenses should be recognized in the
period when incurred. Whether or not cash is received or paid. Accrual bases of accounting
adhere to revenue recognition principle. As you recalled from chapter one it is one of the
assumption of IFRS.
The alternative for the accrual basis is the cash basis of accounting. Under cash-basis accounting,
revenue is recognized when cash is received, when as expenses are recognized when cash is
paid. The cash basis seems appealing due to its simplicity, but it often produces misleading
financial statements. It fails to record revenue for a company that has performed services and
expanse that has incurred until cash is transacted. As a result, the cash basis does not obey the
revenue recognition principle.
4. To record those events which are not journalized daily, for example daily consumption of
supplies like a piece of paper
5. To record those costs, which expire with time and are therefore not recorded, for example
prepaid insurance or rent
6. To record those items previously unrecorded, for example accrued salary
The process of updating an account is called adjusting. The journal entries recorded to that
update an account called adjusting entries. The entries are required each time when financial
statement is prepared. Each adjusting entries affect at least one income statement account and
one balance sheet account. Thus, an adjusting entry will always involve revenue or an expense
account in one side and an asset or a liability account in the other side.
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3.3. Classifications and types of Adjusting Entries
3.3.1 Classification of Adjusting Entries
i. Prepayments (Deferrals)
To defer means to postpone or delay. Deferrals are expenses or revenues that are recognized at a
date later than the point when cash was originally paid or received. Companies make adjusting
entries for deferrals to record the portion of the deferred item that was incurred as an expense or
recognized as revenue during the current accounting period. The two types of deferrals are
prepaid expenses and unearned revenues.
Prepayments
1. Prepaid Expenses: Expenses paid in cash and recorded as assets before they are used or
consumed.
2. Unearned Revenues: Revenues received in cash and recorded as liabilities before they
are earned.
ii. Accruals
Accrual is the recognition of revenue or an expense that has arisen but has not yet been recorded.
The word “accrue” means to accumulate or grow in size. An accrual is the recognition of
revenue or an expense that has accumulated overtime but has not yet been recorded. In order to
report the company’s financial position and results of operation, the accruals requires
adjustments. The adjusting entries for accruals are used to record revenues earned and expenses
incurred in the current period. There are two types of accruals in accounting. These are:
Accruals
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1. Accrued revenues: Revenues for services performed but not yet received in cash or
recorded.
2. Accrued expenses: Expenses incurred but not yet paid in cash or recorded.
iii. Estimates
Deprecation is an allocation of the cost of capital assets to expense over their useful lives.The
capital assets included office Equipments, Trucks or Building etc. These items give long years
service and their serving capacity will reduce as a passage of time through use. The cost of a
particular asset is allocated to expense by the amount of estimated reduction in periodic service
giving capacity. Here adjusting entries are required to recognise expenses resulted from usage of
capital assets.
When expenses are prepaid, an asset account called “prepaid expense” is increased (debited) to
show the service or benefit that the company will receive in the future. Examples of common
prepayments are insurance, supplies, advertising, and rent.
Prepaid expenses are costs that expire either with the passage of time (e.g., rent and
insurance) or through use (e.g., supplies). The expiration of these costs does not require daily
entries, which would be impractical and unnecessary. Accordingly, companies postpone the
recognition of such cost expirations until they prepare financial statements. At each statement
date, they make adjusting entries to record the expenses applicable to the current accounting
period and to show the remaining amounts in the asset accounts.
Prior to adjustment, assets are overstated and expenses are understated. Therefore, an adjusting
entry for prepaid expenses results in an increase (a debit) to an expense account and a
decrease (a credit) to an asset account.
Let’s look in more detail at some specific types of prepaid expenses, beginning with supplies.
Supplies
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The purchase of supplies, such as paper and envelopes cleaning supplies, results in an increase (a
debit) to an asset account. During the accounting period, the company keeps using of the
supplies purchased without making the respective record. At the end of the accounting period,
the company counts the remaining supplies and deducts it from the unadjusted balance in the
Supplies (asset) account to determine the used portion. Then record an adjusting entry by
debiting supplies expenses and crediting supplies account for the used portion.
Illustration: As you remember the transaction 3 Enkopa House finishing and Décor of chapter
2, the company purchased supplies costing Br. 3,200 on April 14,2016. The purchase was record
by debiting the asset account supplies. This account shows a balance of Br.3, 200 in the April 30
trial balance. An inventory count at April 30 reveals that Br. 1,200 of supplies are remained on
hand. This means the company consumed supplies costing br. 2,000. This reduces supplies and
increase supplies expense by the amount consumed. As a result Enkopa needs to record this
adjustment using adjusting entries. Illustration 3.1 presents the adjustments.
2016
30 Supplies Expense 2,000
April
Supplies 2,000
(Adjustments for supplies Used)
After recording the adjusting entry it is posted to the appropriate accounts as follows.
Supplies Account No. 13
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NB: After adjustment, the asset account Supplies shows a balance of Br. 1,200, which is equal to
the cost of supplies on hand at the statement date. In addition, Supplies Expense shows a balance
of br. 2,000, which equals the cost of supplies used in April. If Enkopa did not make the
adjusting entry, April expenses are understated and net income is overstated by Br.
2,000. Moreover, both assets and equity will be overstated by Br.2,000 on the April 30
statement of financial position.
Insurance
Companies purchase insurance to protect themselves from losses due to fire, theft, and
unforeseen events. Insurance must be paid in advance, often for more than one year. The cost of
insurance (premiums) paid in advance is recorded as an increase (debit) in the asset account
Prepaid Insurance. At the financial statement date, companies increase (debit) Insurance
Expense and decrease (credit) Prepaid Insurance for the cost of insurance that has expired during
the period.
Illustration: as you recall in previous chapter discussion Enkopa paid Br. 2,400 for a one year
insurance premium on April 14, 2016. The Company recorded the payment by increasing
(debiting) Prepaid Insurance and decreasing (Crediting) Cash. Prepaid insurance shows a debit
balance of Br.2,400 in the April 30, 2016 trial balance before adjustment. Insurance of Br. 200
expires each month. The adjusting entry is recorded in illustration 3.2 as follows.
2016
30 Insurance Expense 200
April
Prepaid Insurance 200
(Adjustments for insurances Expired)
The above adjusting entry is posted to appropriate accounts as follows.
Prepaid Insurance Account No. 14
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Insurance Expense Account No. 54
Date Explanation P/R Debit Credit Balance
2016 Adjusting
April 30 Entry Jp1 200 200
After posting the adjusting entry the asset Prepaid Insurance shows a balance of Br. 2,200, this
represents the unexpired cost for the remaining 11 months of coverage. On the other hand, the
balance in Insurance Expense equals the cost of insurance expired during April. If Enkopa does
not make this adjustment, April expenses are understated by Br. 200 and net income is
overstated by Br. 200. Moreover, both assets and equity will be overstated by 200 on the
April 30 statement of financial position.
3.5. Alternative Treatment of Prepaid Expenses and Unearned Revenues
In discussing adjusting entries for prepaid expenses and unearned revenues, we have illustrated
transactions for which companies made the initial entries to statement of financial position
accounts. In the case of prepaid expenses, the company debited the prepayment to an asset
account. In the case of unearned revenues, the company credited a liability account to record the
cash received in advance.
Some companies use an alternative treatment: i.e. (1) When a company prepays an expense, it
debits an expense account instead of asset. (2) When it receives advance payment for future
services, it credits the amount to a revenue account instead of liability. Companies prefer to use
this alternatives if they think that prepayments are fully consumed in the period payment is made
and delivery of service is completed in the same period advance collection is made. This
alternative treatment of prepaid expenses and unearned revenues has the same effect on the
financial statements as the procedures described in the chapter.
Prepayments initially recognized as expense
To illustrate, assume that on December 1, 2016 Fresh Corner acquired supplies of Br. 1,000 for
cash. The company records prepayments initially as expanse and passes the following Journal
entry
2016 1 Supplies Expense 1000
Dec
Cash 1000
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(to record purchase of supplies as expense)
As you see from the above illustration an expense account (supplies expense) recognized in
advance. Here the company expects that it will use all the supplies purchased before December
31. If the supplies are used fully as expected there is no need for adjusting entry at the end of the
accounting period.
But what if, a br. 200 inventory of supplies is left un-used at the end of the month December 31.
If so adjusting entry is required to reduce the expense account (Supplies expense) and increase
and asset account (Supplies) by the amount of the unused portion of supplies as follows.
2016
31 Supplies 200
December
Supplies expense 200
(to record supplies inventory )
After recording the adjusting entry posting is made to the appropriate accounts as follows
supplies expense
After posting the asset account Supplies shows a balance of Br.200, which is equal to the cost of
supplies on hand at December 31. In addition, Supplies Expense shows a balance of Br. 800.
This is equal to the cost of supplies used between December 1 and December 31. Without the
adjusting entry, expenses are overstated and net income is understated by 200 in the October
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income statement. Also, both assets and equity are understated by Br.200 on the December 31
statement of financial position.
Comparison of Adjustments of prepayments
Prepayments initially recorded as
Asset Expense
1 Supplies 1000 Supplies expense 1000
Cash 1000 Cash 1000
To record purchase of supplies
2 Supplies expense 800 Supplies 200
Supplies 800 Supplies expense 200
Adjustment at used portion Adjust at unused portion
supplies
Supplies
Debit Credit
Credit Dec 1 - -
Debit
Dec 1, 1,000 Dec 31 200
800 Dec 31 Bal. Br. 200
Supplies Expense
As you see from the above illustration the ending balance of supplies ledger under both
treatments the same Br. 200 and also supplies expanse account shows an equal balance of in
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both cases. As a result the alternative treatment of prepaid expenses has the same effect on the
financial statements as the procedures described in the chapter.
Unearned Revenue
When companies receive cash before performing service, they record a liability by increasing
(crediting) Unearned Revenue. Advance collections for rent, magazine subscriptions, airplane
tickets and tuition may result in unearned revenues. Unearned revenue represents the presence
of performance obligation (liability) to deliver a service to particular customers. The company
subsequently recognizes revenues when service is performed. But performance of service does
not involve daily transaction. As a result the recognition of revenue delays until the date of
adjustment. Then, the company makes an adjusting entry to record the revenue earned for
services performed and the liability settled at the end of the accounting period. Typically, prior to
adjustment, liabilities are overstated and revenues are understated. Therefore, as shown
in Illustration 3.3, the adjusting entry for unearned revenues results in a decrease (a debit)
to a liability account and an increase (a credit) to a revenue account.
Illustration: As you remember from Illustration 3.3 of chapter 2 Enkopa received Br. 2,000
from clients in advance for the finishing service. Unearned Service Revenue shows a balance
of Br.2, 000 in the April trial balance. Analysis reveals that the company performed Br.1, 300
services in April.
The liability (Unearned Service Revenue) is therefore decreased, and equity (Service Revenue) is
increased by the amount.
30 Unearned service Revenue 1,300
Service Revenue 1,300
(Adjustments for unearned revenue)
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Unearned Service revenue Account No. 23
After recording and posting adjusting entries the liability Unearned Service Revenue now
shows a balance of Br.700 I.e the amount represents the remaining finishing services expected to
be performed in the future. On the other hand Service Revenue shows total revenue recognized
in April 26,600. Without this adjustment, revenues and net income are understated by Br.
1,300. Moreover, liabilities are overstated and equity is understated by Br. 1,300 on the
April 30 statement of financial position.
Advance Collections Initially Recognized as Revenue
Unearned Revenue
Unearned revenues are recognized as revenue at the time services are performed. Similar to the
case for prepaid expenses, companies may credit (increase) revenue account when they receive
cash for future services.
To illustrate, assume that on December 1Birhana Selam Printing press received Br. 8,000 in
advance to subscribe publishing service and expects to perform the services before December 31.
As per this expectation the company records advance collection as revenues.
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(to record advance collection )
If the publication service is fully performed as expected there is no need for adjusting entry at the
end of the accounting period.
But what if, a br. 1,800 worth subscription service is not yet performed on December 31. If so
adjusting entry is required to reduce the revenue account (Service fee) and increase a liability
account (unearned service fee) by the amount of the unfulfilled portion of supplies as follows.
2016
December 1 Service fee 1,800
After recording the adjusting entry posting is made to the appropriate accounts as follows
Service fee
The liability account Unearned Service fee shows a balance of Br.1,800. This equals the services
that will be performed in the future. In addition, the balance in Service fee equals the services
performed in December. Without the adjusting entry, both revenues and net income are
overstated by Br. 1800 in the December income statement. Also, liabilities are understated by Br.
1,500, and equity is overstated by Br.1,500 on the December 31 statement of financial position.
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Unearned Initially Recorded as:
Liability Revenue
1 Cash 8,000 Cash 8,000
Unearned serv. fee 8,000 Service fee 8,000
To record purchase of supplies
Service fee
Service fee
Credit
Credit NB:
Debit - - Dec 1
Debit - 8,000 Dec1 Dear
Dec.31
Bal. Br.6,500 Dec 31 1,500
Bal. Br.6,500
student, under both treatments service fee, has a balance of Br. 6,200 and unearned service fee
has a balance of Br. 1,800. As a result application of the treatments has the same effect on
income statement and financial position statement.
NB: this alternative treatment for unearned revenue is not recommended by IFRS
Synopsis of lecture:
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As per periodicity assumption an accounting time period that covers a year in length or
12 months is called a fiscal year.
The revenue recognition principle stats that revenue should be recognized in the period in
which it is measured reliably.
The principle of expense recognition is referred to as the matching principle.
The journal entries that bring the accounts up to date at the end of the accounting period
are called adjusting entries.
Adjusting entries can be categorized in to three. i.e. Deferrals (prepaid expense or
unearned revenue),Accruals (Accrued revenue or Accrued expense), and Estimates (
Deprecation or amortization)
- Deferrals are expenses or revenues that are recognized at a date later than the
point when cash was originally paid or received
- Accrual is the recognition of revenue or an expense that has arisen but has not yet
been recorded.
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Topic: - Adjusting Entries for Accruals
Session Learning Objectives
Understand the characteristics of accruals
Prepare adjusting entries for accruals.
Apply alternative treatments for deferrals
Describe the nature and purpose of an adjusted trial balance.
Reading Note
An adjusting entry records the receivable that exists at the statement of financial position date
and the revenue for the services performed during the period. Prior to adjustment, both assets and
revenues are understated. As shown in illustration 3.3, an adjusting entry for accrued revenues
results in an increase (a debit) to an asset account and an increase (a credit) to a revenue
account.
NB: For accruals, there may have been no prior entry, and the accounts requiring adjustment
may both have zero balances prior to adjustment.
Illustration: during the month April Enkopa performed finishing services worth Br. 800 that
were not billed to clients on or before April 30.
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Because these services are not billed, they are not recorded. The accrual of unrecorded service
revenue increases an asset account called Accounts Receivable. It also increases equity by
increasing a revenue account, Service Revenue, as shown in illustration 3.4.
After posting the adjusting entry the asset Accounts Receivable shows a balance of Br.6,400
i.e (9,600-4,000+ 800) on the other hand the updated balance of service revenue is 26,500, i.e
(Br. 14,800 + 9,600 +1,300+ 800). Without the adjusting entry, assets and equity on the
statement of financial position and revenues and net income on the income statement are
understated.
Accrued Expenses
Expenses incurred but not yet paid or recorded at the statement date are called accrued expenses.
Salary payables, rent payable, Interest payable, are common examples of accrued expenses.
Companies make adjustments for accrued expenses to record the obligations that exist at the
statement of financial position date and to recognize the expenses that are applied to the current
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accounting period. Prior to adjustment, both liabilities and expenses are understated. Therefore
an adjusting entry has to be made that result in an increase (a debit) to an expense account
and an increase (a credit) to a liability account.
Illustration: Enkopa paid salaries and wages on April 25 for its employees’ first two weeks of
work. The next payment of salaries will not occur until May 10. As illustration 3.5 Shows, five
working days salary of Br. 1,250 is remained unpaid and unrecorded in April (April 26–30).
Recording adjusting entries for accruals
2016
30 Salary Expense 1,250
April
Salary payable 1,250
(Recognition of Accrued Expense)
As you see from the above table, the company accrued 5 days salary and record adjusting entries
At April 30. The entry increases both an expense(salary expense) and a liability account (Salaries
Payable). It also decreases equity by increasing an expense account, Salaries and Wages
Expense.
Posting Adjusting entries
Salary payable Account No. 24
After posting the adjusting entry, the balance in Salaries and Wages Expense of Br.7,650 is the
actual salary and wages expense for April. The balance in Salaries and Wages Payable of Br.
1,250 is the amount of the liability for salaries and wages Enkopa owes as of April 30. Without
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the Br.1, 250adjustmentsfor salaries expense, the company understated expense by Br.
1,200 and its liabilities by Br.1, 250.
Deprecation
A company typically owns a variety of assets that have long lives, such as buildings, equipment,
and motor vehicles. The period of service is referred to as the useful life of the asset. Because a
building is expected to be of service for many years, it is recorded as an asset, rather than an
expense, on the date it is acquired. As explained in Chapter 1, companies record such assets at
cost, as required by the historical cost principle. To follow the expense recognition principle,
companies allocate a portion of this cost as an expense during each period of the asset’s useful
life. Depreciation is the process of allocating the cost of an asset to expense over its useful life.
The acquisition of long-lived assets is essentially a long-term prepayment for the use of an asset.
An adjusting entry for depreciation is needed to recognize the cost that has been used (an
expense) during the period and to report the unused cost (an asset) at the end of the period. An
important point to understand here is that: Depreciation is a concept of cost allocation, not a
valuation concept. That is, depreciation allocates an asset’s cost to the periods in which it is
used. Depreciation does not attempt to report the actual change in the value of the asset.
Illustration 3.6, As per illustration 2.8 of chapter 2 Enkopa acquired equipment and Truck worth
Br. 10,000 and Br. 60,000. Assume that depreciation on the equipment and truck is Br. 1,200 and
1,800 a year, or br. 100 and 150 per month respectively.
2016
30 Adjusting Entry Jp1 100 100
April
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Here rather than decrease (credit) the asset account directly, Enkopa credits Accumulated
Depreciation—Equipment and accumulated depreciation on Truck account. Accumulated
Depreciation is called a contra asset account. Such an account is offset against an asset account
on the statement of financial position. This account keeps track of the total amount of
depreciation expense taken over the life of the asset. To keep the accounting equation in
balance, Enkopa increasing an expense account, Depreciation Expense.
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NB: All contra accounts have increases, decreases, and normal balances opposite to the account
to which they relate.
Br.9,000
After a company has journalized and posted all adjusting entries, adjusted trial balance is
prepared using updated balance of the ledger accounts. Adjusted trial balance shows the
balances of all adjusted accounts, at the end of the accounting period. The purpose of an adjusted
trial balance is to prove the equality of the total debit with the total credit after adjustment. The
adjusted trial balance is the basis for the preparation of financial statements.
Synopsis of Lecture
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SELF EXAMINATION QUESTION
1. Which of the following is correct when a company uses accrual bases of accounting
a. Revenue is recognized only when cash is received
b. Expense should be recorded in the period when cash is paid
c. Revenue and expense relating for the period should be recognizes regardless of cash exchange
d. revenue should be recognized in accrual bases and expenses on cash payment basis
2. An accrued expense was overlooked to be recorded when preparing income statement, the effect of
this error is that
a. Net income is not affected but liability is overstated
b. Net income is overstated and liability is understated
c. Net income as well as liability are overstated
d. Net income as well as liability are understated
3. a staff salary remained unpaid as of the year end should be incurred by
a. debiting salary accrued and crediting staff salary expense
b. debiting staff salary expense and crediting salary accrued account
c. Debiting prepaid salary and credit staff salary account
d. debiting staff salary expense and crediting cash
4. Prepaid rent account has a balance of br. 9,800 at the beginning of the year, The company is agreed to
pay br. 1,200 per month. assume the company is unable to make any payment for rent during the year,
which of the following holds true at the end of the fiscal year?
a. Prepaid rent has a balance of br. 4,800
b. Accrued rent has a balance of Br. 9,800
c. Prepaid rent has a balance of br. 9,800
d. Accrued rent has a balance of Br. 4,800
5. Which of the following statements is incorrect concerning the worksheet?
a. The worksheet is essentially a working tool of the accountant.
b. The worksheet is distributed to management and other interested parties
c. The worksheet cannot be used as a basis for posting to ledger accounts.
d. Financial statements can be prepared directly from the worksheet before journalizing and
posting the adjusting entries.
6. In a worksheet, net income is entered in the following columns:
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a. Income statement (Dr) and balance sheet (Dr).
b. Income statement (Cr) and balance sheet (Dr).
c. Income statement (Dr) and balance sheet (Cr).
7. When a net loss has occurred, Income Summary is:
a. Debited and Owner’s Capital is credited.
b. Credited and Owner’s Capital is debited.
c. Debited and Owner’s Drawings is credited.
d. Credited and Owner’s Drawings is debited.
8. The closing process involves separate entries to close (1) expenses, (2) drawings, (3)
revenues, and (4) income summary. The correct sequencing of the entries is:
a. (4), (3), (2), (1)
b. (3), (1), (4), (2)
c. (1), (2), (3), (4)
d. (3), (2), (1), (4)
9. The proper order of the following steps in the accounting cycle is:
a. Prepare unadjusted trial balance, journalize transactions, post to ledger accounts,
journalize and post adjusting entries.
b. Journalize transactions, prepare unadjusted trial balance, post to ledger accounts,
journalize and post adjusting entries.
c. Journalize transactions, post to ledger accounts, prepare unadjusted trial balance,
journalize and post adjusting entries.
d. Prepare unadjusted trial balance, journalize and post adjusting entries, journalize
transactions, post to ledger accounts.
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ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEM
The following unadjusted trial balance belongs to Liyou Consulting Firm for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2016.
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4. Insurance expired during the period Br. 2,000
5. Services provided but unbilled at December 31 total br.2, 500
6. Salary Accrued but not yet paid br. 1,500.
Instructions
a. Enter the trial balance on a worksheet and complete the worksheet.
b. Prepare an income statement and owner’s equity statement for December 31 and
financial position statement as of December 31.
c. Journalize the adjusting entries from the adjustments columns of the worksheet.
d. Journalize the closing entries from the financial statement columns of the worksheet.
e. Prepare post closing Trial Balance
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CHAPTER FOUR
Learning Objectives:
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Reading Assignment
Read about a merchandising business and identify the treatments of its unique transaction
A merchandizing Businesses is a business that buy and sale Merchandise. The principal source
of revenue for a merchandising business is sales of merchandise. The account used to record this
revenue is sales. A merchandising business that sale to retailers is a whole seller; where as a
merchandising business that sale to finale users or customers is called retells. Unlike service
giving company merchandising companies has two major expenses. i.e Cost of Goods sold and
Operating expense.
The operations of a merchandising business involve the purchase of merchandise for sale
(purchasing), the sale of the products to customers (sales), and the receipt of cash from
customers (collection). This overall process is referred to as the operating cycle.
Thus, the operating cycle begins with spending cash, and it ends with receiving cash from
customers. When we compare it with service giving business, service giving business involves
rendering of service to customers and receiving cash from customers. As a result the operating
cycle of merchandising businesses is longer than service giving business.
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Cost flow Assumption
Cost flow assumption is about the transfer of a particular cost from one cost object or item to
another. The flow of costs for a merchandising company is as follows. Beginning inventory plus
the cost of goods purchased is the cost of goods available for sale. As goods are sold, they are
assigned to cost of goods sold and those goods which are not sold by the end of the accounting
period represent, ending inventory.
A system used in determining the cost of merchandise sold and the cost of merchandise on hand
is called inventory system. Basically there are two inventory systems in practice, i.e Periodic
inventory system and perpetual inventory system. Companies use one of the two systems to
account for inventory costs
Company’s which use periodic inventory system debited Purchase of merchandise to a purchase
account instead of an inventory account
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ii. Perpetual inventory system
l. There is a continuous record of inventory items. i.e records cost of each inventory
purchase and sale directly to the inventory account
The following illustration shows you how to apply the above inventory systems in recording
purchase and purchase related transactions.
Purchase related transactions include the recording of transportation cost, purchase return and
allowance and purchase discount. The following illustration explains each item and how to
record them using both periodic and perpetual inventory system.
Purchase is an account used to record purchase of goods for resale purpose. Purchase of
merchandise can be made using cash or credit (on account). Purchase is an income statement
account and has a debit normal balance. Companies record purchase when they receive the goods
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from the seller. The business document used as an evidence to record purchase transaction is
Purchase invoice.
NB: A business documents gives full information about a particular transaction. The basic
information included is date, amount and description of the transaction. Each transaction should
be supported by a business document.
Illustration4.1 shows you how to record purchase and purchase related transaction using both
periodic and perpetual inventory system as a compression.
When you compare the above two journal entries the second entry uses the account inventory to
record purchase instead of the purchase account. It is the only difference between periodic and
perpetual systems while recording purchase.
NB: when purchases are made for cash, in that case cash is credited instead of account payable
and the other item remains the same.
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Recording Cost of Transportation
The sales agreement should specify who the seller or the buyer will covers transportation costs.
The terms of agreement is expressed as either FOB shipping point or FOB destination. FOB
Shipping means that the seller places the goods free on board of the sellers place, and the buyer
pays the freight costs. Conversely, FOB destination means that the seller places the goods free on
board to the buyer’s place of business, and the seller pays the freight. When the buyer covers the
transportation costs, these costs are considered as part of the cost of purchasing inventory.
Transaction 2. January 2. Shewa pays br. 800 to transport the merchandises purchased on
January 2.
As you recall the term of agreement is FOB shipping, Shewa has to cover the fright cost and
records the transaction as follows.
2016
2 Inventory 800
Jan
Cash 800
(Payment for fright charges)
NB; what if the Agreement is FOB destination, if so the transportation cost is covered by the
seller as a result no record for transportation is maintained by Shewa Super Market.
A purchases return involves actually returning merchandise that is damaged or does not meet the
specifications of the order. The seller makes a price adjustment for the items returned, this is a
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purchases allowance. The sources document used to record purchase return allowance is debit
memorandum prepared by the buyer and approved by the seller.
NB: as you see from the above record, the amount of purchase on January 2, I.e 10,000 now is
decreased by Br. 2,000 because of the return. At the same time the amount owed to Alle Bjimlla
is also reduced by the same amount.
The presence of purchase discount is expressed on credit terms. The terms that describe when
payments for merchandise are to be made are called credit terms. In our case on transaction 1
above the credit term is expressed as 2/10, n/30. It is to mean that, 2% cash deduction is offered
by Alle if Shewa pays its bill within 10 days, if not Shewa can pay the net(the full bill) within 30
days. Therefore 2/10 represents the discount period, where as n/30 represents the credit period.
Alternatively a credit term can be expressed as 2/10, n/Eom, it is to mean that 2% discount is
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allowed if paid within 10 days If not pay the invoice price at the end of the month in which the
purchase made.
NB; if the term do not specify the discount period i.e n/30 0nly, this notifies the absence of
discount as a result Shewa has to pay the full invoice within the credit period.
Transaction 4. January 12. Shewa paid cash for the full settlement of the merchandise
purchased on January 2
Here the company is entitled to get 2% discount, since it paid within the discount period. As per
January 1, Shewa owed br. 10,000, but as a result of merchandise return on January 5, the
liability is reduced by Br. 2000. so the amount owed now is Br. 8, 000 out of which 2% is
deducted and the amount of cash required to settle the liability is Br. 7,840(8,000-(0.02*8,000).
the record is made as follows
What if Shewa makes payment on January 15, instead of January 12? Now no discount is given
to Shewa as a result Accounts payable is debited and cash is credited for br. 8000.
NB: Both Purchases discount and purchase return and allowance are a contra accounts to
purchases. As a result they have credit normal balance.
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Summary of Purchase Transactions
Assume that Shewa Super market has an inventory balance of Br. 1,200 on December 31, 2015,
at the end of the previous accounting period. The following summery is to show you how the
inventory system affects the company’s inventory balance even though the transactions result
similar effect on company’s inventory.
Inventory
Credit
Debit
Debit Jan1 Credit Jan1, 1,500
1,500
-
Jan2 10,000
Jan 2 800 2,000 Jan 5 Bal. Br.1,500
160 Jan12
Bal. Br.10,140
As you see from the above summery, the inventory account shows a balance of br. 1,500 under
periodic system and Br. 10,140 under perpetual system. Br. 1,500 represents the beginning
balance of inventory forwarded from the previous year. This is because periodic system does not
capture any event that changes the inventory balance. Unlike periodic system perpetual inventory
system keeps a continuous record of all events that affects inventory account. As a result an up to
date balance of inventor is presented in perpetual inventory system
NB: Based on the discussion we made above, you are clear about the unique accounts of
merchandising business. These are purchase, purchase discount, purchase return and allowance,
transportation in and inventory. The first four accounts only belong to the periodic inventory
system the last belongs to both periodic and perpetual system
Synopsis of Lecture
Sales of merchandise is the principal source of revenue for a merchandising business.
Perpetual or periodic inventory system is used to record merchandizing inventory
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Perpetual means a continuous record of inventory and determine up-to-date balance of
inventory on hand and cost of goods sold.
Accounts unique to a merchandising business are purchase, purchase discount, purchase
return and allowance and transportation in.
purchase discount, and purchase return and allowance are contra accounts to purchase,
Warp-up discussion questions
Explain the basic difference between periodic and perpetual inventory systems
Discuss the concept of cost flow assumption
Identify the normal balances of the unique accounts for a merchandising business
Next day’s assignment
Read about sales related transactions
Session 15 (Hr. 29 and 30)
Explain the recording of sales revenues under periodic and perpetual inventory system.
4.5. Recording Sales and Sales Related Transaction
Sales related transactions include the recording of transportation cost, Sales Return and
Allowance and Sales Discount. The following illustration explains each item and how to record
them using both periodic and perpetual inventory system.
Sales are an account used to record the total amount charged from customers for merchandise
sold. It is equivalent to the account Service Revenue we used in chapter 2 to record amount
charged for service delivered. Sales is a revenue account and has a credit normal balance.
Sales may be made on credit or for cash. A business document should support every sales
transaction, to provide written evidence of the sale. Cash register tapes provide evidence of cash
sales. A sales invoice, provides support for a credit sale.
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Illustration 4.2, Sales of merchandise on account and related transactions using both periodic
and perpetual inventory systems.
Shewa record this transaction as follows using Periodic and perpetual inventory system
a. Periodic
Date Account Title and Descriptions P/R Debit Credit
2016
4 Accounts Receivable 4,500
Jan
Sales 4,500
(Sales of Merchandise on account)
As you see from the above record if Shewa uses a periodic inventory system, makes only one
journal entry is required each sales transaction by increasing both Accounts Receivable and sales
accounts. No record is made for cost of goods sold. As a result the inventory account does not
show the balance of inventory on hand.
b. Perpetual
Date Account Title and Descriptions P/R Debit Credit
2016 4 Accounts receivable 4,500
Sales 4,500
(Sales of Merchandise on account)
As you see from the above tables, in the case of perpetual system. Shewa makes two entries for
each sale. The first entry records the sale. The seller increases (debits) Cash (or Accounts
Receivable, if a credit sale), and also increases (credits) Sales Revenue. The second entry records
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the cost of the merchandise sold. The seller increases (debits) Cost of Goods Sold, and also
decreases (credits) Inventory for the cost of those goods. As a result, the Inventory account will
show at all times the amount of inventory that should be on hand.
NB: Cost of Merchandise Sold the cost of merchandise sold is the cost of the merchandise sold
to customers.
As you recall from the previous discussion of illustration 1 above, the agreement now is FOB
destination so the transportation cost is covered by the seller i.e Shawa Super market. When the
seller pays the freight charges, it is considered as selling expenses.
Transaction 2 January 4 Shawa paid Br. 400 to transport the items sold to Melo Cafe
a. Periodic
b. perpetual
Look the record for transportation cost in the two inventory systems is similar. Because delivery
expense is an expanse account which do not affect inventory account.
The other name for delivery expense is transportation out or freight out. It has debit normal
balance and classified an expense incurred to sale more or it is selling expense.
Merchandise that is returned to the vendor due to defect in the product or the wrong item shipped
is referred to as a sales return. A price reduction made by the seller for the goods returned called
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sales allowance. The seller makes a price adjustment for the items returned called sales
allowance. It has a debit normal balance. The business document used to support sales return
and allowance is a credit memorandum.
Transaction 3. January 6 Shewa Super Market received merchandise returned Br. 500. The cost
of merchandise returned is br. 300. Shewa record the transaction as follows.
a. Periodic
2016
6 Sales return and allowance 500
Jan
Accounts Receivable 500
(receipt of Merchandise return)
The periodic inventory system records only the reduction in sales revenue. No entry is required
to record the change on inventory balance due to the return.
b. Perpetual
Like the record for sale recording sales return and allowance needs two entries the first to record
the reduction on sales revenue which is made by increasing (debiting) Sales Return and
Allowance and decreasing (crediting) Accounts Receivable. The second entry is to record
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increase in inventory account which is made by (debiting) Inventory account and decreasing
(crediting) cost of goods sold
Recording Sales Discount:-A cash discount granted by the seller to customers for prompt
payment of amounts owed.
Here Shewa is required to make a 1% discount on the invoice price, as the amount is collected
within the discount period. As per transaction 1, Shewa has a receivable balance of br. 4,500, but
as a result of merchandise return on January 6, the receivable is reduced by Br. 500. So the
amount expected to be collected is Br. now is Br. 4,000 out of which 1% is deducted and the
amount of cash left for collection is Br. 3,960(4,000-(0.01*4,000). the record is made as follows.
What if the amount is collected on January 15 instead of January 13. No Sales discount is given
as a result Shewa debit cash for Br. 4000 and credit Accounts receivable for the same account.
NB: Both Sales Return and Allowance and sales discount are contra accounts to Sales. So they
have debit normal balance.
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Cash 800 cash 800
Accounts
Accounts Receivable 500 Receivable 500
6 Inventory 300
Cost o Goods sold 300 NO ENTRY
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Perpetual Inventory system Inventory
Inventory
Credit
Credit Debit
Debit Jan1
Jan1, 1,500
1,500 -
Jan2 10,000 3,000 Jan4
Bal. Br.7,440
Synopsis of Lecture
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Session 16 (Hr. 31 and 32)
Explain the recording of sales revenues under periodic and perpetual inventory system.
At the end of the accounting period Shewa is required to make physical count of inventories to
determine the cost of inventory that are actually found on hand. If the company uses perpetual
inventory system the count balance is compared with the inventory account balance of the
record. Whenever there is a deference between the two balance, Shewa needs to record adjusting
entry that make the record balance similar to the physical count. The following illustration shows
you how to adjust the balance of inventory account in the case of perpetual inventory system
Illustration 4.4. Assume that the physical count of inventory made by Shewa supermarket on
January 31 indicates the balance of inventory on hand is Br. 7,400.
As you see the actual inventory balance i.e 7,400 is less than the record balance displayed on
the summery above i.e br. 7,440 by Br 40. This is because of two basic reasons. One the record
balance includes inventories lost due to damages, breakages and thefts whereas the physical
count excludes them. Second there may be errors while recording transactions that affects
inventory. Any ways, Shewa has to pass one of the following adjusting entries to make the
record agreed with the count.
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As you see from the above tables the inventory account is reduced (credited) by Br. 40, this
makes the record inventory balance equal with the actual inventory balance i.e br.7, 400.
If Shewa uses periodic inventory system, the counted balance of inventory is the only
information that is available to update the inventory balance on the record. As a result Shewa
needs to record two adjusting journal entries. The first to remove the beginning inventory
balance and the second to insert (substitute) the ending inventory found through physical count.
Illustration 4.5 shows how to adjust the balance of inventory account in the case of periodic
inventory system. Consider the information on illustration 4.4 above, i.e the actual balance of
inventory on hand is br. 7,400. Shewa needs to record two adjusting entry as follows
After recording and posting the two adjusting entries the balance on the inventory account is
updated and reflects the actual balance of inventory on hand at the end of the year.
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Inventory Inventory
Credit
Debit Jan1 Credit
1,500 - Debit
Jan1, 1,500
Jan2 10,000 3,000 Jan4
Bal. Br.1,500
Jan 2 800 2,000 Jan 5
Jan 31 7400 1500 Jan 31
Jan 6 300 160 Jan12
Bal. Br. 7,400
Bal. Br. 7,440 40 Jan 31
NB: look both periodic and perpetual inventory systems reflect the same inventory balance after
adjustment.
NB:_ Illustration 4.4 and 4.5 above tries to show you how to record the unique transactions of
the merchandizing business. Here be wise to take a time to re-read the concepts and to practice
the illustration. Do not proceed to the next discussion until you fill confidence on your ability to
record the transactions well.
When the unique transaction are clear for you, the question immediately comes to your mind is
that, is the above events are the only business transactions for a merchandizing businesses? A
merchandising business also involves lots of transaction other than the above but not included in
the illustration. These transactions not included here are the transactions which are totally similar
with the transactions you have discussed in chapter 2. It might include purchase of supplies or
equipment, payment of salary or rent, owners investment or drawing etc, are also available for a
merchandizing businesses. All this transactions are treated in similar way like we did in chapter
2. Now we can proceeds to the next activity i.e completion of the accounting cycle.
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Synopsis of Lecture
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Prepare adjusting and entries for a merchandising business
Prepare post closing trial balance
Prepare reversing entry(optional step)
Completion of the cycle is a yearend operation, which is done for the preparation of financial
statement. The completion process is started after all transactions are recorded, posted and
presented on the trial balance. Like a service giving company merchandising business involves
the following completion activities.
The following illustration shows how to complete the accounting cycle for a particular a
merchandizing business
Illustration 4.7. The following unadjusted trial balance belongs to Shewa Super Market for year
ended December 31.
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Shewa Supermarket
Trial Balance
December 31,2016
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Utilities Expense 1,000
Total 194,500 194,500
a. Work Sheet
b. Prepare financial statement
a. Income statement
b. Statements of owners equity
c. Statements of financial position
c. Record and post adjusting entries
d. Recording and posting closing entries
e. Prepare post closing trial balance
f. Reversing entry
ii. Work sheet
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Work Sheet
Total 194,500 194500 7,500 7,500 199,500 199500 92,100 115,000 107,400 84,500
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Net Income 22,900 22,900
The multiple-step statement is so named because it shows several steps in determining net
income. A multiple-step statement also distinguishes between operating and non operating
activities. Finally, the statement also highlights intermediate components of income and shows
sub groupings of expenses.
A multiple statement starts with presenting sales revenues. This section determines the amount of
Net Sales by deducting Sales from Sales Discount and Sales Return and Allowance. The next
section of the statement determines Gross Profit by deducting Costs of Goods Sold from Net
Sales. Then Operating Income is determined by deducting total Operating Expenses from Gross
Profit. Finally non operating income is added and non operating expenses are deducted from
Operating income to determine Net Income or net loss for the period. Illustration 4.8 presents a
multiple step income statement as follows:
Shewa Supermarket
Sales Revenues
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Net Sales 95,500
Operating Expenses
The following items are categorized under other income and gains:
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The following items are categorized under other expense and losses:
Shewa Supermarket
Statements of profit or Loss and other Comprehensive Income
For the Year ended December 31,2016
Revenues
Other revenue 0
Expenses
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The definition and the way of preparing owners equity is totally similar with the owners equity
statement of a service giving business, one you have learned in chapter 1 and chapter 2. So
please turn back and revise it again. Illustration 4.9 presents statements of owner’s equity as
follows.
Shewa Supermarket
The definition and the way of preparing statements of financial position is totally similar
with the service giving business, one you have learned in chapter 1 and chapter 2. So please
turn back and revise it again. Illustration 4.9 presents statements of owner’s equity as
follows. Illustration 4.10 presents the statements of financial position as follows.
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Shewa Supermarket
Asset
Equipment 49,300
Cash 11,800
Total Current Asset 53,200
Total Asset Br.93,500
Owners Equity
Enkopa’s Capital 79,500
Liabilities
Notes Payable Br. 7,000
Accounts Payable 5,200
Salary Payable 1,500
Interest Payable 300
Total Liabilities 14,000
Total Equity and liabilities Br.93,500
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iv. Recording Adjusting Entries
Adjusting Entries
Closing Entries
Date Account Title and Descriptions P/R Debit Credit
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Supplies Expense 700
Insurance Expense 1,800
Depreciation Expense 3,200
Interest Expense 300
(Closing Expense Accounts)
Shewa Supermarket
December 31,2016
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Reversing Entry
Accrued salary and accrued interest results a liability on the financial Position Statement of
Shewa Super Market. The company might have two options to treat those liabilities resulted
from yearend adjustment. That is either to keep these liabilities until the actual payment date or
avoid the liabilities from the recording of the subsequent period. If the company prefers the
second option a reversing entry is required to be recorded on the first day of the new accounting
period. Reversing entries are the exact reverse of adjusting entries made. Reversing entries are
made at the first date of the new accounting period. as a result reversing accounts is an optional
step in completion of accounting cycle.
2017
1 Salary payable 1,500
Jan
Salary Expense 1,500
1. If the supplies account, before adjustment on May 31, indicated a balance of Br. 2,250
and an inventory of supplies on hand at May 31, totaled Br.950, the adjusting entry would
be:
e. Debit Supplies Br.950, credit Supplies Expense Br. 950
f. Debit Supplies Br. 1,300, credit Supplies Expense Br. 1,300
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g. Debit Supplies Expense Br. 950, credit supplies Br. 950
h. Debit supplies expense, Br. 1,300, credit Supplies Br, 1,300
3. If the estimated amount of deprecation on equipment for a period is Br. 2,000, the
adjusting entry to record deprecation would be:
a. Debit Depreciation Expense, Br. 2,000, credit Equipment Br. 2,000
b. Debit Equipment, Br. 2,000, credit Depreciation Expense, Br. 2,000
c. Debit Deprecation Expense, Br. 2,000, credit Accumulated Depreciation, Br.
2,000
d. Debit Accumulated Depreciation, Br. 2,000, credit Deprecation Expense Br.
2,000
4. If the equipment account has a balance of Br. 22,500 and its accumulated deprecation
account has a balance of Br. 14,000, the book value of equipment is:
a. Br. 36,500 c. Br. 14, 000
b. Br. 22,500 d. Br. 8,500
5. Which of the following account would be closed to the income summery account at the
end of a period?
a. Sales c. Both sales and salary expense
b. Salary Expense d. Neither sales nor salary Expense
6. The post closing trial balance would include which of the following account
a. Cash c. salary Expense
b. Sales d. All of the above
7. If merchandise purchased on account is returned, the buyer may inform the selle of the
details by issuing
a. debit memorandum c. an invoice
b. a credit memorandum d. a bill
8. If merchandise is sold on account to a customer for Br. 1,000, terms FOB shipping Point,
1/10, n/30, and the seller prepays Br. 50 in transaction costs, the amount of the discount
for early payments would be:
a. Br. 0 c. Br. 10
b. Br. 5 d. 10.50
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9. For a business using a periodic inventory system, which of the following is added to
merchandising inventory at the beginning of the period in computing the cost of
mechanizing available for sale?
a. Purchase discount c. Ending Merchandising inventor
b. Purchase returns and allowance d. Fright out
ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEM
Discount supermarket entered in to the following selected transactions during August of the
current year.
August 1 purchased merchandise on account, terms 2/10, n/30, FOB shipping point, Br. 28,500.
7, Sold merchandise on account, terms 1/10, n/30, FOB destination, Br. 12,400
14, Purchased merchandise n account, terms 4/14, n/30, FOB shipping point Br.18,300 with
prepaid transportation costs of Br.750 added to the invoice.
17, Received cash on account from sale of August 7, less returns and discount.
18, Sold merchandise on account, terms, 1/10, n/20 FOB shipping point Br.8,800. prepaid
transportation costs as an accommodation for the customer Br. 250.
29, Paid for merchandise purchased on august 14, less returns and discount.
31, Received cash on account from sale of August 18, Br. 9,050.
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Instructions
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CHAPTER FIVE
ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS
Learning Objectives:
The accounting system collects and processes transaction data and communicates financial
information to decision makers. The system will vary from business to business, because of the
differences in the nature and size of business, the number of transactions to be processed, etc.
Regardless of these variations an accounting system is normally supported by either manual or
computerized operations. This chapter deals about the basic principles of an accounting system
and the tools used to implement the system.
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As a business exhibits expansion and growth, its accounting system is required to be redesigned
in a way that accommodates the information requirement of the business. There are three-step in
designing an accounting system. process these are:
Analysis the information need enables to determine the information requirement of a particular
company and to identify the gap of the existing system. On the base of this requirement and the
gap identified the accounting system is designed. The design is made using a basic manual
system that included a chart of accounts, a two-column journal, and a general ledger. Finally, the
designed system is implemented to record transactions and prepares financial statements. Once a
system has been implemented, feedback,or input, from users is used to analyze and improve the
system.
Efficient and effective accounting systems is designed and implemented in a way that fulfills the
basic principles of cost-effectiveness, usefulness, and flexibility of information produced.
Flexibility: - The accounting system should accommodate a variety of users and changing
information needs. The system should be sufficiently flexible to meet the resulting changes in the
demands made upon it.
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Internal controls and information processing methods are essential in an accounting system. The
designed accounting system has to work smoothly with the internal control elements of a
particular company. The system is required to strengthen the internal control and catalyze the
smooth implementation of the control activity.
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should be accounted for and promptly forward source documents for accounting
department.
- Physical controls:- relate to the safeguarding of assets and enhance the accuracy
of the accounting records, using safe volts, passwords, locks etc.
- Independent internal verification:- verify records periodically, reconcile it with
the existing assets by an independent employee. Eg, compare the cash balance of
the record with the actual cash available.
- Human resource controls:- involves making a good background check of
employees, rotating the employee from one task to another and obtaining
insurance protection to employees against theft,
Information and communication. The internal control system must capture and
communicate all pertinent information both down and up the organization, as well as
communicate information to appropriate external parties.
Monitoring. Internal control systems must be monitored periodically for their adequacy.
Significant deficiencies need to be reported to top management and/or the board of
directors.
5.3. Manual and computerized accounting system and enterprise resource planning
In prior chapters, the transactions for Enkopa Company were manually recorded in an all-
purpose (two-column) general journal. The journal entries were then posted individually tothe
accounts in the ledger. Such a system is simple to use and easy to understand when there are a
small number of transactions. However, when a business has a large number of similar
transactions, using an all-purpose journal is inefficient and impractical. For example, in a given
day, a company might earn service fees on account from 100 customers. Recording each fee
earned by debiting Accounts Receivable and crediting Service fee would be inefficient. Also, a
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record of the amount each customer owes must be kept. In such cases, subsidiary ledgers and
special journals are useful.
Computerized accounting systems are widely used by even the smallest of companies.
Computerized accounting systems have the following three main advantages over manual
systems:
NB: Dear Students you will discuss and practice the detail application of computerized recording
on your advanced accounting course named “Computerized Accounting”.
A large number of individual accounts with a common characteristic can be grouped together in
a separate ledger called a subsidiary ledger. The primary ledger, which contains all of the
balance sheet and income statement accounts, is then called the general ledger. Each subsidiary
ledger is represented in the general ledger by a summarizing account, called a controlling
account. The sum of the balances of the accounts in a subsidiary ledger must equal the balance
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of the related controlling account. Thus, a subsidiary ledger is a secondary ledger that supports a
controlling account in the general ledger. Two of the most common subsidiary ledgers are as
follows:
1. Accounts receivable subsidiary ledger:- collects transaction data for individual customer
The accounts receivable subsidiary ledger, or customer’s ledger, lists the individual customer
accounts in alphabetical order. The controlling account in the general ledger that summarizes the
debits and credits to the individual customer accounts is Accounts Receivable. The accounts
payable subsidiary ledger, or creditor’s ledger, lists individual creditor accounts in alphabetical
order. The related controlling account in the general ledger is Accounts Payable.
To illustrate assume that the account receivable general ledger of a ZZ Company shows a
balance of Br.20, 000 as of September 30, 2016. The company has four credit customers
namely Mr. A Mr. B and Mr. C each owed Br. 2,000, Br. 9,500, and Br. 8,500 respectively. The
following are to illustrate how the customer ledger captures the credit history of individual
customers and how it is controlled by the general ledger.
Mr. A
Date Item p/r Debit Credit Balance
2016sept. 14 5,000 5,000
3,000 2, 000
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Mr. B
Mr. C
As you see there are three customer ledgers (subsidiary ledger) opened by the name of each
customers and one general ledger (controlling ledger) opened by the name of an account called
“Accounts Receivable”. The sum of the ending balance of the three subsidiary ledger (Br. 2,000
+ 9,500 + 8,500) exactly equal with the balance in general ledger of account receivable (Br.
20,000).
NB; the number of subsidiary ledgers is increased by an increase in number of credit customer.
Synopsis of Lecture
System analysis, system design and implementation are the tree steps in changing an
accounting system.
Cost-effectiveness, usefulness, and flexibility is the basic principle for the accounting
system design.
Ledgers opened by the name of individual customers or credits is a subsidy ledgers
A ledger that controls the subsidiary ledgers is referred to as a general ledger.
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Wrap –Up Discussion Question
Discussion issues
One method of processing data more efficiently in a manual accounting system is to expand the
all-purpose two-column journal to a multicolumn journal. Each column in a multicolumn journal
is used only for recording transactions that affect a certain account. For example, a special
column could be used only for recording debits to the cash account. Likewise, another special
column could be used only for recording credits to the cash account. The addition of the two
special columns would eliminate the writing of Cash in the journal for every receipt and every
payment of cash. Also, there would be no need to post each individual debit and credit to the
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cash account. Instead, the Cash Dr. and Cash Cr. columns could be totaled periodically and only
the totals posted. In a similar way, special columns could be added for recording credits to
Service Fees, debits and credits to Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable, and for other
entries that are repeated.
An all-purpose multicolumn journal may be adequate for a small business that has many
transactions of a similar nature. However, a journal that has many columns for recording many
different types of transactions is impractical for larger businesses. The next logical extension of
the accounting system is to replace the single multicolumn journal with several special journals.
Each special journal is designed to be used for recording a single kind of transaction that occurs
frequently. Most transactions of merchandise for example, fall in to four groups i.e sales on
account, purchase on account, cash receipt and cash disbursements etc. To record each
transaction types the following four special journals are used.
Sales Journal
Sales journal is used only for recording sales of merchandise on account; sales of merchandise
for cash are recorded in the cash receipt journal. Sales of non merchandise assets are recorded in
the cash receipt journal or the general journal depending on whether the sales is made on account
or for cash. Illustration 5.2, below sows the general format for sales journal.
Sales Journal
As you see from the above format, there is one amount column to record a debit to accounts
receivable and credit sales. This mean an amount inters on the column represents both increase in
an asset and revenue account resulted from sale. If the company uses general journal it requires
two amount columns to record accounts receivable and sales separately. In addition recording
each sale requires at least three rows to write (1) Account Receivable, (2) Sales (3) brief
description of the transaction in a general journal but only one raw in special journal.
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Using sales journal saves the time and space of posting, because only the total amount of sales is
posted to the sales ledger in the case of sales journal. But in general journal sales is posted
individuals to the sales ledger.
NB: the 2nd column named “Accounts debited” used to insert the name of credit customer.
Purchase Journal
All purchases made on account are recorded in purchase journal using a special column named
purchase debit. Cash purchases would be recorded in the cash payments journal. Purchase of
Supplies, equipment and other plant assets also recorded in purchase journal general columns
other than the special column. Illustration 5.3, shows the general format for Purchase Journal.
Purchase Journal
As the above illustration shows you a typical purchase journal having two special columns and
one general column. The special columns represent Purchase debit and Accounts Payable credit
serves to record the most frequent transaction of purchase of merchandise. The general column
“other account debited” used to record purchase of supplies or equipments on account. All the
accounts in special journal are posted in total, where as all accounts in general column is posted
individually to their respective ledgers.
NB: Accounts credited column used to list the names of those businesses and individuals who
offered credit to the company.
All transactions that increase the amount of cash are recorded in cash receipt journal. In a typical
merchandising business, the most frequent source of cash receipt is likely to be cash sales and
collection from customers on account. Illustration 5.4 below shows the general format for cash
receipt journal.
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Cash Receipt Journal
As of the above illustration cash receipt journal has two special columns used to record Accounts
receivables and Cash. Only one column entitled other account credit used to record receipts other
than collection from credit customers. Accounts in the special column are posted tin total where
as accounts in general column is posted individually.
All transactions that involve the payment of cash are recorded in a cash payments journal. The
kinds of transactions in which cash is paid and how often they occur determine the titles of the
other columns Thus; the cash payments journal has two special columns named Accounts
Payable debit and Cash credit. Illustration 5.5 shows you the general format for cash payments
journal.
The above special journal has two special columns to record a reduction in both Accounts
Payable and Cash. So the special column used to record payment of cash for purchase of
merchandise on account. The general column other account debit is used to record cash
payments for expenses or purchase of assets like inventories, equipment etc.
A voucher system is any system that gives documentary proof and written authorization for
business transaction. It consists of procedures for systematically gathering, recording, and paying
a company’s expenditure. Goal of voucher system is to exercise tightest possible control over
expenditure. For maintaining effective control the system separate the responsibility of
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Authorization for expenditure form receipts of goods, Validating liability and payment of
liability.
Under the voucher system, every liability must be recorded as soon as it is incurred. A written
authorization, called a voucher, is prepared for each future expenditure, and checks are written
only for approved vouchers. In large companies, the duties of authorizing expenditure, verifying
receipts, recording liability and issuing check are divided among different people. A voucher is a
written authorization for each expenditure. A separate voucher is attached to each bill as it
comes in and it is given an identification number.
Recording the Voucher: - All approved vouchers should be recorded in the voucher register.
Vouchers that do not have appropriate approval or supporting documents should be investigated
immediately. If the net method were used, the purchase would be recorded at the net purchase
price after deducting the anticipated discount.
Paying the Voucher:- After a voucher has been recorded, it is placed in an unpaid voucher file.
Many companies file the vouchers by due date and by vendor (Supplier) within due date, so that
checks can be drown each day to cover all vouchers due on that day. In this way, all discounts
for prompt payments can be taken. After payments vouchers are filled by voucher number.
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On the date voucher is due, a check accompanied by the voucher and supporting documents, is
presented to the individual authorized to sign checks. Based on this information a schedule for
unpaid voucher is prepared.
Posting the Voucher and Check Registers:- Posting the voucher and check registers is very
similar to posting the purchase journal and cash payment journal. The only difference is that the
Voucher payable account is substituted for accounts payable.
Summarizing unpaid vouchers:- At any time, the sum of the vouchers in the unpaid vouchers
file should equal the credit balance of the vouchers payable account. At the end of each
accounting period, the unpaid vouchers file should be totaled to prove the balance of the
vouchers payable account.
The voucher system not only provides effective accounting controls but also aids management in
discharging other responsibilities, for example the voucher system gives grater assurance at all
payments is in settlement of valid liabilities. In addition current information is always available
for use in determining future cash requirement. This in turn enables management to make the
best use of the resources. Invoices on which cash discount are allowed can be paid within a
discount period and other vouchers can be paid on the final date of the credit period, thus reduce
costs and maintaining a favorable credit standing.
Synopsis of Lecture
Special journal is used for recording a single kind of transaction that occurs frequently.
Special journal includes, Sales journal, purchase Journal, Cash receipt and cash payment
Journals.
A voucher system is any system that gives documentary proof and written authorization
for business transaction.
The five steps to implement a voucher system are, preparation of the voucher, recording
the voucher, paying the voucher, posting the voucher and check registers, Summarizing
unpaid voucher.
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Wrap –Up Discussion Question
1. The detailed procedure used by management to direct operations to the enterprise goals can be
archived are termed:
a. Internal controls c. System design
b. System analysis d. System implementation
2. a payments of cash for the purchase of merchandise would be recorded in the:
a. Purchase journal c. Sales journal
b. Cash payments journal d. Cash receipt journal
3. A voucher system is requires all vouchers for purchase to be recorded in a net amount, and a
purchases is made for Br. 500 on account terms 1/10, n/30
a. purchases would be debited for Br, 495 to record the purchases
b. Discount lose would be debited for Br. 5 if the voucher is not paid within discount period
c. If the voucher is not paid until the discount the discount period is expired, the discount lost
would be reported as an expense on income statement
d. All of the above
4. when there is a large number of individual accounts with a common characteristics, it is
common to place them in a separates ledger called a:
a. Subsidiary ledger c. accounts payable ledger
b. Creditors Ledger d. Accounts receivable ledger
5. the controlling account in the general ledger that summarizes the debit and the credits to
individual customers account in the subsidiary ledger is entitles:
a. Accounts Payable c. Sales
b. Accounts receivable d. Purchases
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6. the voucher system is strengthen internal control requiring that a voucher be prepared to
authorize payment on liability at the time that the liability is
a. Paid c. Planned
b. incurred d. Audited
ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEM
a. may 1, issued a check no. 1001 for payment of rent for may
b. May 2, purchased merchandise on account from McMillan Co. terms 2/10, n/30. fob
shipping point Br, 3,600.
c. may 7, issued check number 1003 in payment of transaction charges on merchandising
purchased on may 2, Br.320
d. may 8, sold merchandise on account to waller Inc. Invoice no 51, terms 1/10, n/eom, fob
shipping point Br. 4500.
e. may 9 Issued check no 1005 for office supplies purchased Br, 450.
f. May 10, received cash from office supplies sold to employee at cost Br. 120
g. May 11, purchased office Equipment on account from Fender Office Product Br, 15,000
h. May, 12, Issued credit memorandum No. 801 for Br.400 to waller inc. for merchandise
returned
i. may 12, issued check no 1010 in payment of merchandise purchased from McMillan Co.
on may 2, less discount Br, 3,528.
j. May 16, sold merchandise on account to ripe co, invoice no.58. terms 1/10, n/30, fob
shipping point Br. 8,000
k. may 18, received Br.4,059 from waller Inc. in payment of may 8 purchase, less return on
may 12 and discount.
l. May 20, issued additional capital stock for Br. 100,000
m. may25, sold merchandise for cash br. 15,900
n. may 31, recorded adjusting entry for the work sheet prepared for the fiscal year ended
may 31.
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Merry Co. maintains a purchase journal, a cash payments journal, a sales journal a cash
receipt journal and a general journal. in addition the account receivable and account payable
ledgers are used.
Instruction
1. Indicate the journal entry in which each of the preceding transaction (a) through (n)
would be recorded.
2. Indicate whether an account is the account receivable or the account payable subsidy
ledger would be affected for each of the preceding ding transactions
3. Record transaction b,c,d,h,I, and k in the appropriate journal.
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CHAPTER SIX
In small businesses the owner may be able to control the entire operations through personal
supervision and direct participation in its activity. However as a business grows higher and
higher it becomes difficult to actively participate in routine operations and maintain adequate
control. At this point it becomes necessary to delegate authorized persons and design a reliable
internal control system over the business resources. The nature and extent of control might vary
resources to recourse. For instance liquid assets like cash and receivables need strict internal
control system compared with assets which are less liquid. This is due to the highest venerability
of these assets for misuses and theft. In this chapter unit we will discusses internal control over
cash.
Learning Objectives:
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Session 24 (Hr. 47 and 48)
Discussion issues
Reading Text
Cash is the most liquid asset that can easily convertible to any other type of asset. Cash consists
of coins, currency (paper money), checks, money orders, and money on hand or on deposit in a
bank or similar depository institutions.
Cash is a medium of exchange and is used to measure the value of other assets. Majority of the
business transactions involves cash; this makes cash the most repeatedly used account in the
recording system. These in tail increase the probability of making recording error compare with
other accounts used in the recording system. In addition Money is light in weight and heavy in
value. Anybody can easily pick and use it unless there is a strong control preventive mechanism.
Because of the ease with which money can be transferred, cash is the asset most likely to be
diverted and used improperly by employees. In addition, many transactions either directly or
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indirectly affect the receipt or payment of cash. It is therefore necessary that cash can be
effectively safeguarded by special controls.
In general speaking cash is an asset account which is highly exposed to embezzlements and
misuse. As a result it is crustal to establish and exercise a strong internal procedure control over
cash.
The individual who receive cash should not disburse (pay) cash.
The individual who handle cash should not make the accounting records.
Cash receipts are immediately recorded and deposited and are not used directly to make
payments.
All mail receipts should be opened by more than one mail clerk and endorsed with “only
for Deposit” stamp
Cash disbursements should be made by serially numbered check, only up on proper
authorization by somebody other than the person writing the check.
Bank accounts should be reconciled monthly with a employee who has no other
responsibility pertaining to cash
Using a petty cash fund for small payments.
6.3.1 Control of Cash through Bank Account
Using bank account is one of the most important mechanisms to control cash. To get an effective
control over cash all receipts must be deposited in the bank account and all cash payments should
be made through check. Banks provide physical protection for cash and maintain separate
records of transactions which belong to cash.
Once a company starts using bank accounts, the bank sends a monthly bank statement to the
depositor. Bank statement is a bank report or a copy of banks record sent to a customer. if you or
your family members have current account you can see the following information on it.
i. an opening or beginning cash balance, the balance of cash brought from the previous
month
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ii. checks paid and other debits (such as debit card transactions or direct withdrawals for bill
payments) that reduce the balance in the depositor’s account,
iii. Deposits and other credits that increase the balance in the depositor’s account, and
iv. The account balance after each day’s transactions.
A bank statement is accompanied by checks paid, debit and credit memorandum. Debit memos
describe the amount and nature of decreases in the company’s cash with the bank. It includes
bank service charge, fund transfers etc. Credit memorandums inform the increase in the cash
balance of the depositor. It includes collection of notes receivables, fund transfers etc
This bank statement is used to check whether the cash balance on the bank account agrees with
the balance on the accounting record. If there is difference the company accountant finds out
the reason and reconciles the two balances.
NB: a bank credits customer’s account for every deposit. As a result deposits are considered as a
liability for the bank. Banks debits customers account for every payments, because payment
reduces the banks liability.
Balance of cash as per the bank record seldom agrees with the balance of cash as per the
depositor because of two reasons i.e time lags and errors made by either party. Time lags prevent
one of the parties from recording the transaction in the same day as the other party and result
different cash balance. For example deposit in transit and outstanding check. In addition to the
difference, both balances are different from the “correct” or “true” balance. Therefore, it is
necessary to make the balance per books and the balance per bank agree with the correct or true
amount i.e. a process called reconciling the bank account.
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Synopsis of lecture
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Reading Text
Bank reconciliation should be a routine monthly activity that has to goes in line with the
company’s internal control procedures. The activity should be undertaken by a designated
employee who is free from other responsibilities related to cash.
The starting point in preparing the reconciliation is to enter the balance per bank statement and
the balance per books on the reconciliation schedule. The company then makes various
adjustments as per the following step.
1. Step 1. Deposit in transit:- Deposits recorded by the depositor that have not been
recorded by the bank are the deposits in transit. Add these deposits to the balance per
bank. This is made by comparing the deposit lists of the depositor with the deposit list
shown in the bank statement.
2. Step 2. Outstanding Check:-Issued checks recorded by the company but that have not
yet been paid by the bank are outstanding checks. Deduct outstanding checks from the
balance per bank. This is made by comparing the list of checks paid by the bank with the
same list in cash payment journal of the company.
3. Step 3. Bank Errors:- any error made by the bank and discovered in the foregoing steps
are included in the schedule. An error which overstates the cash balance is deducted
where as an error which understates the cash balance is added to the balance as per the
bank. For example if a bank paid a check for Br. 547 and incorrectly record it as Br.574.
Here the bank understates cash balance by Br. 27 (547-574) and this amount is added to
the cash balance as per the bank. What if it is incorrectly recorded as Br. 457 instead of
Br. 574? Now the error overeats the cash balance for br. 90 (547-457) the amount is
deducted from the bank balance.
4. Step 4.Bank credit memorandum:- collection of notes receivables and other fund
transfers made by the bank on behalf of the depositor. List all credit memos and add
them to the cash balance as per the book.
5. Step 5. Bank Debit memorandum: -Banks charge a monthly fee for their services called
service charge. The bank also sends with the statement a debit memorandum explaining
the charge noted on the statement. Other debit memoranda may also be issued for other
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bank services such as the cost of printing checks, issuing traveler’s checks, and wiring
funds to other locations. List all the debit memos and deduct them from the cash balance
as per the Book.
6. Step 6.Charges for depositing NSF- Checks:- When checks are deposited in an
account, the banks generally gives the deposit immediate credit. On occasions, one of
these checks may prove to be uncollectable because the maker of the check does not have
sufficient funds in his or her account. in such cases the bank will reduce the depositor’s
balance by the amount of the uncollectable item and return that check to the depositor
marked NSF. Deduct the amount of the NSF check from the cash balance as per the book.
7. Step 7. Depositor Error:- Any error made by the depositor is added or deducted from
the cash balance as per the book, in the same we made for bank error of step 3.
8. Step 8.Prove the equality of the adjusted cash balances as per the bank and as per the
book.
9. Step 9.Prepare adjusting entries to record those items which are not yet recorded by
the depositor.
Illustration of Bank Reconciliation
Enkopa Company is a customer of Dashin Bank Sc. The company received bank statements for
the month November 31, 2016. The statement shows cash balance of Br. 23,932.50 at the end of
the month. The balance of cash as per the company record is Br. 27, 220.50. The comparison of
the statement with the cash account reviled the following reconciling items.
1. A debit memorandum for Br. 30 for bank service charge accompanied the statement.
2. The following checks issued in November are not yet paid by the bank.
Ck No. CD 232425 Br . 762
Ck No CD 231429 Br., 930
3. Cash payment made for Br. 250 is incorrectly recorded as Br. 205 on the cash payment
journal. The payment is for purchase of supplies made on account.
4. A deposit of Br. 5,800 made after banking hour is not appearing on the bank statement.
5. A credit memorandum for br. 2,200 is accompanied the statement for the collection of
notes receivable
6. On November 30, the bank statement showed an “NSF” chares of Br. 1,100 for a check
issued by a customer on account.
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Enkopa Company
No.232425 762
Adjusting entry is necessary to update cash balance as per the book. As you see from the above
schedule the company did not record collection of notes receivable, payments for service fee.
More over the company did not record the check returned for NSF and the error made by the
company accountant. As a result the company records the following four adjusting entries to
update cash balance.
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Account Title and
Date P/R Debit Credit
Descriptions
2016 30 Cash 2,000
Notes Receivable 2,000
Recording Bank Collection
30 Administrative Expense 35
Cash 35
Recording bank service
charge
30 Accounts Receivable 1,100
Cash 1,100
Recording NSF
30 Account Payable 45
Cash 45
.Internal Control over Cash Receipts
Retile businesses normally receive cash from two main sources (1) Over the counter from the
customers (2) By mall from charge customers making payments on account. At the end of the
business day, each sales clerk counts the cash in the assigned cash drawer and records on a
memorandum form. An employee from the cashers department removes the cash register tape on
which total receipts were recorded for each cash drawer, count the cash and compare the total
with the memorandum and the tape and forwarded to the accounting department, where they
become the basis for entries in the cash receipt Journal.
The employees who open incoming mail compare the amount of cash received with the amount
shown on the accompanying remittance advice to be certain that the two amounts agree. If there
is no separate remittance advice, an employee prepares one of the form designed for such use.
All cash received usually in the form of check and money order sent to the cashers department,
where it is combined with receipts from cash sales and a deposit ticket is prepared. The
remittance advice is delivered to the accounting department, where they become the basis for
entries for cash receipt journal and for posting to the customer account subsidiary ledger.
Duplicate deposit ticket, or other bank receipt forms obtained by the casher are sent to the
controller or other financial officer, who compare the total amount with that reported by the
accounting department as a total debit to cash in bank for the period.
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Cash Short and Over
The amount of cash actually received during a day often does not agree with the record of cash
receipt. Whenever there is the difference between the recorded and the actual cash and no error
can be forum on the record, it must be assumed that the mistake occur in making change. The
cash sort or over account is recorded in accounting title. a common method for handling such
mistake to record it as a debit to cash sort and over account whenever there is shortage and credit
cash short and over account whenever there is cash excess.
If there is a debit balance in the cash short and over account at the end of the fiscal year, it is
expense and may be presented in the other expense and loss section of the income statement. If
there is a credit balance, it is revenue and may be listed in the other income and gain account
section of the income statement.
Retail stores and other business is that receive cash directly from customers must maintain a fund
if currency and coins in order to make change. The fund may be stabilized by drawing a check
for the required amount – Debiting Cash on hand and Crediting cash in bank. No additional
change or credit to cash on hand at the end of each business day, the total amount of cash
received during the day is deposited and the original amount of the cash change fund is
maintained. Exchanging bills or coins maintain the desired composition of the fund for those of
other denomination at the bank.
Synopsis of lecture
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Wrap-up discussion questions
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6.5 Internal Control over Cash Payments
Control over cash payments involves two mechanisms, i.e the voucher system and petty cash
handling system. The voucher system is one of the best systems that control disbursements. A
voucher system is made up of records, methods and procedures used in proving and recording
liabilities and in making and recording cash payment. A voucher system uses (1) Voucher, (2) A
voucher register, (3) a file for unpaid voucher, (4) a check register and a file for unpaid voucher.
dear students the full discussion for voucher system is included in the previous chapter ( Chapter
5) and refer that for your understanding.
As you recalled from the above discussion, controlling cash through bank account is effective
when “all payments” are made through check. However, using checks to pay small amounts is
both impractical and a costly to a company. For example, writing a check to pay a Br. 5 taxi
fare, or a br. 10 daily labor fee. A better way to handle such small payments is establishing a
petty cash fund.
A petty cash fund is a special cash fund proposed to cover many small payments for a period of
two or three weeks. The operation of a petty cash fund, often called an imprest system, involves
(1) establishing the fund, (2) making payments from the fund, and (3) replenishing the fund.
Illustration assume that on august 10, 2016, Loin Company decides to establish a petty cash fund
and writes a check of Br. 500. The following is the journal entry to record the establishment of a
petty cash fund.
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Date Account Title and Descriptions P/R Debit Credit
2016
10 Petty Cash 500
August
Cash 500
recording establishment of petty cash
The custodian cashed the check, put in on safe custody or a petty cash box and then makes
payment from the fund for authorized purpose only.
NB: The Company will make no additional entries to the Petty Cash account unless management
changes the maximum amount of the established fund. For example if Loin decides to increase
the fund to Br. 650, then the company debit Petty Cash fund Br. 150 and credit cash for Br. 150.
To illustrate, assume that on August 25, Loin’s custodian made payments for the following items
and requests replenishment for Br. 437. The payments are for Delivery expense Br. 160 Postage
stamp Br. 72, purchase of supplies Br. 205. The following is the journal entry to record the
issuance of the check for replenishment.
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2016
25 Delivery Expense 160
August
Postage Expense 72
Supplies 205
Cash 437
Recording replenishment
Look the above entry do not change the balance of the petty cash fund rather it simply substitutes
the amount of cash withdrawn from the petty cash box.
In handling cash receipts from daily sales or in making payments from petty cash fund, a few
errors will occur. These errors might cause a cash short or cash over at the end of the day. The
account cash sort and over is debited if there is shortage and credited if there is overage.
To illustrate consider the information of the above illustration and assume that amount of cash
left on the petty cash box is Br. 55 instead of Br. 63(Br. 500-437). The balance shows Br.8
shortage and recorded as follows while replenishing.
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It is not surprising that companies and banks have developed approaches to transfer funds among
parties without the use of paper (deposit tickets, checks, etc.). Such procedures, called electronic
funds transfers (EFT), are disbursement systems that use wire, telephone, or computers to
transfer cash balances from one location to another. Use of EFT is quite common. For example,
many employees receive no formal payroll checks from their employers. Instead, employers send
electronic payroll data to the appropriate banks. Also, individuals now frequently make regular
payments such as those for house, car, and utilities by EFT.
EFT transfers normally result in better internal control since no cash or checks are handled by
company employees. This does not mean that opportunities for fraud are eliminated. In fact, the
same basic principles related to internal control apply to EFT transactions. For example, without
proper segregation of duties and authorizations, an employee might be able to redirect electronic
payments into a personal bank account and conceal the theft with fraudulent accounting entries.
Companies report cash in two different statements: the statement of financial position and the
statement of cash flows. When presented in a statement of financial position, cash on hand, cash
in banks, and petty cash are often combined and reported simply as Cash. Cash is listed last in
the current assets section of the statement of financial position.
The statement of cash flows shows the sources and uses of cash during a period of time. In this
section, we discuss some important points regarding the presentation of cash in the statement of
financial position.
Cash Equivalents
Many companies use the designation “Cash and cash equivalents” in reporting cash. Cash
equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known
amounts of cash, and insensitive to changes in interest rate. Examples of cash equivalents are
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Treasury bills, commercial paper (short-term corporate notes), and money market funds. All
typically are purchased with cash that is in excess of immediate needs.
While cash equivalents are now frequently reported with cash, it appears likely that the IASB
will end this practice in the future. Instead, those items that are now referred to as cash
equivalents will be reported as short-term investments.
Restricted Cash
A company may have restricted cash, cash that is not available for general use but rather is
restricted for a special purpose. Cash restricted in use should be reported separately on the
statement of financial position as restricted cash. If the company expects to use the restricted
cash within the next year, it reports the amount as a current asset. When this is not the case, it
reports the restricted funds as a non-current asset.
Synopsis of lecture
1. In preparing a bank reconciliation the amount of the check outstanding would be:
a. Added to the cash balance according to the bank statement
b. Deducted from the cash balance according to the bank statement
c. Added to the cash balance according to the depositor’s record
d. Deducted from cash balance according to the depositor’s record
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2. Journal entries based on the bank reconciliation is required for:
a. Additions to the cash balance according to the depositor’s record
b. Deducted from the cash balance according to the depositor’s record
c. Both a and b d. Neither a nor b
3. The journal used to record liability when a voucher system is used is called
a. A Voucher c. A check register
b. An unpaid voucher d. A voucher register
4. The voucher system records all purchases at net amount, which is the correct record for a
Purchase is made for Br. 5000 , terms 1/10, n/30
a. Purchase should be debited for Br, 4,950
b. Discount lose would be debited for Br. 50 , if the voucher is not paid with in the
discount period.
c. If the voucher is not paid after the discount period has expired, the discount lost
would be reported as expense on income statement
d. All of the above
5. A petty cash fund is:
a. used to pay relatively small amounts
b. Established by estimating the amount of cash for disbursement to relatively small
amounts
c. Reimbursed when the amount of money in the fund is reduced to a predetermined
minimum amount.
d. All of the above
ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEM
1. The bank statement of Dunlap company for April 30, indicated a balance of
Br.10,443.11, the company employees a voucher system in controlling expenditure. All
cash receipts are deposited each evening in the night depository, after the banking hour.
The accounting records indicate the following summary data for cash receipts and
disbursements.
Cash in bank as of April 1 , Br. 5,143.50
Cash receipt journal’s total cash receipt Br. 28,971.60
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Total amount of check issued in April Br. 26,060.85
Comparison of the bank statement and the accompanying canceled check and memorandum with
the records revealed the following items
a. The bank had collected for Dunlop Co. Br. 912 on a note left for collection. the face
value of the note is Br. 900
b. A deposit of Br. 1,852.21 representing a receipt of April 30 had been made too late to
appear on the bank statement
c. Check outstanding totaled Br. 3,265.27
d. A check drown for Br, 79 had been erroneously charged by the bank as Br.97
e. a check of Br. 10 returned with the statement had been recorded in the check register as
br.100. the check was for the payment of an obligation to Davis co. for purchase of office
supplies.
f. Bank service charge for April amounted to Br. 8.20
Instructions
i. prepare statements of bank reconciliation fro April
ii. Journalize the necessary entries
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CHAPTER SIX
After completing this part of the study you should be able to:
Receivable is a legally enforceable claim for payment held by a business for goods supplied
and/or services rendered that customers have ordered but not paid for.
Classification of Receivables
i. Accounts Receivable:- used for selling merchandise or services on credit, and normally
expected to be collected in a relatively short period. Such receivables are supported only
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by sales invoice, no formal written promise for payment. It is also known as open
account.
ii. Notes Receivable:- used to grant credit on the basis of a formal instrument of credit,
called a promissory note. Compared with account receivable note receivables is more
formal and legally binding. Notes are normally used for periods longer than 6o days and
for the transaction of relatively large in amount. Note may be used in settlement of open
account and in borrowing and lending money.
iii. Other Receivables:- include interest receivable, taxes receivable, and receivables from
officers and employees advance. This receivables are known as Non- trade receivable.
6.2. Internal Control over Receivables
Like cash strong internal control procedure is necessary for receivables also. The following are
among the control mechanisms:
Background and paying capacity of customers should be examined before allowing credit
sales.
Credit sales should be approved by as designated employee only.
Don’t allow that, related functions like selling, approving and recording is performed
by one individual.
Sales return and allowance and sales discount should be authorized, and there
adjustments are reviewed by a concerned party.
Effective collection effort should be made to minimize uncollectable.
6.3. Issues Associated with Receivables
There are three primary accounting issues are associated with receivable: These are
Recognizing receivables
Valuing receivables
Disposing of receivable
6.3.1. Recognition of Receivables
When goods or services are sold on account, a business can recognize receivables at that point of
sale at invoice price by debiting accounts receivable and crediting sales or service revenue. To
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illustrate, assume on July 3 Alemu Garage gives a repair service on account Br. 2,000. Here the
appropriate record is as follows.
Each customer must satisfy the credit requirements of the seller before the credit sale is
approved. Inevitably, though, some accounts receivable become uncollectible. For example, a
customer may not be able to pay because of a decline in its sales revenue due to a downturn in
the economy. Similarly, individuals may be laid off from their jobs or faced with unexpected
hospital bills. Companies record credit losses as debits to Bad Debt Expense (or Uncollectible
Accounts Expense). Such losses are a normal and necessary risk of doing business on a credit
basis. Recently, when home prices in many parts of the world fell, home foreclosures rose and
lenders experienced huge increases in their bad debt expense.
Two methods are used in accounting for uncollectible accounts: these are:
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i. The direct write-off method
ii. The allowance method
i. Direct Write-off Method
Under the direct write-off method, when a company determines a particular account to be
uncollectible, it charges the loss to Bad Debt Expense. Under the direct write-off method, Bad
Debt Expense is not recorded until the customer’s account is determined to be worthless. once
the accounts is worthless, that customer’s account receivable is written off by debiting bad debt
expense and crediting Account receivable. To illustrate assume that, on October 20, 2016 a Br.
2,000 account receivable from Wt. Elsa has been determined to be uncollectable. The entry to
write of this account is as follows
NB: Under this method, Bad Debt Expense will show only actual losses from uncollectable. No
attempt is made to match bad debts to sales revenues or to show cash realizable value of
accounts receivable on the Statements of financial position. This reduces the usefulness of the
financial statements. Consequently, unless bad debt losses are insignificant, this method is not
acceptable for financial reporting purposes.
Synopsis of Lecture
The major categories of receivables are Accounts receivable and notes receivable. But
there are also other receivables which hold receivables like tax, interest etc.
The three issues related to accounts receivable are, recognition, valuation and disposal of
accounts receivables.
In the financial statement Accounts Receivables are valued at their cash realizable value.
Two methods are: direct write-off and allowance are the two methods used in accounting
for uncollectible accounts.
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Direct write-off method, records Bad Debt Expense when it is known that a particular
customer’s account is worthless.
Wrap-up discussion questions
Reading Text
The allowance method estimates the amount of uncollectible for accounts receivable at the end
of the accounting period and recognize Bad Debt Expense using adjusting entry. Compared to
Direct write of method, Allowance method has two advantages i. e (1) Bad debit expanse is
charged to the period in which the related sales is made and (2) Accounts receivable is reported
at the amount the company actual expects to received (i.e. Net realizable Value).
IFRS requires business to use the allowance method for financial reporting purposes. This
method has three essential features:
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a. Estimating doubtful accounts
To illustrate assume that, after making the appropriate review, the company estimated its
uncollectable accounts will be amounted Br. 5000. The following is the adjusting entry to record
the estimate.
NB: Allowance for doubtful account is a contra account to accounts receivable like accumulated
depreciation is a contra account to equipment. As a result it has a credit normal balance and
presented on the statements of financial position.
b. Write-off Uncollectable
In allowance method when a particular customers is known to be uncollected after
performing all necessary collection steps, the allowance account is reduced and the customer
is written off.
Account receivable of br. 1,500 hold by Mr. Aaron(one of the credit customer) is now known to
be uncollected the appropriate record is as follows
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illustrate assume that on February 16, the company received the br. 1,500 from Ato Aron, which
had been written off on January, 10. The following entries are required to be recorded.
Reinstating means simply reversing the journal we record to written off the actual uncollectable.
February
Account Receivable -Aron 1,500
To record the recovery
NB: The three essential feathers for allowance method are summarized as follows;
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6.3.2.2.Estimating and Recording Uncollectible
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts shows the estimated amount of claims on customers that the
company expects will become uncollectible in the future. There are two common methods used
to estimate uncollectable. The first method is the estimate made on the base of the relationship
between bad debt expenses and sales called an income statement approach. The second is
estimate made based on relationship between the age of account receivable and the allowance for
doubtful accounts called financial Position approach. After the estimate is made Companies use a
contra account instead of a direct credit to Accounts Receivable because they do not know the
specific customer will fail to pay its balance. As a result allowance account will is credited in
place of accounts receivable.
Since accounts receivable are created by credit sales, uncollectible accounts can be estimated as
a percent of credit sales. If the portion of credit sales to sales is relatively constant, the percent
may be applied to total sales or net sales. This method is better to match expenses with revenue
of a particular period and follows an income statement approach.
To illustrate assume BM Bajai has a credit sales of Br. 850,000 in the year ended December
31,2016. Based on past experience 1% of the credit sales are uncollectable. As per this estimate
the adjusting entry for uncollectable is as follows.
December
Allowance for doubtful 8,500
accounts
To record write-off
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NB: As you see from the above illustration Allowance for doubtful account has a credit balance
of br. 8,500. This is so if the account has zero balance before adjustment. What it the account has
a credit balance of br. 6,000 before adjustment. The
adjusted balance of Allowance account is Br. 14,500
now.
Credit i. E Credit
stimate
Jan 1, 2016. -0- Jan 1, Br. 6,000
Debit based on Debit
Jan 1, 2016. Dec 31, Br. 8500 Percentage Jan 1, 2016. Dec 31, 8,500
The analysis of receivables method is based on the assumption that the longer an account
receivable is outstanding, the less likely that it will be collected. Company’s prepares an aging
schedule, in which it classifies customer balances by the length of time they have been unpaid.
Then multiply each aged classes by an estimated percentage of uncollectable as shown in the
table below. The analysis of receivables method places more emphasis on the net realizable
value of the receivables and, thus, emphasizes the financial position. The following table
illustrates it.
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As per the above analysis of account receivable the amount of estimated uncollectable receivable
on December 31, 2016 is Br. 18,250. To record the adjusting entry this method takes the
balance of allowance on unadjusted trial balance in to consideration. Here the amount of the
adjusting entry is the difference between the estimated balance and the existing balance in the
allowance account.
To illustrate assume that the allowance for doubtful account has a balance of br. 12,150 before
adjustment. The appropriate adjusting entry will use Br. 8,150 i.e(18,250 - 12,150)
Dear students previously we have discussed about the meaning and the application of the two
methods in recognizing uncollectable. Now to enhance your understanding about the difference
between the two methods it is better to add one more illustration as a comparison.
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Illustration
The following selected transactions, taken from the records of Home Depo Plc. for the year
ending December 31, 2016, are used:
June . 18,. Received Br. 3,100 2,250 as partial payment on the Br. 6,000 account of Ato Markos
and Wrote off the remaining balance as uncollectible.
August 25. Received the Br. 4,500 from Wt, Luna, which had been written off on May 10.
Reinstated the account and recorded the cash receipt.
October 1. Wrote off, the various customer accounts as uncollectible Br. 8.250.
Dec. 31. Home Depo uses the percent of credit sales method of estimating uncollectible
expenses. Based on past history and industry averages, 2% of credit sales are expected to be
uncollectible. Home Depo recorded Br. 2,000,000 of credit sales during 2016
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To record estimated uncollectable
NB: As you see from the above table no allowance account is used for direct write off method.
Sales of Receivables
Companies might sale there receivables when immediate borrowing is expensive and impossible
to finance their urgent cash need or, when the billing and collection procedures are costly and
time taking for them. The process of selling receivable is called factoring. A factor buys
receivables from businesses for a fee and collects the payments directly from customers.
To Illustrate assume that on Februarys 26, 2017 Loyal Supermarket factors its receivable
amounted Br. 100,000 Dashin Bank Sc. The bank charges 3% on the amount of receivable sold.
Thejournal entry to record the transaction is as follows.
If the company often sells its receivables, it records the service charge expense as a selling
expense. If the company infrequently sells receivables, it may report this amount in the “Other
income and expense” section of the income statement.
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Credit Card Sales
Credit cards are frequently used by retailers who wish to avoid the paperwork of issuing credit.
Retailers can receive cash more quickly from the credit card issuer. A credit card sale occurs
when a company accepts national credit cards, such as Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and
American Express.
The three parties involved when credit cards are used in making retail sales are the company
issued the credit card, the retailer, and the customer. A retailer’s acceptance of a national credit
card is another form of selling (factoring) the receivable. The retailer pays the credit card issuer a
fee of 2-6% of the invoice price for its services. From an accounting standpoint, sales from Visa,
MasterCard, and Discover are treated differently than sales from American Express. Because
selling using American Express is considered as credit sales.
To illustrate assume that Shraton Addis gives catering service for br. 12,000 and received
MASTERCARD from the customer. The service fee that MASTERCARD charge is 4%. The
journal entry to record the transaction is
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Synopsis of lecture
Estimates for doubtful accounts can be made using an income statement or financial
position approach.
Allowance for doubtful account is a contra account to Accounts receivable and is
reversed when a particular costumer account is known to be uncollectable.
Receivable in one of the two ways to dispose account receivables are factoring and
making credit sales.
The process of selling receivable to financial institutions is called factoring.
A credit card sale occurs when a company accepts national credit cards, such as Visa,
MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
Wrap-up discussion questions
Explain the difference between income statement and financial position approach for
estimating uncollectable.
Explain the meaning of Allowance for doubtful account.
Explain the ways of disposing accounts receivables
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Describe the entries to record the disposition of notes receivable.
Reading Text
3. The face amount is the amount the note is written for on its face.
5. The due date or maturity date is the date the note is to be paid.
6. The term of a note is the amount of time between the issuance and due dates.
7. The interest rate is that rate of interest that must be paid on the face amount for the term of the
note.
The basic issues in accounting for notes receivable are the same as those for accounts receivable:
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6.5.1. Recognition of Note Receivables
To illustrate, assume that a company accepts a 60-day, 12% note dated August21, 2016, in
settlement of the account of Bunna Co., which is past due and has abalance of 7,500. The
company records the receipt of the note as follows:
The life of a note can be expressed in terms of months or days. When the life of the note is
expressed in terms of months, the due date is found by counting the months from the date of
issue Example: The maturity date of a 3-month note dated May 31 is August 31.
When the life of the note is expressed in terms of days, you need to count the days.In counting,
the date of issue is omitted but the due date is included. To illustrate Assume MC. company
issued a 45 days note on March 25. The maturity date of this note is computed as follows.
March 31 -25 6
April 30 36
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To illustrates Merry Co. issued a br. 6,000, 10% , 90days note to Jattu Company. Compute the
value of interest.
A note is honored when it is paid in full at its maturity date. For an interest-bearing note, the
amount due at maturity is the face value of the note plus interest for the length of time specified
on the note.
Illustration Assume that Miky Co. lends Simert Inc. Br. 25,000 on May 1, accepting a 6-month,
10% interest-bearing note. Miky collects the maturity value of the note from Simert on
November
Consider the above illustration for Miky Co, and assume that the company prepares financial
statements as of June 30. Here two months interest is accrued but not yet received until maturity.
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The maturity date falls on the next accounting period. As a result interest revenue is recognized
by the amount of interest accrued as follows.
At the note’s maturity on November 1, Miky receives Br. 26,250. This amount represents
repayment of the Br.25, 000 note as well as six months of interest, i.e Br. 1,250 as shown below.
The Br. 1,250 is comprised of the Br. 417 Interest Receivable accrued on June 30 plus Br. 833
four months interest earned (July to October).
A company in need of cash may transfer its notes receivable to a bank by endorsement. This
process is referred to as discounting note. Through discounting notes receivable can be converted
to cash before they mature. The discount interest charged by the bank is computed on the
maturity value of the note for the period of time the bank must hold the note. The amount of the
proceed paid to the endorser is the excess of the maturity value over the discount.
The proceeds from discounting the note receivable may be less or greater than the face value. If
it is less than the face value, the excess of face value over the proceed will be recorded as a debit
interest expense. Otherwise interest revenue is recognized.
To illustrate, assume that a 90-day, 12%, Br.40, 000 Note Receivable from Amrot Co. dated June
10, 2016 is discounted at Awash Bank on July 10, 2016 at a discount rate of 14%. The amount of
proceeds is computed using the following steps:
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Step1 – determine the maturity date and maturity value
NB: Bank discount is an interest that is charged by the bank and is computed based on the
maturity value of the note for discount periods. On the other hand discount period in the number
of days that the bank holds the note.
The length of the discount period and the difference between the interest rate and discount rate
determine whether interest expense or interest revenue will result from the discounting.
To illustrate assume in the above case that the discount rate of Awash bank is 18 % instead of
14%, what will happen to the proceed of the note.
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Date Account Title and P/R Debit Credit
July 10 Cash 39,964
2016
Interest expense 34
Notes Receivable 40,000
Record of Discounting note
As you see from the above table the face value of the note Br.40,000 is greater than the bank
proceed Br. 39,964, as a result a Br. 36 expanse is incurred by the company.
If the maker of the note fails to pay the debt on the due date, the note is said tobe dishonored.A
dishonored notes receivable is no longer negotiable and for this reason the holder usually
transfers the claims, including an interest due, to account receivable account.
It should be observed that the proceeds from discounting a note receivable might be less than the
face value. When this situation occurs, the excess of the face value over the proceeds is recorded
as interest expense. Notes receivable are discounted with recourse or without recourse. When a
note is discounted without recourse, the bank assumes the risk of a bad debt loss and the
original payee doesn’t have a contingent liability. A contingent liability is an obligation to make
a future payment if, and only if an uncertain future event occurs. If a note is discounted with
recourse and the original maker of the note fails to pay the bank when it matures, the original
payee of the note must pay for it. This means a company discounting a note with recourse has a
contingent liability until the bank is paid. A company should disclose contingent liabilities in
notes to its financial statements.
To illustrate Assume that Dashin Co., holds a Br. 30,000, 12%, 30-day note of Ato Mesert . At maturity,
Meseret dishonored the note. Dashin Co. records this dishonoring of its N/R, on March 20, as follows:
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Interest revenue 300
Record of Dishonored note
If instead on November 1 there is no hope of collection, the note holder would write off the face
value of the note by debiting Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. No interest revenue would be
recorded because collection will not occur.
Companies should identify in the statement of financial position or in the notes to the financial
statements each of the major types of receivables. Short-term receivables appear in the current
assets section of the statement of financial position. Short-term investments appear after short-
term receivables because these investments are more liquid (nearer to cash). Companies report
both the gross amount of receivables and the allowance for doubtful accounts.
In an income statement, companies report bad debt expense and service charge expense as
selling expenses in the operating expenses section. Interest revenue appears under “Other income
and expense” in the non-operating activities section of the income statement.
Synopsis of Lecture
Notes receivable is a written promise to pay a certain sum of money on specific future
date to a specific person or entry.
A note is honored when it is paid in full at its maturity date.
Discounting is mechanism used to convert notes receivable to cash before they mature.
If the maker of the note fails to pay the debt on the due date, the note is said to be
dishonored.
6. How much is the maturity value of a 90Day’s, 12%, not for Br. 10,000:
a. Br. 8,800 c. Br. 10,300
b. 10,000 d. Br. 11,200
7. On June 16, the enterprise discounts a 60 day’s 10% notes receivable for Br. 15,000,
dated June 1 at the bank of 12%. The proceed is
a. Br. 15,000.00 c. 15,250
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b. Br. 15,021.25 d. 15,478.75
8. At the end of the fiscal year, before the accounts are adjusted, the accounts receivable
ledger has a balance of Br. 200,000 and the allowance for doubtful account has a credit
balance of Br. 2,500. if the estimate of uncollectable amount as a credit balance of Br.
2,500, the current provision to be made for uncollectable accounts expanse would Br,
a. Br. 2,500 c. Br. 8,500
b. Br. 6,500 d. Br. 200,000
ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEM
2. Selected transactions completed by Topaz co. are as follows. the company uses allowance
method of accounting for uncollectable accounts receivable
April 11. Wrote off a Br. 4,500 account from Exdel inc. as uncollectable
April 16, loaned Br. 7,500 cash to Tomas receiving a 90day’s , 14% note
April 30, received the interest due from Lakeland inc. and a new 90 day’s, 14% note as a
renewal of the loan( record both the debit and credit to the notes receivable)
May 1 Discounted the note from Tomas at first national bank at 10%
June 13, Reinstated the account of Exdel Inc. written on April 11 and received Br. 4,500 in
full payment
July 15, received a note from first national bank that Tomas dishonored this note. paid the
bank the maturity value of the note plus Br.20 protest fee.
July 29, received from Lakeland inc. , the amount due on its note on April 30.
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Dec 31. it is estimated that 2% of the credit sales of br. 958,600 for the year ended December
31, will be uncollectable.
Instructions:
3. The account receivable ledger of Morning Co.shows a balance of Br. 65,200 at the end of
current year. The analysis of the accounts in the customers’ ledger indicates uncollectible
accounts of Br.6,010. (the company uses the percentage of receivable method) Record the
adjusting entry under the following assumptions.
A. The allowance for doubtful account before adjustment has zero balance.
B. The allowance for doubtful account before adjustment has a debit balance of Br. 400
C. The allowance for doubtful account before adjustment has a credit balance of Br.
2,100
4. Assume on February 20 Beki Plc. determines it can’t collect Br. 1,020 owed to it by its
customer Lusi. Co. Record the adjusting entry using the direct write-off method.
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