Explain the concept of depreciation. What is the need for charging depreciation and what are the causes of depreciation?
Depreciation may be described as a permanent, continuing and gradual shrinkage in the book value of fixed assets. It is based on the cost of assets consumed in a business and not on its market value.
Every business acquires fixed assets for its use in the business over a period of time. As the benefits of these assets can be availed over a long period of time (due to their regular use), there exists continuous wear and tear and consequently fall in their value. This fall in the value of fixed assets (due to regular use or expiry of time) is termed as depreciation. A machinery that costs Rs 1,00,000 and its useful life of 10 years, its depreciation will be calculated as:
To ascertain true net profit or net loss: Correct profit or loss can be ascertained when all the expenses and losses incurred for earning revenues are charged to the profit and loss account. Assets are used for earning revenues and its cost is charged in the form of depreciation from profit and loss accounts.
To show a true and fair view of financial statements: If depreciation is not charged, assets are shown at higher value than their actual value in the balance sheet; consequently, the balance sheet does not reflect the true view of financial statements.
For ascertaining the accurate cost of production: Depreciation on plant and machinery and other assets, which are engaged in production, is included in the cost of production. If depreciation is not included, cost of production is underestimated, which will lead to low sale price and thus lead to low profit.
Distribution of dividend out of profit: If depreciation is not charged, which leads to over estimating of profit & consequently more profit is distributed as dividend, out of capital instead of the profit. This leads to the flight of scarce capital out of the business.
To provide funds for replacement of assets: Unlike other expenses, depreciation is not a cash expense. So, the amount of depreciation charged will be retained in the business and will be used for replacement of fixed assets after its useful life.
Consideration of tax: If depreciation is charged, then the profit and loss account will disclose less profit as to when the depreciation is not charged. This depicts reduced profit and thus the business will be liable for lesser tax amount.
The causes for depreciation:
Constant use: Due to constant use of the fixed assets there exists normal wear and tear that leads to fall in the value of fixed assets.
Expiry of time: With the passage of time, whether assets are used or not, its effective life decreases. The natural forces like rain, weather, etc. lead to deterioration of the fixed assets.
Obsolescence: Due to the fast technological innovations and inventions today’s assets may be outdated by tomorrow’s sophisticated assets. This leads to the obsolescence of fixed assets.
Expiry of legal rights: If an asset is acquired for a specific period of time, then, whether the asset is put to use or not, its value becomes zero at the end of its useful life.
Accident: An asset may lose its value and damage may happen to it due to mishaps such as a fire accidents, theft or a natural calamity. The loss due to accidents is permanent in nature.
State whether the following statements are true or false:
State briefly the need for providing depreciation.
Give four examples each of ‘revenue reserve’ and ‘capital reserves’.
Give four examples each of ‘provision’ and ‘reserves’.
What are the effects of depreciation on profit and loss account and balance sheet?
Name and explain different types of reserves in detail.
State with reasons whether the following statements are True or False ;
(i) Making excessive provision for doubtful debits builds up the secret reserve in the business.
(ii) Capital reserves are normally created out of free or distributable profits.
(iii) Dividend equalisation reserve is an example of general reserve.
(iv) General reserve can be used only for some specific purposes.
(v) ‘Provision’ is a charge against profit.
(vi) Reserves are created to meet future expenses or losses the amount of which is not certain.
(vii) Creation of reserve reduces taxable profits of the business.
Discuss in detail the straight line method and written down value method of depreciation. Distinguish between the two and also give situations where they are useful.
Basaria Confectioner bought a cold storage plant on July 01, 2014 for ₹ 1,00,000. Compare the amount of depreciation charged for first three years using:
Distinguish between ‘general reserve’ and ‘specific reserve’.
Name any two types of commonly used negotiable instruments.
Why is it necessary to record the adjusting entries in the preparation of final accounts?
State the meaning of incomplete records?
Briefly state how the cash book is both journal and a ledger.
State the meaning of a trial balance?
State the four basic requirements of a database applications.
Define accounting.
State the different elements of a computer system.
Why is it necessary for accountants to assume that business entity will remain a going concern?
State the need for the preparation of bank reconciliation statement?
Name the parties to a promissory note.
Give the Performa of income statement and balance in vertical form.
Fill in the blanks:
1. Issued a cheque for ₹8,000 to pay rent. The account to be debited is ............
2. Collected ₹35,000 from debtors. The account to be credited is ............
3. Purchased office stationary for ₹18,000. The account to be credited is ...........
4. Purchased new machine for ₹1,70,000 and issued cheque for the same.
The account to be debited is ............
5. Issued cheque for ₹70,000 to pay off on of the creditors. The account to be debited is ............
6. Returned damaged office stationary and received ₹50,000. The account to be credited is ............
7. Provided services for ₹65,000 on credit. The account to be debited is ...........
Record the rectification entry for the following transactions:
Credit sales to Rajni 5,000 recorded in Purchases book:
This is an error of ..........................................
State the wrong entry recorded in the book of accounts
Correct effect should have been:
The rectification entry will be:
Choose the Correct Answer
During the life-time of an entity accounting produce financial statements in accordance with which basic accounting concept :
(a) Conservation
(b) Matching
(c) Accounting period
(d) None of the above
Tick the Correct Answer
Which of the following is not a business transaction?
a. Bought furniture of ₹ 10,000 for business
b. Paid for salaries of employees ₹ 5,000
c. Paid sons fees from her personal bank account ₹ 20,000
d. Paid sons fees from the business ₹ 2,000
Fill in the correct words :
1. The user oriented programmes designed and developed for performing certain specific tasks are called as ...........
2. Language syntax is checked by software called as ...........
3. The people who write programmes to implement the data processing system design are called as ...........
4. ........... is the brain of the computer.
5. ........... and ........... are two of the important requirements of an accounting report.
6. An example of responsibility report is ...........
List any five users who have indirect interest in accounting.
Define the purpose of maintaining subsidiary journal.
State the limitations of trial balance?