- Meaning: Current Assets are assets expected to be realised or converted into cash within 12 months or within the operating cycle.
- Types: Classified into Current Investments, Inventories, Trade Receivables, Cash & Bank Balance, Short-term Loans & Advances, and Other Current Assets.
- Inventories: Includes raw materials, WIP, finished goods, stock-in-trade, spares, tools, and goods-in-transit held for trade or production.
- Trade Receivables: Amounts receivable from customers for goods/services sold; includes debtors and bills receivable, shown net of provisions.
- Other Current Assets: Includes prepaid expenses, dividend receivable, interest accrued, and advance taxes not covered under other heads.
Definitions [2]
Definition: Financial Statements
- "Financial Statements are the end product of financial accounting prepared by the accounts of a business enterprise that purport to reveal the financial position of the enterprise, the result of its recent activities and an analysis of what has been done with earnings." - Smith and Ashburne
- "The Financial Statements are a summary of accounts of a business enterprise, the Balance Sheet showing the assets, liabilities and capital as on a certain date and income statement showing the results, i.e., profit or loss for the period." - John N. Myer
- "The Statements which are prepared by the business to find out profitability, efficiency, solvency, growth of business to judge the financial strength and status are called as Financial Statements."
Definition: Operating Cycle
Operating Cycle is defined in Schedule III of the Companies Act, 2013, as follows:
"Operating Cycle is the time between the acquisition of an asset for processing and its realisation in Cash and Cash Equivalents. Where the normal operating cycle cannot be identified, it is assumed to have a duration of 12 months."
Key Points
Key Points: Financial Statements
- Meaning & Parts: Show a business’s profit and financial position. Include Balance Sheet, P&L A/c, Cash Flow, Equity Statement, and Notes.
- Purpose: Provide a true and fair view to help users make informed decisions.
- Features: Based on past data, in monetary terms. A balance sheet is for a date; a P&L is for a period. Must be verifiable, relevant, understandable, and comparable.
- Nature: Influenced by facts, accounting concepts, conventions, standards, and judgments.
- Legal Requirement: As per the Companies Act, 2013, companies must prepare them yearly in the prescribed format (Schedule III).
Format: Company's Balance Sheet
BALANCE SHEET as at
| Particulars | Note No. | ₹ |
|---|---|---|
| I. EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | ||
| 1. Shareholders’ Funds | ||
| (a) Share Capital | ... | |
| (b) Reserves and Surplus | ... | |
| (c) Money Received Against Share Warrants | ... | |
| 2. Share Application Money Pending Allotment | ... | |
| 3. Non-Current Liabilities | ||
| (a) Long-term Borrowings | ... | |
| (b) Deferred Tax Liabilities (Net) | ... | |
| (c) Other Long-term Liabilities | ... | |
| (d) Long-term Provisions | ... | |
| 4. Current Liabilities | ||
| (a) Short-term Borrowings | ... | |
| (b) Trade Payables | ... | |
| (c) Other Current Liabilities | ... | |
| (d) Short-term Provisions | ... | |
| Total | ... | |
| II. ASSETS | ||
| 1. Non-Current Assets | ||
| (a) Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangible Assets | ||
| (i) Property, Plant and Equipment | ... | |
| (ii) Intangible Assets | ... | |
| (iii) Capital Work-in-Progress | ... | |
| (iv) Intangible Assets under Development | ... | |
| (b) Non-Current Investments | ... | |
| (c) Deferred Tax Assets (Net) | ... | |
| (d) Long-term Loans and Advances | ... | |
| (e) Other Non-Current Assets | ... | |
| 2. Current Assets | ||
| (a) Current Investments | ... | |
| (b) Inventories | ... | |
| (c) Trade Receivables | ... | |
| (d) Cash and Bank Balance | ... | |
| (e) Short-term Loans and Advances | ... | |
| (f) Other Current Assets | ... | |
| Total | ... |
Difference Between Company's Balance Sheet and Firm's Balance Sheet
| Basis | Company’s Balance Sheet | Firm’s Balance Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Format & Contents | As per Schedule III of the Companies Act, 2013 | No prescribed format |
| Previous Year Figures | Must show the previous year’s figures | Not mandatory |
| Order | Prepared in order of permanence | Can be in order of permanence or liquidity |
| Format Type | Prepared in vertical form | Generally prepared in horizontal form |
Key Points: Equity and Liabilities
- Classification: As per Schedule III of the Companies Act, 2013, liabilities are classified into two parts – Equity and Liabilities.
- Equity: It refers to shareholders' funds, including Share Capital, Reserves & Surplus, and Money received against share warrants.
- Share Capital: Includes Equity Share Capital and Preference Share Capital.
- Liabilities: Refers to external obligations of the company towards outsiders.
- Special Item: Share Application Money Pending Allotment is shown between Shareholders’ Funds and Non-current Liabilities.
Difference Between Authorised Capital and Issued Capital
| Basis | Authorised Capital | Issued Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Maximum capital a company can issue | Part of authorised capital offered to public |
| Disclosure | Stated in the Memorandum of Association | Stated in the Articles of Association |
| Limit | It is equal to or more than the issued capital. | It is equal to or less than the authorised capital. |
Key Points: Share Capital of a Company
- Share Capital is the total money raised by issuing shares, representing ownership in the company.
- Authorised Capital is the maximum amount a company can issue, as stated in its Memorandum of Association.
- Issued Capital is the part of the authorised capital offered to the public for subscription.
- Subscribed Capital is the portion of issued capital that investors agree to take.
- Called-up Capital is the amount demanded by the company, and Paid-up Capital is what shareholders actually pay; the difference is called Calls-in-Arrears.
- Reserve Capital is the part of subscribed capital to be called only during winding up.
- A Prospectus invites the public to buy shares, and the company must receive at least 90% subscription before allotting shares.
Format: Disclosure of Share Capital in a Company's Balance sheet
BALANCE SHEET OF...
as at
| Particulars | Note No. | ₹ |
|---|---|---|
| I. EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | ||
| 1. Shareholders’ Funds | ||
| (a) Share Capital | 1 | ... |
Format: Notes to Account of Share Capital
Note to Accounts
| Particulars | ₹ |
|---|---|
| 1. Share Capital | |
| Authorised Capital | |
| ... Equity Shares of ₹ ... each | ... |
| ... % Preference Shares of ₹ ... each | ... |
| Total Authorised Capital | ... |
| Issued Capital | |
| ... Equity Shares of ₹ ... each | ... |
| ... % Preference Shares of ₹ ... each | ... |
| Total Issued Capital | ... |
| Subscribed Capital | |
| Subscribed and fully paid-up: | |
| ... Equity Shares of ₹ ... each | ... |
| ... % Preference Shares of ₹ ... each | ... |
| Total Subscribed and Fully Paid-up | ... |
| Subscribed but not fully paid-up: | |
| ... Equity Shares of ₹ ... each, ₹ ... called-up | ... |
| Less: Calls-in-Arrears | (… ) |
| ... % Preference Shares of ₹ ... each, ₹ ... called-up | ... |
| Less: Calls-in-Arrears | (… ) |
| Total Subscribed but Not Fully Paid-up | ... |
| Add: Forfeited Shares Account | ... |
| Amount to be shown in the Balance Sheet against Share Capital | ... |
Journal Entries: For Appropriation of Profit
Surplus,i.e., Balance in Statement of Profit & Loss A/c ...Dr.
To Debentures Redemption Reserve A/c
To General Reserve A/c
(Being the profit appropriation towards DRR and General Reserve)
Key Points: Reserves and Surplus
- Classification: Reserves and Surplus include Capital Reserve, Capital Redemption Reserve, Securities Premium, Debenture Redemption Reserve, Revaluation Reserve, Share Options Outstanding A/c, Other Reserves, and Surplus from Profit & Loss A/c.
- Securities Premium Use (Sec 52): Can be used for bonus shares, writing off preliminary/issue expenses, redemption of shares/debentures, and buy-back of securities.
- Share Options Outstanding A/c: Records compensation to employees for stock options at a future date below market value.
- Surplus (P&L): Shows profit after appropriations like dividends, reserves, etc. Appropriations must be shown in the Notes to Accounts.
- Negative Balance: If P&L shows a loss, it is still shown under ‘Surplus’ as a negative figure in the Balance Sheet.
Format: Notes to Accounts of Reserves and Surplus
Notes to Accounts
| NOTES TO RESERVE AND SURPLUS | ₹ | ₹ |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Capital Reserve | ........ | |
| (2) Securities Premium Reserve | ........ | |
| (3) General Reserve | ........ | |
| (4) Surplus : | ||
| Last year’s Surplus | ........ | |
| Add: Current year’s Surplus (i.e., Profit for the current year) | ........ | |
| Add: Transfer from Reserve (if any) | ........ | |
| Add: Adjustments relating to past years (e.g., tax savings) | ........ | |
| Less: Transfer to Reserves: | ||
| 1. Transfer to General Reserve | ........ | |
| 2. Transfer to Development Rebate Reserve | ........ | |
| 3. Transfer to Dividend Equalisation Reserve | ........ | |
| 4. Transfer to Debenture Redemption Fund etc. | ........ | |
| Less: Adjustments relating to past years (e.g., Depreciation arrears) | ........ | |
| Less: Interim Dividend on Equity Shares | ........ | |
| Closing Balance of Surplus carried to Balance Sheet under the head 'Reserve and Surplus' | ........ | ........ |
Format: Notes to Accounts of Securities Premium
Note to Accounts
| Particulars | ₹ | ₹ |
|---|---|---|
| Securities Premium — Opening Balance | ... | |
| Add: Premium received during the year | ... | |
| ... | ||
| Less: Discount/Loss on Issue of Debentures Written Off | ... | |
| Preliminary Expenses Written Off | ... | |
| Premium Payable on Redemption of Preference Shares/Debentures Written Off | ... | |
| Fully paid bonus shares issued | ... | |
| Purchase (Buy-back) of own securities | ... | ... |
| ... |
Key Points: Money Received Against Share Warrants
- A share warrant gives the holder the right to buy equity shares at a future date and fixed price.
- The money received is considered part of shareholders' funds as the shares will be issued later.
- It is not treated as share capital and is shown as a separate line item in the Balance Sheet.
- Represents advances received from potential shareholders before actual share allotment.
- Shown under the main head "Shareholders' Funds"; no sub-head is used.
Key Points: Share Application Money Pending Allotment
- It is the amount received for shares before the allotment date, which falls after the Balance Sheet date.
- This money is not refundable and is shown as Share Application Money Pending Allotment.
- If more money is received than the number of shares issued, the excess refundable amount is shown under Other Current Liabilities.
- It applies only to the amount within issued capital and is not refundable.
- Placement in Balance Sheet: Shown as a line item between Shareholders' Funds and Non-Current Liabilities.
Key Points: Current Liabilities - Based on Operating Cycle
- Meaning: Operating Cycle is the time between the acquisition of assets for processing and their realisation in cash or cash equivalents.
- Default Duration: If the operating cycle can't be identified, it is assumed to be 12 months.
- Example: If the cycle is 13 months (e.g., raw materials 3M + production 4M + inventory 2M + receivables 4M), the entire 13M is considered the operating cycle.
- Current Liabilities: A liability is treated as current if it is due for settlement within the operating cycle or within 12 months, whichever is longer.
- No Right to Defer: If the company cannot unconditionally defer settlement for 12 months from the balance sheet date, the liability is also classified as current.
Key Points: Non-Current Liabilities
- Non-Current Liabilities are those payable after 12 months from the Balance Sheet date or beyond the operating cycle.
- Shown under the head "Non-Current Liabilities" in the Balance Sheet as per Schedule III of the Companies Act, 2013.
- It includes:
- Long-term Borrowings – Debentures, term loans, public deposits.
- Deferred Tax Liabilities – When accounting income is more than taxable income.
- Other Long-term Liabilities – Dues payable after 12 months (e.g. long-term trade payables).
- Long-term Provisions – For future expenses like gratuity, leave, and warranties.
Key Points: Current Liabilities
- Meaning: Liabilities payable within 12 months or within the operating cycle (whichever is longer) are treated as current liabilities.
- Types: Current liabilities are classified into Short-term Borrowings, Trade Payables, Other Current Liabilities, and Short-term Provisions.
- Short-term Borrowings: Includes loans repayable on demand, bank overdrafts, cash credits, deposits, and current maturities of long-term debt.
- Other Current Liabilities: Includes interest accrued (due or not due), unpaid dividends, excess application money, calls-in-advance, and unpaid matured deposits or debentures.
- Short-term Provisions: Made for liabilities expected within 12 months, like employee benefits, taxes, and expenses. If the amount is uncertain, it is considered a provision, not a liability.
Key Points: Current Assets - Based on Operating Cycle
- Meaning: The Operating Cycle is the time between buying assets for processing and converting them into cash or cash equivalents.
- Default Duration: If not clearly identifiable, the operating cycle is assumed to be 12 months.
- Classification Rule: Assets expected to be realised within the operating cycle or within 12 months from the Balance Sheet date are classified as Current Assets.
- Held for Trading: Assets held primarily for trading (like inventory or shares) are always Current Assets.
- Cash & Cash Equivalents: These are Current Assets, unless restricted for more than 12 months to settle a liability, in which case they become Non-Current Assets.
Key Points: Non-Current Assets
- Non-Current Assets are long-term assets not meant for resale, used for business operations.
- Major types include Property, Plant & Equipment, Intangible Assets, Non-Current Investments, Deferred Tax Assets, Long-term Loans & Advances, and Other Non-Current Assets.
- Intangible Assets have no physical form and include software, patents, franchises, mining rights, etc.
- Capital Work-in-Progress includes tangible assets under construction, not yet ready for use.
- Other Non-Current Assets include long-term trade receivables, security deposits, and insurance claims.
Comparison Between Kinds of Assets
| Item | Property, Plant and Equipment | Intangible Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Existence | Have physical form (can be seen/touched) | No physical form (can't be seen/touched) |
| Depreciation / Amortisation | Depreciated | Amortised |
| Consideration | Purchased or made by the company | Purchased or developed by the company |
Key Points: Current Assets
Key Points: Contingent Liabilities and Commitments
- Contingent Liabilities are possible future obligations shown in Notes, not in books.
- Examples: claims not acknowledged as debt, discounted bills, proposed dividends, and guarantees.
- Capital Commitments are future expenses for which contracts are already made.
- Examples: uncalled share amounts, pending capital contracts, and unpaid preference dividends.
- Both are disclosed in Notes to Accounts, not recorded in the Balance Sheet.
Format: Statement of Profit & Loss
FORMAT OF STATEMENT OF PROFIT AND LOSS
Name of the Company............................
Profit and loss statement for the year ended..............................
| Particulars | Note No. | Figures for the current reporting period | Figures for the previous reporting period |
|---|---|---|---|
| I. Revenue from operations | xxx | xxx | |
| II. Other Income | xxx | xxx | |
| III. Total Income (I + II) | xxx | xxx | |
| IV. Expenses: | |||
| Cost of materials consumed | xxx | xxx | |
| Purchases of Stock-in-Trade | xxx | xxx | |
| Changes in inventories of finished goods, work-in-progress and Stock-in-Trade | xxx | xxx | |
| Employee benefits expenses | xxx | xxx | |
| Finance costs | xxx | xxx | |
| Depreciation and amortisation expenses | xxx | xxx | |
| Other expenses | xxx | xxx | |
| Total expenses | xxx | xxx | |
| V. Profit before Tax (III – IV) | xxx | xxx | |
| VI. Less: Tax | (xxx) | (xxx) | |
| VII. Profit after Tax (V – VI) | xxx | xxx |
Difference Between Provision and Reserve
| Basis | Provision | Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Liability or asset reduction | Shareholders' money |
| Purpose | For specific loss/expense | For specific or general use |
| Charge vs. Appropriation | Charged to profit | Appropriated from profit |
| Disclosure in Financial Statement | Shown as an expense in P&L | Shown under Shareholders' Funds |
| Disclosure in Balance Sheet | Under Provisions or asset deduction | Under 'Reserves & Surplus' |
| Investment Outside Business | Not allowed | Allowed (as fund) |
| Legal Requirement | Legally required | Based on prudence |
| Necessity | Mandatory even without profit | Created only if profits exist |
| Utilisation for Dividends | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Utilisation for Other Purposes | Only for the loss provided | Can be used for any purpose |
Difference Between Revenue Reserves and Capital Reserves
| Basis | Revenue Reserves | Capital Reserves |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Created from revenue profits of normal operations. | Created from capital profits, not from normal operations. |
| Usage | Can be used freely, including for dividend distribution. | Not usually for dividends; allowed only under certain conditions. |
| Purpose | For unforeseen losses and to strengthen the financial position. | To meet capital losses or as per the Companies Act. |
Important Questions [1]
Concepts [21]
- Concept of Financial Statements
- Format of Company's Balance Sheet
- Difference Between Company's Balance Sheet and Firm's Balance Sheet
- Contents of Balance Sheet> Equity and Liabilities
- Shareholder's Fund> Share Capital of a Company
- Disclosure of Share Capital in a Company's Balance Sheet
- Shareholders' Fund> Reserves and Surplus
- Shareholders' Fund> Money Received Against Share Warrants
- Equity and Liabilities> Share Application Money Pending Allotment
- Current Liabilities – Based on Operating Cycle
- Equity and Liabilities> Non-Current Liabilities
- Equity and Liabilities> Current Liabilities
- Contents of Balance Sheet> Assets
- Current Assets – Based on Operating Cycle
- Assets> Non-Current Assets
- Assets> Current Assets
- Contingent Liabilities and Commitments
- Statement of Profit and Loss
- Provisions and Reserves
- Types of Reserves
- Examples on Financial Statements
