What are ‘provisions’? How are they created? Give accounting treatment in case of provision for doubtful Debts.
According to the Companies Act the term ‘Provision’ refers to any of the following amounts :-
(a) The amount written off or retained by way of providing for depreciation renewals or diminution in value of assets; or
(b) The amount retained by way of providing for any known liability of which the amount cannot be determined with substantial accuracy.
E.g. A trader who sells on credit basis knows that some of the debtors of the current period would default and would not pay or would pay only partially. It is necessary to take into account such an expected loss while calculating true and fair profit/loss according to the principle of Prudence or Conservatism.
Therefore, the trader creates a provision for doubtful debts to take care of expected loss at the time of realization from debtors. In a similar way, provision for repairs and renewals may also be created to provide for expected repair and renewal of the fixed assets.
Examples of provisions are:-
(i) Provision for depreciation
(ii) Provision for bad and doubtful debts
(iii) Provision for taxation
(iv) Provision for discount on debtors
(v) Provision for repairs and renewals
Accounting Treatment for Doubtful Debts : First of all the amount of expected bad debts is ascertained which is posted in the debit side of P&L Account as new provision for doubtful debts is greater than new one, it will be shown in the credit side of P&L account and if the new provision is greater than the old one, the balance amount will be shown in the debit side of the P&L account. After that the amount of new provision will be deducted from the debtors figure in the assets side of the balance sheet.
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’.
Explain the concept of depreciation. What is the need for charging depreciation and what are the causes of depreciation?
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:
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?
State different kinds of transactions that increase and decrease capital.
The book in which all accounts are maintained is known as:
(i) Cash Book
(ii) Journal
(iii) Purchases Book
(iv) Ledger
If a transaction is properly analysed and recorded:
(a) Only two accounts will be used to record the transaction.
(b) One account will be used to record transaction.
(c) One account balance will increase and another will decrease.
(d) Total amount debited will equals total amount credited.
Explain the double entry mechanism with an illustrative example.
What is petty cash book? Write the advantages of petty cash book?
Does debit always mean increase and credit always mean decrease?
Which qualitative characteristics of accounting information is reflected when accounting information is clearly presented?
a. Understandability
b. Relevance
c. Comparability
d. Reliability
What is the primary reason for the business students and others to familiarise themselves with the accounting discipline?
Why is it important to adopt a consistent basis for the preparation of financial statements? Explain.
List any five users who have indirect interest in accounting.