28892cpt Fa SM Cp2 Part1

CHAPTER - 2
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By this time, you must have understood that
accounting is the process of identifying, measuring,
recording, classifying, summarising, analysing,
interpreting and communicating the financial
transactions and events. Accounting helps in
keeping systematic records to ascertain fnancial
performance and fnancial position of an entity and
to communicate the relevant fnancial information
to the interested user groups. Transactions and
events recorded by suitable account headings are
analysed in term of debit and credit; and thus assets
become equal to equity and liabilities. Accounts
are classifed as personal, real and nominal types.
Transactions and events are frst journalised, then
posted to suitable ledgers accounts and all accounts
are balanced at the end of year. Generally balances
of the nominal accounts are transferred to proft
and loss account for determination of proft or
loss and balance of personal and real accounts are
carried to balance sheet.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Represents all documents in business which contains fnancial
records and act as evidence of the transactions which have taken
place.
These are books which are used in recording the transactions for the
frst time. The books are maintained for memorandum purpose only
and will not form part of the double entry system. Examples include;
Purchase day book, Cash book, Sales day book and purchases return
day book
These form part of double entry system and used to record the
transactions for the period. These are accounts where information
relating to a particular asset, liability, capital, income and expenses
are recorded.
Contains the totals from various ledger accounts and act as a
preliminary check on accounts before producing fnal accounts.
Financial Statements are produced to show the fnancial performance
and fnancial position of a business entity.
Book of Original Entry
Ledger Accounts
Trial Balance
Final Accounts
All the above mentioned steps of the accounting process have been discussed in detail in the
subsequent units of this chapter. The students are advised to observe the whole sequence or cycle
of accounting, starting from journal to the preparation of trial balance (units 1 to 5 of this chapter).
The preparation of fnal accounts will be discussed in chapter 6 of the Study Material.
Source Documents
The process of accounting, depicting how information fows from the source documents up to
the stage where fnal accounts are prepared, can be shown as:
CHAPTER - 2
ACCOUNTING
PROCESS
Unit 1
Basic Accounting
Procedures
Journal Entries
BASIC ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES JOURNAL ENTRIES
2.4
COMMON PROFICIENCY TEST
Learning Objectives
After studying this unit, you will be able to :
understand meaning and signifcance of Double Entry Systems.
familiarige with the term 'account' and understand the classifcation of accounts into personal,
real and nominal.
note the utility of such classifcation and sub-classifcations,
understand how debits and credits are determined from transactions and events.
observe the points to be taken care of while recording a transaction in the journal.
1. DOUBLE ENTRY SYSTEM
Double entry system of book-keeping has emerged in the process of evolution of various accounting
techniques. It is the only scientifc system of accounting. According to it, every transaction has
two-fold aspectsdebit and credit and both the aspects are to be recorded in the books of accounts.
For example, if a business acquires something then either it must have been given by someone
or it must have been acquired by giving up something. On purchase of furniture either the cash
balance will be reduced or a liability to the supplier will arise. This has been made clear already,
the Double Entry System is so named since it records both the aspects. We may defne the Double
Entry System as the system which recognises and records both the aspects of transactions. This
system has proved to be systematic and has been found of great use for recording the fnancial
affairs for all institutions requiring use of money.
2. ADVANTAGES OF DOUBLE ENTRY SYSTEM
This system affords the under mentioned advantages:
(i) By the use of this system the accuracy of the accounting work can be established, through
the device of the trial balance.
(ii) The proft earned or loss suffered during a period can be ascertained together with details.
(iii) The fnancial position of the frm or the institution concerned can be ascertained at the end
of each period, through preparation of the balance sheet.
(iv) The system permits accounts to be kept in as much details as necessary and, therefore affords
signifcant information for the purposes of control etc.
(v) Result of one year may be compared with those of previous years and reasons for the change
may be ascertained.
It is because of these advantages that the system has been used extensively in all countries.
3. ACCOUNT
We have seen how the accounting equation becomes true in all cases. A person starts his business
with say, ` 10,000; capital and cash are both ` 10,000. Transactions entered into by the frm will
alter the cash balance in two ways, one will increase the cash balance and other will reduce it.
Payment for goods purchased, for salaries and rent, etc., will reduce it; sales of goods for cash
and collection from customers will increase it.
FUNDAMENTALS OF ACCOUNTING
2.5
We can change the cash balance with every transaction but this will be cumbersome. Instead it
would be better if all the transactions that lead to an increase are recorded in one column and
those that reduce the cash balance in another column; then the net result can be ascertained. If
we add all increases to the opening balance of cash and then deduct the total of all decreases we
shall know the closing balance. In this manner, signifcant information will be available relating
to cash.
The two columns which we reffered above are put usually in the form of an account, called the
T form. This is illustrated below by taking imaginary fgures:
CASH
Increase
(Receipt)
`
Decrease
(Payment)
`
Opening Balance 10,000 1,000
2,500 300
2,000 200
50 500
1,350
400 Total 2,000
New or Closing Balance 14,300
16,300 16,300
What we have done is to put the increase of cash on the left hand side and the decrease on the
right hand side; the closing balance has been ascertained by deducting the total of payments,
` 2,000 from the total of the left - hand side. Such a treatment of receipts and payment of cash is
very convenient.
The proper form of an account is as follows:
ACCOUNT
Dr. Cr.
Date Particulars Ref. Amount Date Particulars Ref. Amount
` `
The columns are self-explanatory except that the column for reference (Ref.) is meant to indicate
the sources where information about the entry is available.
4. DEBIT AND CREDIT
We have seen that by deducting the total of liabilities from the total of assets the amount of capital
is ascertained, as is indicated by the accounting equation.
Assets = Liabilities + Capital
or
Assets Liabilities = Capital
2.6
We have also seen that if there is any change on one side of the equation, there is bound to be
similar change on the other side of the equation or amongst items covered by it. This is again
illustrated below:
Transactions Total
Assets
`
= Liabilities
`
+ Owners
Capital
`
(1) Started business with cash ` 10,000 10,000 10,000
(2) Borrowed ` 5,000 + 5,000 + 5,000
(3) Withdrew cash from business ` 2,000 - 2,000 - 2,000
(4) Loan repaid to the extent of ` 1,000 - 1,000 - 1,000
Balance 12,000 = 4,000 + 8,000
As has been seen previously, what has been given above is suitable only if the number of
transactions is small. But if the number is large, a different procedure of putting increases and
decreases in different columns will be useful and this will also yield signifcant information. The
transactions given above are being shown below according to this method.
Total Assets = Liabilities + Owners Capital
Increase
`
Decrease
`
Decrease
`
Increase
`
Decrease
`
Increase
`
(1) 10,000 10,000
(2) 5,000 5,000
(3) 2,000 2,000
(4) 1,000 1,000
Total 15,000 3,000 1,000 5,000 2,000 10,000
Balance 12,000 = 4,000 + 8,000
It is a tradition that:
(i) increases in assets are recorded on the left-hand side and decreases in them on the right-hand
side; and
(ii) in the case of liabilities and capital, increases are recorded on the right-hand side and decreases
on the left-hand side.
When two sides are put together in T form, the left-hand side is called the debit side and
the right hand side is credit side. When in an account a record is made on the debit or left-
hand side, one says that one has debited that account; similary to record an amount on the
right-hand side is to credit it.
2.7
From the above, the following rules can be obtained:
(i) When there is an increase in the amount of an asset, its account is debited; the account will
be credited if there is a reduction in the amount of the asset concerned : Suppose a frm
purchases furniture for ` 800, the furniture account will be debited by ` 800 since the asset
has increased by this amount. Suppose later the frm sells furniture to the extent of ` 300,
the reduction will be recorded by crediting the furniture account by ` 300.
(ii) If the amount of a liability increases, the increase will be entered on the credit side of the liability
account, i.e. the account will be credited : similarly, a liability account will be debited if there is a
reduction in the amount of the liability. Suppose a frm borrows ` 500 from Mohan; Mohans
account will be credited since ` 500 is now owing to him. If, later, the loan is repaid, Mohans
account will be debited since the liability no longer exists.
(iii) An increase in the owners capital is recorded by crediting the capital account : Suppose the proprietor
introduces additional capital, the capital account will be credited. If the owner withdraws
some money, i.e., makes a drawing, the capital account will be debited.
(iv) Proft leads to an increase in the capital and a loss to reduction : According to the rule mentioned in
(iii) above, proft may be directly credited to the capital account and losses may be similarly
debited.
However, it is more useful to record all incomes, gains, expenses and losses separately.
By doing so, very useful information will be available regarding the factors which have
contributed to the years profts and losses. Later the net result of all these is ascertained and
adjusted in the capital account.
(v) Expenses are debited and Incomes are credited : Since incomes and gains increase capital, the rule
is to credit all gains and incomes in the accounts concerned and since expenses and losses
decrease capital, the rule is to debit all expenses and losses. Of course, if there is a reduction
in any income or gain, the account concerned will be debited; similarly, for any reduction
in an expenses or loss the concerned account will be credited.
The rules given above are summarised below:
(i) Increases in assets are debits; decreases are credits;
(ii) Increases in liabilities are credits; decreases are debits;
(iii) Increases in owners capital are credits; decreases are debits;
(iv) Increases in expenses are debits; decreases are credits; and
(v) Increases in revenue or incomes are credits; decreases are debits.
The terms debit and credit should not be taken to mean, respectively, favourable and unfavourable
things. They merely describe the two sides of accounts.
2.8
Illustration 1
2011 `
April
1. R. started business with 10,000
2. He purchased furniture for 2,000
3. Paid salary to his clerk 100
4. Paid rent 50
5. Received interest 20
Solution
2011
April
Explanation Accounts
Involved
Nature of
Accounts
How
affected
Debit
`
Credit
`
1. ` 10,000 cash
invested in business
Cash and
Rs
Asset
Proprietorship
Increased
Increased
10,000
10,000
2. Purchased furniture
for ` 2,000
Furniture and
Cash
Asset
Asset
Increased
Decreased
2,000
2,000
3. Paid ` 100 to clerk
for salary
Salary &
Cash
Expense
Asset
Increased
Decreased
100
100
4. Paid Rent ` 50 Rent & Cash Expense
Asset
Increased
Decreased
50
50
5. Received interest ` 20 Cash &
Interest
Asset
Income
Increased
Increased
20
20
5. TRANSACTIONS
In the system of book-keeping, students can notice that transactions are recorded in the books
of accounts. A transaction is a type of event, which is generally external in nature and can be
determined in terms of money. In an accounting period, every business has huge number of
transactions which are analysed in fnancial terms and then recorded individually, followed by
classifcation and summarisation process, to know their impact on the fnancial statements. A
transaction is a two way process in which value is transferred from one party to another. In it
either a party receives a value in terms of goods etc. and passes the value in terms of money or vice
versa. Therefore, one can easily make out that in a transaction, a party receives as well as passes
the value to other party. For recording transaction it is very important that they are supported by
a substantial document like purchasing invoices, bills, pay-slips, cash-memos, passbook etc.
Transactions analysed in terms of money and supported by proper documents are recorded in
the books of accounts under double entry system. To analyse the dual aspect of each transaction,
two approaches can be followed:
2.9
(1) Accounting Equation Approach.
(2) Traditional Approach.
6. ACCOUNTING EQUATION APPROACH
The relationship of assets with that of liabilities and owners equity in the equation form is known
as Accounting Equation. Basic accounting equation comes into picture when sum total of capital
and liabilities equalises assets, where assets are what the business owns and capital and liabilities
are what the business owes. Under double entry system, every business transaction has two-fold
effect on the business enterprise where each transaction affects changes in assets, liabilities or
capital in such a way that an accounting equation is completed and equated. This accounting
equation holds good at all points of time and for any number of transactions and events except
when there are errors in accounting process.
Let us suppose that an individual started business by contributing ` 5,00,000 and taking
loan of `1,00,000 from a bank to be repayable, after 5 years. He purchased furniture costing
` 1,00,000, and merchandise worth ` 5,00,000. For purchasing the merchandise he paid ` 4,00,000
to the suppliers and agreed to pay balance after 3 months. Assume that all these transactions and
events occurred at to, base point of time.
The contribution by the owner is termed as capital; the borrowings are termed as loans or liabilities.
Whenever the loan is repayable in the short-run, say within one year, it is called short-term loan
or liability. On the other hand, if the loan is repayable within 4 or 5 years or more, it would be
termed as long term loan or liability.
Some other short-term liabilities relating to credit purchase of merchandise are popularly called
as trade creditors, and for other purchases and services received on credit as expense creditors.
These short-term liabilities are also termed as current liabilities.
On the other hand, money raised has been invested in two types of assetsfxed assets and current
assets. Furniture is a fxed asset, if it lasts long, say more than one year, and has utility to the
business, while inventory and cash balance will not remain fxed for long as soon as the business
starts to roll-these are current assets.
Often the owners claim or fund in the business is called equity. Owners claim implies capital
invested plus any proft earned minus any loss sustained.
Now at to we have an equation:
Equity + Liabilities = Assets
or, Equity + Long-Term Liabilities = Fixed Assets + Current Assets - Current Liabilities
2.10
Check : L.H.S.
Equity ` 5,00,000
Long Term Liabilities ` 1,00,000
Current Liabilities ` 1,00,000
` 7,00,000
R.H.S.
Fixed Assets:
Furniture ` 1,00,000
Current Assets:
Inventory ` 5,00,000
Cash ` 1,00,000
` 7,00, 000
Cash = Capital + Loan - Furniture - Payment to Creditors
= ` 5,00,000 + ` 1,00,000 - ` 1,00,000 - ` 4,00,000 = ` 1,00,000
Let us use E
o
, L
o
and A
o
to mean Equity, Liabilities and Assets respectively at t
0
. Thus the basic
accounting equation becomes
E
0
+ L
0
= A
0
or E
0
= A
0
- L
0
...(Eq. 1)
Now, let us suppose that at the end of period inventory valuing ` 2,50,000 is in hand, cash `
2,00,000, trade creditors, ` 50,000 bank loan ` 1,00,000 (interest was properly paid), furniture `
80,000 (` 20,000 is taken as loss of value due to use). So at t
1
-
Assets:
Fixed assets/ Furniture ` 80,000
Current assets/ Inventory ` 2,50,000
Cash ` 2,00,000
` 5,30,000
Liabilities:
LongTerm Liabilities ` 1,00,000
Current Liabilities ` 50,000
` 1,50,000
` 3,80,000
2.11
Equity = Assets - Liabilities
i.e., E
1
= A
1
- L
1
or E
1
+ L
1
= A
1
...(Eq. 2)
Let us compare E
1
with E
0
. Equity is reduced by ` 1,20,000 (5,00,000 - 3,80,000). Reduction in
equity is termed as loss.
Since the business sustained loss during the period, E
2
becomes less than E
0
.
E
1
< E
0
implies loss during t
01
Similarly, E
2
< E
1
implies loss during t
12
and so on.
On the other hand, E
1
> E
0
implies proft earned by business during t
01
, E
2
> E
1
implies proft
earned during t
12
and so on.
So if E
n
> E
n-1
, in general terms, equity has increased, while E
n
< E
n-1
implies that equity has declined.
Increase in equity is termed as proft while decrease in equity is termed as loss.
Illustration 2: Develop the accounting equation from following information available at the
beginning of accounting period:
`
Capital 1,00,000
Loan 50,000
Trade Creditors 70,000
Fixed Assets 80,000
Stock 60,000
Debtors 50,000
Cash and Bank 30,000
At the end of the accounting period the balances appear as follows :
`
Capital ?
Loan 50,000
Fixed Assets 72,000
Stock 90,000
Debtors 50,000
Cash at Bank 60,000
(a) Reset the equation and fnd out proft.
(b) Prepare Balance Sheet at the end of the accounting period.
2.12
Solution
(a) Accounting equation is given by
Equity + Liabilities = Assets
Let us use E
0
, L
0
and A
0
to mean equity, liabilities and assets respectively at the beginning of the
accounting period.
E
0
= ` 1,00,000
L
0
= Loan + Trade Creditors
= ` 50,000 + ` 70,000
= ` 1,20,000
A
0
= Fixed Assets + Stock + Debtors + Cash at Bank
= ` 80,000 + ` 60,000 + ` 50,000 + ` 30,000
= ` 2,20,000
So, at the beginning of accounting period
E
0
+ L
0
= A
0
i.e., ` 1,00,000 + ` 1,20,000 = ` 2,20,000
Let us use E
1
, L
1
, A
1
to mean equity, liabilities and assets respectively at the end of the accounting
period.
L
1
= Loan + Trade Creditors
= ` 50,000 + ` 80,000
= ` 1,30,000
A
1
= Fixed Assets + Stock + Debtors + Cash at Bank
= ` 72,000 + ` 90,000 + ` 50,000 + ` 60,000
= ` 2,72,000
E
1
= A1 - L
1
= ` 2,72,000 - ` 1,30,000 = ` 1,42,000
Proft = E
1
- E
0
= ` 1,42,000 - ` 1,00,000 = ` 42,000
(b) Balance Sheet
` ` Assets `
Capital Fixed Assets 72,000
Balance 1,00,000 Stock 90,000
Add: Proft 42,000 1,42,000 Debtors 50,000
Loan 50,000 Cash at Bank 60,000
2,72,000 2,72,000
2.13
7. TRADITIONAL APPROACH
Under traditional approach of recording transactions one should frst understand the term debit
and credit and their rules. The term debit and credit have already been explained in para 4 of
this Unit.
Transactions in the journal are recorded on the basis of the rules of debit and credit only. For the
purpose of recording, these transactions are classifed in three groups:
(i) Personal transactions.
(ii) Transactions related to assets and properties.
(iii) Transactions related to expenses, losses, income and gains.
7.1 CLASSIFICATION OF ACCOUNTS
(i) Personal Accounts: Personal accounts relate to persons, debtors or creditors. Example
would be; the account of Ram & Co., a credit customer or the account of Jhaveri & Co., a
supplier of goods. The capital account is the account of the proprietor and, therefore, it is
also personal but adjustment on account of profts and losses are made in it. This account is
further classifed into three categories:
(a) Natural personal accounts: It relates to transactions of human beings like Ram, Rita,
etc.
(b) Artifcial (legal) personal account: For business purpose, business entities are treated
to have separate entity. They are recognised as persons in the eye of law for dealing
with other persons. For example: Government, Companies (private or limited), Clubs,
Co-operative societies etc.
(c) Representative personal accounts: These are not in the name of any person or
organisation but are represented as personal accounts. For example: outstanding liability
account or prepaid account, capital account, drawings account.
(ii) Impersonal Accounts: Accounts which are not personal such as machinery account, cash
account, rent account etc. These can be further sub-divided as follows:
Accounts
Personal Accounts Impersonal Accounts
Real Nominal
Representative
Artifcial
(legal)
Natural
2.14
(a) Real Accounts: Accounts which relate to assets of the frm but not debt. For example,
accounts regarding land, building, investment, fxed deposits etc., are real accounts.
Cash in hand and Cash at the bank accounts are also real.
(b) Nominal Accounts: Accounts which relate to expenses, losses, gains, revenue, etc. like
salary account, interest paid account, commission received account. The net result of
all the nominal accounts is refected as proft or loss which is transferred to the capital
account. Nominal accounts are, therefore, temporary.
7.2 GOLDEN RULES OF ACCOUNTING
All the above classifed accounts have two rules each, one related to Debit and one related to Credit
for recording the transactions which are termed as golden rules of accounting, as transactions are
recorded on the basis of double entry system.
1. Personal account is governed by the following two rules:
Debit the receiver
Credit the giver
2. Real account is governed by the following two rules:
Debit what comes in
Credit what goes out
3. Nominal account is governed by the following two rules:
Debit all expenses and losses
Credit all incomes and gains.
8. JOURNAL
Transactions are frst entered in this book to show which accounts should be debited and which
credited. Journal is also called subsidiary book. Recording of transactions in journal is termed as
journalizing the entries.
8.1 JOURNALISING PROCESS
All transactions are frst recorded in the journal as and when they occur; the record is
chronological; otherwise it would be diffcult to maintain the records in an orderly manner.
The form of the journal is given below :
JOURNAL
Dr. Cr.
Date Particulars L.F. Amount Amount
` `
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
2.15
The columns have been numbered only to make clear the following but otherwise they are not
numbered. The following points should be noted:
(i) In the frst column the date of the transaction is entered-the year is written at the top, then
the month and in the narrow part of the column the particular date is entered.
(ii) In the second column, the names of the accounts involved are written; frst the account to be
debited, with the word Dr written towards the end of the column. In the next line, after
leaving a little space, the name of the account to be credited is written preceded by the word
To (the modern practice shows inclination towards omitting Dr. and To). Then in the
next line the explanation for the entry together with necessary details is given-this is called
narration.
(iii) In the third column the number of the page in the ledger on which the account is written up
is entered.
(iv) In the fourth column the amounts to be debited to the various accounts concerned are
entered.
(v) In the ffth column, the amount to be credited to various accounts is entered.
8.2 POINTS TO BE TAKEN INTO CARE WHILE RECORDING A TRANSACTION
IN THE JOURNAL
1. Journal entries can be single entry (i.e. one debit and one credit) or compound entry (i.e.
one debit and two or more credits or two or more debits and one credit or two or more
debits and credits). In such cases, it is important to check that the total of both debits
and credits are equal.
2. If journal entries are recorded in several pages then both the amount column of each page
should be totalled and the balance should be written at the end of that page and also that
the same total should be carried forward at the beginning of the next page.
An entry in the journal may appear as follows:
` `
May 5 Cash Account Dr. 450
To Mohan 450
( Bei ng t he amount
received from Mohan
i n payment of t he
amount due from him)
We will now consider some individual transactions.
(i) Mohan commences business with ` 5, 000. This means that the firm has
` 5,000 cash. According to the rules given above, the increase in an asset has to be debited
to it. The frm also now owes ` 5,000 to the proprietor, Mohan as capital. The rule given
above also shows that the increase in capital should be credited to it. Therefore, the
journal entry will be:
2.16

Cash Account Dr. ` 5,000
To Capital Account ` 5,000
(Being capital introduced by Shri Mohan)

(ii) Out of the above, ` 500 is deposited in the bank. By this transaction the cash balance is
reduced by ` 500 and another asset, bank account, comes into existence. Since increase
in assets is debited and decrease is credited, the journal entry will be:
Bank Account Dr. ` 500
To Cash Account ` 500
(Being cash deposited in Bank)
(iii) Furniture is purchased for cash ` 200. Applying the same reasoning as above the entry
will be:
Furniture Account Dr. ` 200
(Being Furniture purchased vide CM No....)
(iv) Purchased goods for cash ` 400. The student can see that the required entry is:
Purchases Account Dr. ` 400
(Being goods purchased vide CM No....)
(v) Purchased goods for ` 1,000 credit from M/s. Ram Narain Bros. Purchase of merchandise
is an expense item so it is to be debited. ` 1,000 is now owing to the supplier; his account
should therefore be credited, since the amount of liabilities has increased. The entry will
be:
Purchases Account Dr. ` 1,000
To M/s Ram Narain Bros. ` 1,000
(Being goods purchased vide Bill No.....)
(vi) Sold goods to M/S Ram & Co. for cash ` 600. The amount of cash increases and therefore,
the cash amount should be debited; sale of merchandise is revenue item so it is to be
credited. The entry will be:
2.17
Cash Account Dr. ` 600
To Sales Account ` 600
(Being goods s old vide CM No....)
(vii) Sold goods to Ramesh on credit for ` 300. The stock of goods has decreased and therefore,
the goods account has to be credited. Ramesh now owes ` 300; that is an asset and
therefore, Ramesh should be debited. The entry is:
Ramesh Dr. ` 300
To Sales Account ` 300
(Being goods sold vide Bill No....)
(viii)Received cash from Ramesh ` 300. The amount of cash increased therefore the cash
account has to be debited. Ramesh no longer owes any amount to the frm, i.e., this
particular form of assets has disappeared; therefore, the account of Ramesh should be
credited. The entry is:
To Ramesh ` 300
(Being cash received against Bill No....)
(ix) Paid to M/s Ram Narain Bros. ` 1,000. The liability to M/S Ram Narain Bros. has been
discharged; therefore this account should be debited. The cash balance has decreased
and, therefore, the cash account has to be credited. The entry is:
M/S Ram Narain Bros. Dr. ` 1,000
To Cash Account ` 1,000
(Being cash paid against Bill No....)
(x) Paid rent ` 100. The cash balance has decreased and therefore, the cash account should
be credited. No asset has come into existence because of the payment; the payment is for
services enjoyed and is an expense. Expenses are debited. Therefore, the entry should
be:
Rent Account Dr. ` 100
(Being rent paid for the month of .......)
2.18
(xi) Paid ` 200 to the clerk as salary. Applying the reasons given in (x) above, the required
entry is:
Salary Account Dr. ` 200
(Being salary paid to Mr..... for the month of
...........)
(xii) Received ` 20 interest. The cash account should be debited since there is an increase in
the cash balance. There is no increase in any liability; since the amount is not returnable
to any one, the amount is an income, incomes are credited. The entry is :
To Interest Account ` 20
(Being interest received from........ for the period
............)
When transactions of similar nature take place on the same date, they may be combined while
they are journalised. For example, entries (x) and (xi) may be combined as follows:
Rent Account Dr. ` 100
Salary Account Dr. ` 200
To Cash Account
(Being expenses done as per detail attached)
` 300
When journal entry for two or more transactions are combined, it is called composite journal entry.
Usually, the transactions in a frm are so numerous that to record the transactions for a month
will require many pages in the journal. At the bottom of one page the totals of the two columns
are written together with the words Carried forward in the particulars column. The next page
is started with the respective totals in the two columns with the words Brought forward in the
particulars column.
Illustration 3
Analyse transactions of M/S Sahil & Co. for the month of March, 2011 on the basis of double
entry system by adopting the following approaches:
(A) Accounting Equation Approach.
(B) Traditional Approach.
Transactions for the month of March, 2011 were as follows:
1. Sahil introduced cash ` 40,000.
2.19
2. Cash deposited in the City Bank ` 20,000.
3. Cash loan of ` 5,000 taken from Mr. Y.
4. Salaries paid for the month of March, 2011, ` 3,000 and ` 1,000 is still payable for the month
of March, 2011.
5. Furniture purchased ` 5,000.
What conclusions one can draw from the above analysis?
Solution
(A) Analysis of Business Transaction: Accounting Equation Approach
Transaction Analysis Account Affected
and Nature of
Account
Rule Entry
Introduction of
` 40,000 cash
by the
Proprietor
Cash received
Investment
by owner
Cash Asset

Capital Capital
Debit increase in
asset
Credit increase
in capital
Debit Cash

Credit Capital
Cash
deposited
in bank
` 20,000
Bank balance
increases

Cash balance
decrease
Bank Asset
Cash Asset
Debit increase in
asset

Credit decrease
in asset
Debit Bank

Credit Cash
Loan from Y
` 5,000
Cash balance
increases
Creates an
obligation to
repay Y
Cash Asset

Ys Loan
Liability
Debit increase
in assets
Credit increase
in liabilities
Debit Cash

Credit Ys Loan
Salaries paid
` 3,000 and
outstanding
` 1,000
Salaries for
services received
` 4,000
paid ` 3,000
Obligation to pay
` 1,000
Salary Temporary
capital (Expense)
CashAsset
Salaries
outstanding
Liability
Debit increase in
expenses

Credit decrease
in asset
Credit increase
in liabilities
Debit Salary
(` 4,000)
Credit Cash
(` 3,000)
Credit Salaries
outstanding (`
1,000)
Furniture
purchased
` 5,000
Increases
furniture owned
Cash decreases
FurnitureAsset
CashAsset
Debit increase
in asset
Credit decrease
in asset
Debit Furniture
Credit Cash
2.20
(B) Analysis of Business Transactions: Traditional Approach
Transaction Analysis Account Affected
and Nature of
Account
Rule Entry
Introduction of
` 40,000 cash
by the proprietor
Cash is received
by business
Owner has given
cash
CashReal
CapitalPersonal
Debit what
comes in
Credit the giver
Debit Cash
Credit Capital
Cash deposited
in bank
` 20,000
Bank receives
cash
Cash goes out
of business
BankPersonal
CashReal
Debit the receiver
Credit what goes
out
Debit Bank
Credit Cash
Loan from Y
` 5,000
Business gets cash
Y pays cash
CashReal
Ys LoanPersonal
Debit what
comes in
Credit the giver
Debit Cash

Credit Ys Loan
Salary paid
` 3,000 and
still payable
` 1,000
Cost of services
used ` 4,000
Cash goes out
` 3,000

Still payable or
outstanding for
services received
` 1,000
Salary Nominal

CashReal

Salary Outstanding
Personal
Debit all expenses
Credit what
goes out

Credit the giver

Debit Salary (`
4,000)
Credit Cash
(` 3,000

Credit Salary
outstanding (`
1,000)
Furniture
purchased
` 5,000
Furniture is
purchased
Cash is paid

Furniture Real

CashReal
Debit what
comes in
Credit what goes
out
Debit Furniture

Credit Cash
Conclusion:
It is evident from above analysis that procedure for analysis of transactions, classifcation of
accounts and rules for recording business transactions under accounting equation approach
and traditional approach are different. But the accounts affected and entries in affected accounts
remain same under both approaches. Thus, the recording of transactions in affected accounts on
the basis of double entry system is independent of the method of analysis followed by a business
enterprise. In other words, accounts to be debited and credited to record the dual aspect remain
same under both the approaches.
Illustration 4
Journalise the following transactions. Also state the nature of each account involved in the Journal
entry.
1. December 1, 2011, Ajit started business with Cash ` 40,000.
2.21
2. December 3, he paid into the Bank ` 2,000.
3. December 5, he purchased goods for cash ` 15,000.
4. December 8, he sold goods for cash ` 6,000.
5. December 10, he purchased furniture and paid by cheque ` 5,000.
6. December 12, he sold goods to Arvind ` 4,000.
7. December 14, he purchased goods from Amrit ` 10,000.
8. December 15, he returned goods to Amrit ` 5,000.
9. December 16, he received from Arvind ` 3,960 in full settlement.
10. December 18, he withdrew goods for personal use ` 1,000.
11. December 20, he withdrew cash from business for personal use ` 2,000.
12. December 24, he paid telephone charges ` 1,000.
13. December 26, cash paid to Amrit in full settlement ` 4,900.
14. December 31, paid for stationery ` 200, rent ` 500 and salaries to staff ` 2,000.
15. December 31, goods distributed by way of free samples ` 1,000.
Solution
JOURNAL
Dr. Cr.
Sl. Date Particulars Nature of L.F. Debit Credit
No Account (`) (`)
1. Dec. 1 Cash Account Dr. Real A/c 40,000
To Capital Account Personal A/c 40,000
(Being commencement
of business)
2. Dec. 3 Bank Account Dr. Personal A/c 2,000
To Cash Account Real A/c 2,000
(Being cash
deposited in the
Bank)
3. Dec. 5 Purchases Account Dr. Real A/c 15,000
(Being purchase of
goods for cash)
To Sales Account Real A/c 6,000
(Being goods sold for cash)
2.22
5. Dec. 10 Furniture Account Dr. Real A/c 5,000
To Bank Account Personal A/c 5,000
(Being purchase of
furniture, paid by
cheque)
6. Dec. 12 Arvind Dr. Personal A/c 4,000
To Sales Account Real A/c 4,000
(Being sale of goods)
7. Dec. 14 Purchases Account Dr. Real A/c 10,000
To Amrit Personal A/c 10,000
(Being purchase of
goods from Amrit )
8. Dec. 15 Amrit Dr. Personal A/c 5,000
To Purchases
Returns Account Real A/c 5,000
(Being goods returned
to Amrit)
Discount Account Dr. Nominal A/c 40
To Arvind Personal A/c 4,000
(Being cash received
from Arvind in full
settlement and allowed
him ` 40 as discount)
10. Dec. 18 Drawings Account Dr. Personal A/c 1,000
To Purchases Account Real A/c 1,000
(Being withdrawal of
goods for personal use)
11. Dec. 20 Drawings Account Dr. Personal A/c 2,000
(Being cash withdrawal
from the business for
personal use)
12. Dec. 24 Telephone Expenses Dr. Nominal A/c 1,000
Account
(Being telephone
expenses paid)
13. Dec. 26 Amrit Dr. Personal A/c 5,000
To Discount Account Nominal A/c 100
(Being cash paid to
Amrit and he allowed
` 100 as discount)
2.23
14. Dec. 31 Stationery Expenses Dr. Nominal A/c 200
Rent Account Dr. Nominal A/c 500
Salaries Account Dr. Nominal A/c 2,000
(Being expenses paid)
15. Dec. 31 Advertisement
Expenses Account Dr. Nominal A/c 1,000
To Purchases Account Real A/c 1,000
(Being distribution of
goods by way of
free samples)
Total 1,03,700 1,03,700

Illustration 5
Show the classifcation of the following Accounts under traditional and accounting equation
approach:
(a) Building; (b) Purchases; (c) Sales; (d) Bank Deposit; (e) Rent; (f) Rent Outstanding; (g) Cash;
(h) Adjusted Purchases; (i) Closing Stock; (j) Investments; (k) Debtors; (l) Sales Tax Payable,
(m) Discount Allowed; (n) Bad Debts; (o) Capital; (p) Drawings; (q) Interest Receivable account;
(r) Rent received in advance account; (s) Prepaid salary account; (t) Bad debts recovered account;
(u) Depreciation account, (v) Personal income-tax account.
Solution
Nature of Account
Sl. No. Title of Account Traditional Approach Accounting Equation Approach
(a) Building Real Asset
(b) Purchases Real Asset
(c) Sales Real Temporary Capital (Revenue)
(d) Bank Deposit Personal Asset
(e) Rent Nominal (Expense) Temporary Capital (Expense)
(f) Rent Outstanding Personal Liability
(g) Cash Real Asset
(h) Adjusted Purchases Nominal (Expense) Temporary Capital (Expense)
(i) Closing Stock Real Asset
(j) Investment Real Asset
(k) Debtors Personal Asset
2.24
(l) Sales Tax Payable Personal Liability
(m) Discount Allowed Nominal (Expense) Temporary Capital (Expense)
(n) Bad Debts Nominal (Expense) Temporary Capital (Expense)
(o) Capital Personal Capital
(p) Drawings Personal Temporary Capital (Drawings)
(q) Interest receivable Personal Asset
(r) Rent received in
advance
Personal Liability
(s) Prepaid salary Personal Valuation (Asset)
(t) Bad debts recovered Nominal (Gain) Temporary Capital (Gain)
(u) Depreciation Nominal (Expense) Temporary Capital (Expense)
(v) Personal Income Tax Personal (Drawing) Temporary Capital (Drawings)
Illustration 6
Transactions of Ramesh for April are given below. Journalise them.
2011 `
April 1 Ramesh started business with 10,000
2 Paid into bank 7,000
3 Bought goods for cash 500
5 Drew cash from bank for credit 100
13 Sold to Krishna goods on credit 150
20 Bought from Shyam goods on credit 225
24 Received from Krishna 145
Allowed him discount 5
28 Paid Shyam cash 215
Discount allowed 10
30 Cash sales for the month 800
Paid Rent 50
Paid Salary 100
2.25
Solution
JOURNAL
Dr. Cr.
Date Particulars L.F. Amount Date
2011 ` `
April 1 Cash Account Dr. 1 10,000
To Capital Account 4 10,000
(Being the amount invested by Ramesh in
the business as capital)
2 Bank Account Dr. 5 7,000
To Cash Account 1 7,000
(Being the amount paid into bank)
3 Purchases Account Dr. 7 500
To Cash Account 500
(Being goods purchased for cash)
5 Cash Account Dr. 1 100
To Bank Account 5 100
(Being cash withdrawn from bank)
13 Krishna Dr. 9 150
To Sales Account 7 150
(Being goods sold to Krishna on credit)
20 Purchases Account Dr. 7 225
To Shyam 10 225
(Being goods bought from Shyam on credit)
Discount Account Dr. 12 5
To Krishna 9 150
(Being cash received from Krishna and
discount allowed to him)
28 Shyam Dr. 10 225
To Cash Account 1 215
To Discount Account 12 10
(Being cash paid to Shyam and discount
allowed by him)
2.26
To Sales Account 7 800
(Being goods sold for cash)
30 Rent Account Dr. 15 50
Salaries Account Dr. 10 100
To Cash Account 1 150
(Being the amount paid for rent and salary)
Total 19,300 19,300
(Ledger Folio imaginary)
Illustration 7
Pass Journal Entries for the following transactions in the books of Gamma Bros.
(i) Employees had taken stock worth ` 10,000 (Cost price ` 7,500) on the eve of Deepawali and
the same was deducted from their salaries in the subsequent month.
(ii) Wages paid for erection of Machinery ` 8,000.
(iii) Income tax liability of proprietor ` 1,700 was paid out of petty cash.
(iv) Purchase of goods from Naveen of the list price of ` 2,000. He allowed 10% trade discount,
` 50 cash discount was also allowed for quick payment.
Solution
Journal Entries in the books of Gamma Bros.
Particulars Dr. Cr.
Amount Amount
` `
(i) Salaries A/c Dr. 7,500
To Purchase A/c 7,500
(Being entry made for stock taken by employees)
(ii) Machinery A/c Dr. 8,000
To Cash A/c 8,000
(Being wages paid for erection of machinery)
(iii) Drawings A/c Dr. 1,700
To Petty Cash A/c 1,700
(Being the income tax of proprietor paid out of
business money)
(iv) Purchase A/c Dr. 1,800
To Cash A/c 1,750
To Discount Received A/c 50
(Being the goods purchased from Naveen for
` 2,000 @ 10% trade discount and cash discount
of ` 50)
2.27
9. ADVANTAGES OF JOURNAL
In journal, transactions recorded on the basis of double entry system, fetch following
advantages:
1. As transactions are recorded on chronological order, one can get complete information about
the business transactions on time basis.
2. Entries recorded in the journal are supported by a note termed as narration, which is a precise
explanation of the transaction for the proper understanding of the entry. One can know the
correctness of the entry through these narrations.
3. Journal forms the basis for posting the entries in the ledger. This eases the accountant in their
work and reduces the chances of error.
SELF EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
I. Pick up the correct answer from the given choices:
(i) The rent paid to landlord is credited to
(a) Landlords account. (b) Rent account. (c) Cash account. (d) None of the above.
(ii) In case of a debt becoming bad, the amount should be credited to
(a) Debtors account. (b) Bad debts account. (c) Cash account. (d) Sales account.
(iii) Sunset Tours has a ` 3,500 account receivable from Mohan. On January 20, the Rotary makes
a partial payment of ` 2100 to Sunset Tours The journal entry made on January 20 by Sunset
Tours to record this transaction includes:
(a) A credit to the cash received account of ` 2,100.
(b) A credit to the Accounts receivable account of ` 2,100.
(c) A debit to the cash account of ` 1,400.
(d) A debit to the Accounts receivable account of ` 1,400.
(iv) Which fnancial statement represents the accounting equation -
Assets = Liabilities + Owners equity:
(a) Income Statement (b) Statement of Cash fows
(c) Balance Sheet (d) None of the above
(v) Which account is the odd one out?
(a) Offce furniture & Equipment. (b) Freehold land and Buildings.
(c) Stock of materials. (d) Plant and Machinery.
(vi) The debts written off as bad, if recovered subsequently are
(a) Credited to Bad Debts Recovered Account (b) Credited to Debtors Account.
(c) Debited to Proft and Loss Account (d) None of the above
[Ans: 1: (i)-(c), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(b), (iv)-(c), (v)-(c), (vi)-(a)]
II. From the given information, choose the most appropriate answer.
1. Classify each of the following items under:
(i) Prepaid salary account.
(a) Personal (b) Real (c) Nominal (d) None of the above
(ii) Bill payable account.
(iii) Rent account.
(iv) Proprietors account
(v) Patents account.
[Ans. 1: (i)-(a), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(a), (v)-(b)]
2. Classify each of the following items under:
(i) Salaries.
(a) revenue(R) (b) expense (E) (c) asset (A) (d) liability (L) or
(ii) Equipment.
(iii) Accounts payable.
(iv) Membership fees earned.
(v) Stock.
(vi) Accounts receivable.
(vii) Building.
(viii) Profts.
(a) revenue(R) (b) expense (E) (c) asset (A) (d) owners capital (OC) item.
[Ans.2: (i)-(b), (ii)-(c), (iii)-(d), (iv)-(a), (v)-(c), (vi)-(c), (vii)-(c), (viii)-(d)]
3. In each of the following, indicate the alternative which you consider to be correct:
(a) In Double Entry System of Book-keeping every business transaction affects:
(i) Two accounts. (ii) Two sides of the same account.
(iii) The same account on two different dates. (iv) All of the above
(b) A sale of goods to Ram for cash should be debited to:
(i) Ram (ii) Cash (iii) Sales (iv) Capital
(c) A withdrawal of cash from business by the proprietor should be credited to:
(i) Drawing Account (ii) Capital Account
(iii) Cash Account (iv) Purchase Account
[Ans:3: (a)(i), (b)(ii), (c)(iii)]
2.28
CHAPTER - 2

Unit 2

Ledgers
ACCOUNTING
PROCESS
LEDGERS
2.30
Learning Objectives
Understand the concept of Ledgers.
Learn the technique of ledger posting sand how to balance an account.
Learn the technique of opening accounts each year taking closing balances of the previous
year. Note also the use of 'balance c/d' and 'balance b/d'.
1. INTRODUCTION
After recording the transactions in the journal, recorded entries are classifed and grouped into
by preparation of accounts and the book, which contains all set of accounts (viz. personal, real
and nominal accounts), is known as Ledger. It is known as principal books of account in which
account-wise balance of each account is determined.
2. SPECIMEN OF LEDGER ACCOUNTS
A ledger account has two sides-debit (left part of the account) and credit (right part of the account).
Each of the debit and credit side has four columns. (i) Date (ii) Particulars (iii) Journal folio i.e.
page from where the entries are taken for posting and (iv) Amount.
Dr. Account Cr.
Date Particulars J.F. Amount ( `) Date Particulars J.F. Amount ( `)
3. POSTING
The process of transferring the debit and credit items from journal to classifed accounts in the
ledger is known as posting.
3.1 RULES REGARDING POSTING OF ENTRIES IN THE LEDGER
1. Separate account is opened in ledger book for each account and entries from ledger
posted to respective account accordingly.
2. It is a practice to use words To and By while posting transactions in the ledger. The
word To is used in the particular column with the accounts written on the debit side
while By is used with the accounts written in the particular column of the credit side.
These To and By do not have any meanings but are used to represent the account
debited and credited.
3. The concerned account debited in the journal should also be debited in the ledger but
reference should be of the respective credit account. For example: Rent paid by cash
` 500. The journal entry for this transaction would be.
2.31
4. BALANCING AN ACCOUNT
At the end of the each month or year or any particular day it may be necessary to ascertain the
balance in an account. This is not a too diffcult thing to do; suppose a person has bought goods
worth ` 1,000 and has paid only ` 850; he owes ` 150 and that is balance in his account. To ascertain
the balance in any account, what is done is to total the sides and ascertain the difference; the
difference is the balance. If the credit side is bigger than the debit side, it is a credit balance. In
the other case it is a debit balance. The credit balance is written on the debit side as, To Balance
c/d; c/d means carried down. By doing this, two sides will be equal. The totals are written
on the two sides opposite one another.
Then the credit balance is written on the credit side as By balance b/d (i.e., brought down).
This is the opening balance for the new period. The debit balance similarly is written on the
credit side as By Balance c/d, the totals then are written on the two sides as shown above as
then the debit balance written on the debit side as, To Balance b/d, as the opening balance of
the new period.
It should be noted that nominal accounts are not balanced; the balance in the end are transferred
to the proft and loss account. Only personal and real accounts ultimately show balances. In the
illustration given above, one will have noticed that the capital account, the purchases account,
sales account, the discount account, the rent account and the salary account have not been
balanced. The capital account will have to be adjusted for proft or loss and that is why it has not
been balanced yet.
Illustration 1
Prepare the Stationery Account of a frm for the year ended 31.12.2011 duly balanced off, from
the following details:
2011 `
Jan. 1 Stock in hand 480
April 5 Purchase of stationery by cheque 800
Nov. 15 Purchase of stationery on credit from Five Star Stationery Mart 1,280
Dec. 31 Stock in hand 240
Solution
Stationery Account
Dr. Cr.
Date Particulars ` Date Particulars `
1.1.2011 To Balance b/d 480 31.12.2011 By Proft and loss
5.4.2011 To Bank A/c 800 A/c (Balancing
fgure) 2,320
15.11.2011 To Five Star Stationery
Mart A/c 1,280 31.12.2011 By Balance c/d 240
2,560 2,560
1.1.2012 To Balance b/d 240
LEDGERS
2.32
Illustration 2
Journalise the following transactions in the books of a trader
Debit Balance on January 1, 2011
Cash in Hand ` 8,000, Cash at Bank ` 25,000, Stock of Goods ` 20,000, Building
` 10,000. Sundry Debtors: Vijay ` 2,000 and Madhu ` 2,000.
Credit Balances on January 1, 2011:
Sundry Creditors: Anand ` 5,000. Capital ` 55,000
Following were further transactions in the month of January, 2011:
Jan. 1 Purchased goods worth ` 5,000 for cash less 20% trade discount and 5% cash
discount.
Jan. 4 Received ` 1,980 from Vijay and allowed him ` 20 as discount.
Jan. 8 Purchased plant from Mukesh for ` 5,000 and paid ` 100 as cartage for bringing
the plant to the factory and another ` 200 as installation charges.
Jan. 12 Sold goods to Rahim on credit ` 600.
Jan. 15 Rahim became insolvent and could pay only 50 paise in a rupee.
Jan. 18 Sold goods to Ram for cash ` 1,000.
Solution
Cash Account
Dr.
Date
2011
Particulars L.F. `
Date
2011
Particulars L.F.
Cr.
`
Jan. 1 To Balance b/d 8,000 Jan. 1 By Pur chas es
A/c
3,800
Jan. 4 To Vijay 1,980 Jan. 8 By Plant A/c 300
Jan. 15 To Rahim 300 Jan. 31 By Balance c/d 7,180
Jan. 18 To Sales A/c 1,000
11,280 11,280
Feb. 1 To Balance b/d 7,180
Bank Account
Dr.
Date
Particulars L.F. ` Date Particulars L.F.
Cr.
`
Jan. 1 To Balance c/d 25,000 Jan. 31 By Balance c/d 25,000
25,000 25,000
Stock Account
Dr.
Date
Particulars L.F. ` Date Particulars L.F.
Cr.
`
Jan. 1 To Balance b/d 20,000 Jan. 31 By Balance c/d 20,000
20,000 20,000
2.33
Building Account
Dr. Cr.
Date Particulars L.F. ` Date Particulars L.F. `
10,000 10,000
Vijay
Dr. Cr.
Jan. 1 To Balance b/d 2,000 Jan. 4 By Cash A/c 1,980
By Discount A/c 20
2,000 2,000
Madhu
Dr. Cr.
2,000 2,000
Capital Account
Dr. Cr.
Jan. 31 To Balance c/d 55,000 Jan. 1 By Balance b/d 55,000
55,000 55,000
Feb. 1 By Balance b/d 55,000
Purchases Account
Dr. Cr.
Jan. 1 To Cash 3,800
Jan. 1 To Discount 200 Jan. 31 By Balance c/d 4,000
4,000 4,000
Discount Account
Dr. Cr.
Jan. 4 To Vijay 20 Jan. 1 By Purchases A/c 200
Jan. 31 To Balance c/d 180
200 200
Feb. 1 By Balance b/d 180
LEDGERS
2.34
Plant Account
Dr. Cr.
Jan. 8 To Mukesh 5,000 Jan. 31 By Balance c/d 5,300
Jan. 8 To Cash A/c 300
5,300 5,300
Mukesh
Dr. Cr.
Jan. 31 To Balance c/d 5,000 Jan. 8 By Plant A/c 5,000
5,000 5,000
Feb. 1 By Balance b/d 5,000
Sales Account
Dr. Cr.
Jan. 31 To Balance c/d 1,600 Jan. 12 By Rahim 600
Jan. 18 By Cash A/c 1,000
1,600 Feb. 1 By Balance b/d 1,600
Rahim
Dr. Cr.
Jan. 12 To Sales A/c 600 Jan. 15 By Cash A/c 300
Jan. 15 By Bad Debts A/c 300
600 600
Bad Debts Account
Dr. Cr.
Jan. 15 To Rahim 300 Jan. 31 By Balance c/d 300
300 300
Feb. 1 To Balance b/d 300
Illustration 3
The following data is given by Mr. S, the owner, with a request to compile only the two personal
accounts of Mr. H and Mr. R, in his ledger, for the month of April, 2011.
1 Mr. S owes Mr. R ` 15,000; Mr. H owes Mr. S ` 20,000.
4 Mr. R sold goods worth ` 60,000 @ 10% trade discount to Mr. S.
5 Mr. S sold to Mr. H goods prices at ` 30,000.
2.35
17 Record a purchase of ` 25,000 net from R, which were sold to H at a profit of
` 15,000.
18 Mr. S rejected 10% of Mr. Rs goods of 4th April.
19 Mr. S issued a cash memo for ` 10,000 to Mr. H who came personally for this consignment
of goods, urgently needed by him.
22 Mr. H cleared half his total dues to Mr. S, enjoying a % cash discount (of the payment
received, ` 20,000 was by cheque).
26 Rs total dues (less ` 10,000 held back) were cleared by cheque, enjoying a cash discount of
` 1,000 on the payment made.
29 Close Hs Account to record the fact that all but ` 5,000 was cleared by him, by a cheque,
because he was declared bankrupt.
30 Balance Rs Account.
Solution
In the books of Mr. S
Mr. H Account
Dr. Cr.
1.4.2011 To Balance b/d 20,000 22.4.2011 By Bank A/c 20,000
5.4.2011 To Sales A/c 30,000 22.4.2011 By Cash A/c (Note 2) 24,775
17.4.2011 To Sales A/c 40,000 29.4.2011 By Discount Allowed A/c 225
29.4.2011 By Bank A/c 40,000
29.4.2011 By Bad Debts A/c 5,000
90,000 90,000
Mr. R Account
Dr. Cr.
18.4.2011 To Purchase 5,400 1.4.2011 By Balance b/d 15,000
Returns A/c 4.4.2011 Purchases A/c 54,000
26.4.2011 To Bank A/c 77,600 17.4.2011 Purchases A/c 25,000
26.4.2011 To Discount
Received A/c 1,000
30.4.2011 To Balance c/d 10,000
94,000 94,000
1.5.2011 By Balance b/d 10,000
Working Notes:
(1) Sale of ` 10,000 on 19th April is a cash sales, therefore, it will not be recorded in the Personal
Account of Mr. H; and (2) On 22nd April, Mr. H owes Mr. S ` 90,000, amount paid by Mr. H
of ` 90,000 less % discount i.e. ` 45,000 ` 225 = ` 44,775. Out of this amount, ` 20,000 paid by
cheque and the balance of ` 24,775 in cash.
(i) The process of transferring the debit and credit items from a Journal to their respective
accounts in the ledger is termed as
(a) Posting
(b) Purchase
(c) Balancing of an account
(d) Arithmetically accuracy test
(ii) The technique of fnding the net balance of an account after considering the totals of
both debits and credits appearing in the account is known as
(a) Posting
(b) Purchase
(c) Balancing of an account
(d) Arithmetically accuracy test.
(iii) Journal and ledger records transactions in
(a) A chronological order and analytical order respectively.
(b) An analytical order and chronological order respectively.
(c) A chronological order only
(d) An analytical order only.
(iv) Ledger book is popularly known as
(a) Secondary book of accounts
(b) Principal book of accounts
(c) Subsidiary book of accounts
(d) None of the above
(v) At the end of the accounting year all the nominal accounts of the ledger book are
(a) Balanced but not transferred to proft and loss account
(b) Not balanced and also the balance is not transferred to the proft and loss
account
(c) Balanced and the balance is transferred to the balance sheet
(d) Not balanced and their balance is transferred to the proft and loss account.
[Ans: (i)-(a), (ii)-(c), (iii)-(a), (iv)-(b), (v)-(d)]
2.36
LEDGERS
CHAPTER - 2

Unit 3

Trial Balance
ACCOUNTING
PROCESS
TRIAL BALANCE
2.38
Learning Objectives
Understand what is trial balance and what purposes it can serve,
Learn the technique of taking balances from ledger accounts to prepare trial balance.
1. INTRODUCTION
Preparation of trial balance is the third phase in the accounting process. After posting the
accounts in the ledger, a statement is prepared to show separately the debit and credit balances.
Such a statement is known as the trial balance. It may also be prepared by listing each and every
account and entering in separate columns the totals of the debit and credit sides. Whichever way
it is prepared, the totals of the two columns should agree. An agreement indicates reasonable
accuracy of the accounting work; if the two sides do not agree, then there is simply an arithmetic
error(s).
This follows from the fact that under the Double Entry System, the amount written on the debit
sides of various accounts is always equal to the amounts entered on the credit sides of other
accounts and vice versa. Hence the totals of the debit sides must be equal to the totals of the credit
sides. Also total of the debit balances will be equal to the total of the credit balances. Once this
agreement is established, there is reasonable confdence that the accounting work is free from
clerical errors, though is not proof of cent per cent accuracy, because some errors of principle and
compensating errors may still remain. Generally, to check the arithmetic accuracy of accounts,
trial balance is prepared at monthly intervals. But because double entry system is followed, one
can prepare a trial balance any time. Though a trial balance can be prepared any time but it is
preferable to prepare it at the end of the accounting year to ensure the arithmetic accuracy of all
the accounts before the preparation of the fnancial statements. It may be noted that trial balance
is a statement and not an account.
2. OBJECTIVES OF PREPARING THE TRIAL BALANCE
The preparation of trial balance has the following objectives:
(i) Trial balance enables one to establish whether the posting and other accounting processes
have been carried out without committing arithmetical errors. In other words, the trial balance
helps to establish arithmetical accuracy of the books.
(ii) Financial statements are normally prepared on the basis of agreed trial balance; otherwise
the work may be cumbersome. Preparation of fnancial statements, therefore, is the second
objective.
(iii) The trial balance serves as a summary of what is contained in the ledger; the ledger may
have to be seen only when details are required in respect of an account.
The form of the trial balance is simple as shown below:
2.39
TRIAL BALANCE
as at.......................
S. No Ledger Accounts L.F. Dr. Amount Cr. Amount
(Total or Balance) (Total or Balance)
` `
The under mentioned points may be noted:
(i) A trial balance is prepared as on a particular date which should be mentioned at the top
(ii) In the second column the name of the account is written.
(iii) In the fourth column the total of the debit side of the account concerned or the debit balance,
if any is entered.
(iv) In the next column, the total of the credit side or the credit balance is written.
(v) The two columns are totalled at the end.
(vi) The frst and third column needs no explanation.
3. LIMITATIONS OF TRIAL BALANCE
One should note that the agreement of Trial Balance is not a conclusive proof of accuracy. In
other words, in spite of the agreement of the trial balance some errors may remain. These may
be of the following types:
(i) Transaction has not been entered at all in the journal.
(ii) A wrong amount has been written in both columns of the journal.
(iii) A wrong account has been mentioned in the journal.
(iv) An entry has not at all been posted in the ledger.
(v) Entry is posted twice in the ledger.
Still, the preparation of the trial balance is very useful; without it, the preparation of fnancial
statement, the proft and loss account and the balance sheet, would be diffcult.
4. METHODS OF PREPARATION OF TRIAL BALANCE
1. TOTAL METHOD
Under this method, every ledger account is totaled and that total amount (both of debit side
and credit side) is transferred to trial balance. In this method, trial balance can be prepared as
soon as ledger account is totaled. Time taken to balance the ledger accounts is saved under
this method as balance can be found out in the trial balance itself. The difference of totals of
each ledger account is the balance of that particular account. This method is not commonly
used as it cannot help in the preparation of the fnancial statements.
TRIAL BALANCE
2.40
Illustration 1
Given below is a ledger extract relating to the business of X and Co. as on March, 31, 2011. You
are required to prepare the Trial Balance by the Total Amount Method.
Cash Account
Dr. Cr.
Particulars ` Particulars `
To Capital A/c 10,000 By Furniture A/c 3,000
To Rams A/c 25,000 By Salaries A/c 2,500
To Cash Sales 500 By Shyams A/c 21,000
By Cash Purchases 1,000
By Capital A/c 500
By Balance c/d 7,500
35,500 35,500
Furniture Account
Dr. Cr.
To Cash A/c 3,000 By Balance c/d 3,000
3,000 3,000
Salaries Account
Dr. Cr.
To Cash A/c 2,500 By Balance c/d 2,500
2,500 2,500
Shyams Account
Dr. Cr.
To Cash A/c 21,000 By Purchases A/c 25,000
To Purchase Returns A/c 500 (Credit Purchases)
To Balance c/d 3,500
25,000 25,000
2.41
Purchases Account
Dr. Cr.
To Cash A/c (Cash Purchases) 1,000 By Balance c/d 26,000
To Sundries as per Purchases Book
(Credit Purchases) 25,000
26,000 26,000
Purchases Returns Account
Dr. Cr.
To Balance c/d 500 By Sundries as per Purchases
500 Return Book 500
Rams Account
Dr. Cr.
To Sales A/c (Credit Sales) 30,000 By Sales Returns A/c 100
By Cash A/c 25,000
By Balance c/d 4,900
30,000 30,000
Sales Account
Dr. Cr.
To Balance c/d 30,500 By Cash A/c (Cash Sales) 500
By Sundries as per Sales Book
(Credit sales) 30,000
30,500 30,500
Sales Returns Account
Dr. Cr.
To Sundries as per Sales
Returns Book 100 By Balance c/d 100
100 100
TRIAL BALANCE
2.42
Capital Account
Dr. Cr.
To Cash A/c 500 By Cash A/c 10,000
To Balance c/d 9,500
10,000 10,000
Solution
Trial Balance of X and Co. as at 31.03.2011
Sl. No. Name of Account Total Debit
Items
`
Total of
Credit Items
`
1. Cash A/c 35,500 28,000
2. Furniture A/c 3,000
3. Salaries A/c 2,500
4. Shyams A/c 21,500 25,000
5. Purchases A/c 26,000
6. Purchases Returns A/c 500
7. Rams A/c 30,000 25,100
8. Sales A/c 30,500
9. Sales Returns A/c 100
10. Capital A/c 500 10,000
1,19,100 1,19,100
2. BALANCE METHOD
Under this method, every ledger account is balanced and those balances only are carry forward to
the trial balance. This method is used commonly by the accountants and helps in the preparation
of the fnancial statements. Financial statements are prepared on the basis of the balances of the
ledger accounts.
Illustration 2
Taking the same information as given in Illustration 1, prepare the Trial Balance by Balance
Method.
2.43
Solution
Trial Balance of X and Co. as at 31.03.2011
Sl. No. Name of Account Debit Balance
`
Credit Balance
`
1. Cash A/c 7,500
2. Furniture A/c 3,000
3. Salaries A/c 2,500
4. Shyams A/c 3,500
5. Purchases A/c 26,000
6. Purchases Returns A/c 500
7. Rams A/c 4,900
8. Sales A/c 30,500
9. Sales Returns A/c 100
10. Capital A/c 9,500
44,000 44,000
3. TOTAL AND BALANCE METHOD
Under this method, the above two explained methods are combined. Under this method statement
of trial balance contains seven columns instead of fve columns. This has been explained with the
help of the following example:
Trial Balance of X as at 31.03.2011
Sl. No. Heads of Account L.F. Debit
Balance
(`)
Credit
Balance
(`)
Debit
Total
(`)
Credit
Total
(`)
1. Cash Account 7,500 35,500 28,000
2. Furniture Account 3,000 3,000
3. Salaries Account 2,500 2,500
4. Shyams Account 3,500 21,500 25,000
5. Purchases Account 26,000 26,000
6. Purchase Returns Account 500 500
7. Rams Account 4,900 30,000 25,100
8. Sales Account 30,500 30,500
9. Sale Returns Account 100 100
10. Capital Account 9,500 500 10,000
Total 44,000 44,000 1,19,100 1,19,100
TRIAL BALANCE
2.44
5. ADJUSTED TRIAL BALANCE (THROUGH SUSPENSE ACCOUNT)
If the trial balance do not agree after transferring the balance of all ledger accounts including
cash and bank balance and also errors are not located timely, then the trial balance is tallied by
transferring the difference of debit and credit side to an account known as suspense account.
This is a temporary account opened to proceed further and to prepare the fnancial statements
timely.
6. RULES OF PREPARING THE TRIAL BALANCE
While preparing the trial balance from the given list of ledger balances, following rules should
be taken into care:
1. The balances of all (i) assets accounts (ii) expenses accounts (iii) losses (iv) drawings (v) cash
and bank balances are placed in the debit column of the trial balance.
2. The balances of all (i) liabilities accounts (ii) income accounts (iii) profts (iv) capital are placed
in the credit column of the trial balance.
Illustration 3
From the following ledger balances, prepare a trial balance of Anuradha Traders as on 31st
March, 2011:
Account Head `
Capital 1,00,000
Sales 1,66,000
Purchases 1,50,000
Sales return 1,000
Discount allowed 2,000
Expenses 10,000
Debtors 75,000
Creditors 25,000
Investments 15,000
Cash at bank and in hand 37,000
Interest received on investments 1,500
Insurance paid 2,500
2.45
Solution
Trial Balance of Anuradha Traders as on 31.03.2011
Dr. balance ` Cr. balance `
Purchases 1,50,000 Capital 1,00,000
Sales return 1,000 Sales 1,66,000
Discount allowed 2,000 Creditors 25,000
Expenses 10,000 Interest received on investments 1,500
Debtors 75,000
Investments 15,000
Cash at bank and in hand 37,000
Insurance paid 2,500
Total 2,92,500 2,92,500
Illustration 4
One of your clients, Mr. Singhania has asked you to fnalise his accounts for the year ended 31st
March, 2011. Till date, he himself has recorded the transactions in books of accounts. As a basis
for audit, Mr. Singhania furnished you with the following statement.

Dr. Balance (`) Cr. Balance (`)
Singhanias Capital 1,556
Singhanias Drawings 564
Leasehold premises 750
Sales 2,750
Due from customers 530
Purchases 1,259
Purchases return 264
Loan from bank 256
Creditors 528
Trade expenses 700
Cash at bank 226
Bills payable 100
Salaries and wages 600
Stock (1.4.2010) 264
Rent and rates 463
Sales return 98
5,454 5,454
TRIAL BALANCE
2.46
The closing stock on 31st March, 2011 was valued at ` 574. Mr. Singhania claims that he has
recorded every transaction correctly as the trial balance is tallied. Check the accuracy of the above
trial balance.
Solution

Corrected Trial Balance of Mr. Singhania
as on 31st March, 2011
Particulars Dr.
Amount
`
Cr.
Amount
`
Singhanias Capital 1,556
Singhanias Drawings 564
Leasehold premises 750
Sales 2,750
Due from customers 530
Purchases 1,259
Purchases returns 264
Loan from Bank 256
Creditors 528
Trade expenses 700
Cash at Bank 226
Bills payable 100
Salaries and Wages 600
Stock (1.4.2010) 264
Rent and rates 463
Sales return 98
5,454 5,454
Reasons:
1. Due from customers is an asset, so its balance will be a debit balance.
2. Purchases return account always shows a credit balance because assets go out.
3. Creditor is a liability, so its balance will be a credit balance.
4. Bills payable is a liability, so its balance will be a credit balance.
5. Stock (opening) represents assets, so it will have a debit balance.
6. Sales return account always shows a debit balance because assets come in.
2.47
Illustration 5
An inexperienced bookkeeper has drawn up a Trial Balance for the year ended 30th June, 2011.
Dr. (`) Cr. (`)
Provision For Doubtful Debts 200
Bank Overdraft 1,654
Capital 4,591
Creditors 1,637
Debtors 2,983
Discount Received 252
Discount Allowed 733
Drawings 1,200
Offce Furniture 2,155
General Expenses 829
Purchases 10,923
Returns Inward 330
Rent & Rates 314
Salaries 2,520
Sales 16,882
Stock 2,418
Provision for Depreciation on Furniture 364
Total 24,983 25,002
Required:
Draw up a Corrected Trial Balance, debiting or crediting any residual errors to a Suspense
Account.
Solution
Trial Balance as on 30th June, 2011
Heads of Accounts Dr. ` Cr. `
Provision for Doubtful Debts 200
Bank overdraft 1,654
Capital 4,591
Creditors 1,637
Debtors 2,983
Discount Received 252
Discount allowed 733
Drawings 1,200
Offce furniture 2,155
General Expenses 829
Purchases 10,923
Returns Inward 330
Rent & Rates 314
Salaries 2,520
Stock 2,418
Provision for Depreciation on Furniture 364
Sales 16,882
Suspense Account (Balancing fgure) 1,175
Total 25,580 25,580
(i) A trial balance will not balance if
(a) Correct journal entry is posted twice.
(b) The purchase on credit basis is debited to purchases and credited to cash.
(c) ` 500 cash payment to creditors is debited to creditors for ` 50 and credited
to cash as ` 500.
(d) None of the above.
(ii) ` 1, 500 received from sub-tenant for rent and entered correctly in the cash book is posted
to the debit of the rent account. In the trial balance
(a) The debit total will be greater by ` 3,000 that the credit total.
(b) The debit total will be greater by ` 1,500 than the credit total.
(c) Subject to other entries being correct the total will agree.
(d) None of the above.
(iii) After the preparation of ledgers, the next step is the preparation of
(a) Trading accounts (b) Trial balance
(c) Proft and loss account (d) None of the above
(iv) After preparing the trial balance the accountant fnds that the total of debit side is short
by ` 1,500. This difference will be
(a) Credited to suspense account (b) Debited to suspense account
(c) Adjusted to any of the debit balance account
(d) Adjusted to any of the credit balance account
(v) S. No. Account heads Debit (`) Credit (`)
1. Sales 15,000
2. Purchases 10,000
3. Miscellaneous expenses 2,500
4. Salaries 2,500
Total 12,500 17,500
The difference in trial balance is due to
(a) Wrong placing of sales account (b) Wrong placing of salaries account
(c) Wrong placing of miscellaneous expenses account
(d) Wrong placing of all accounts
[Ans: (i)-(c), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(b), (iv)-(b), (v)-(b)]
TRIAL BALANCE
2.48

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CHAPTER - 2

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