Preparation of Financial statement, General-purpose financial statements

Preparing general-purpose financial statements; including the balance sheet, income statement, statement of retained earnings, and statement of cash flows; is the most important step in the accounting cycle because it represents the purpose of financial accounting.

Preparation of your financial statements is one of the last steps in the accounting cycle, using information from the previous statements to develop the current financial statement.

The preparation of financial statements involves the process of aggregating accounting information into a standardized set of financials. The completed financial statements are then distributed to management, lenders, creditors, and investors, who use them to evaluate the performance, liquidity, and cash flows of a business. The preparation of financial statements includes the following steps (the exact order may vary by company).

In other words, the concept financial reporting and the process of the accounting cycle are focused on providing external users with useful information in the form of financial statements. These statements are the end product of the accounting system in any company. Basically, preparing these statements is what financial accounting is all about.

Preparing general-purpose financial statements can be simple or complex depending on the size of the company. Some statements need footnote disclosures while other can be presented without any. Details like this generally depend on the purpose of the financial statements.

For instance, banks often want basic financials to verify a company can pay its debts, while the SEC required audited financial statements from all public companies.

Financial statements are prepared by transferring the account balances on the adjusted trial balance to a set of financial statement templates. We will discuss the financial statement form in the next section of the course.

Step 1: Verify Receipt of Supplier Invoices

Compare the receiving log to accounts payable to ensure that all supplier invoices have been received. Accrue the expense for any invoices that have not been received.

Step 2: Verify Issuance of Customer Invoices

Compare the shipping log to accounts receivable to ensure that all customer invoices have been issued. Issue any invoices that have not yet been prepared.

Step 3: Accrue Unpaid Wages

Accrue an expense for any wages earned but not yet paid as of the end of the reporting period.

Step 4: Calculate Depreciation

Calculate depreciation and amortization expense for all fixed assets in the accounting records.

Step 5: Value Inventory

Conduct an ending physical inventory count, or use an alternative method to estimate the ending inventory balance. Use this information to derive the cost of goods sold, and record the amount in the accounting records.

Step 6: Reconcile Bank Accounts

Conduct a bank reconciliation, and create journal entries to record all adjustments required to match the accounting records to the bank statement.

Step 7: Post Account Balances

Post all subsidiary ledger balances to the general ledger.

Step 8: Review Accounts

Review the balance sheet accounts, and use journal entries to adjust account balances to match the supporting detail.

Step 9: Review Financials

Print a preliminary version of the financial statements and review them for errors. There will likely be several errors, so create journal entries to correct them, and print the financial statements again. Repeat until all errors have been corrected.

Step 10: Accrue Income Taxes

Accrue an income tax expense, based on the corrected income statement.

Step 11: Close Accounts

Close all subsidiary ledgers for the period, and open them for the following reporting period.

Step I2: Issue Financial Statements

Print a final version of the financial statements. Based on this information, write footnotes to accompany the statements. Finally, prepare a cover letter that explains key points in the financial statements. Then assemble this information into packets and distribute them to the standard list of recipients.

Revenue recognition Certain Customer Right’s & Obligations

IFRS 15 specifies how and when an IFRS reporter will recognise revenue as well as requiring such entities to provide users of financial statements with more informative, relevant disclosures. The standard provides a single, principles based five-step model to be applied to all contracts with customers.

IFRS 15 was issued in May 2014 and applies to an annual reporting period beginning on or after 1 January 2018. On 12 April 2016, clarifying amendments were issued that have the same effective date as the standard itself.

Contracts with customers will be presented in an entity’s statement of financial position as a contract liability, a contract asset, or a receivable, depending on the relationship between the entity’s performance and the customer’s payment.

A contract liability is presented in the statement of financial position where a customer has paid an amount of consideration prior to the entity performing by transferring the related good or service to the customer.

Where the entity has performed by transferring a good or service to the customer and the customer has not yet paid the related consideration, a contract asset or a receivable is presented in the statement of financial position, depending on the nature of the entity’s right to consideration. A contract asset is recognised when the entity’s right to consideration is conditional on something other than the passage of time, for example future performance of the entity. A receivable is recognised when the entity’s right to consideration is unconditional except for the passage of time.

Contract assets and receivables shall be accounted for in accordance with IFRS. Any impairment relating to contracts with customers should be measured, presented and disclosed in accordance with IFRS 9. Any difference between the initial recognition of a receivable and the corresponding amount of revenue recognised should also be presented as an expense, for example, an impairment loss.

Disclosures

The disclosure objective stated in IFRS 15 is for an entity to disclose sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Therefore, an entity should disclose qualitative and quantitative information about all of the following:

  • Its contracts with customers;
  • The significant judgments, and changes in the judgments, made in applying the guidance to those contracts;
  • Any assets recognised from the costs to obtain or fulfil a contract with a customer.

Entities will need to consider the level of detail necessary to satisfy the disclosure objective and how much emphasis to place on each of the requirements. An entity should aggregate or disaggregate disclosures to ensure that useful information is not obscured.

In order to achieve the disclosure objective stated above, the Standard introduces a number of new disclosure requirements.

Need for Reconciliation

Reconciliation of Cost and Financial Accounts is process to find all the reasons behind disagreement in profit which is calculated as per cost accounts and as per financial accounts. There are lots of items which are shown in the profit and loss account only when we make it as per financial accounting rules. There are lots of items which are shown in costing profit and loss account only when we calculate profit as per cost accounting.

Suppose, we have taken the profit or loss as per financial accounts, we adjust it as per cost accounts. In the end of adjustments, we see same profit as per cost accounts. If we have taken profit as per cost account, we have to adjust items as per financial accounts. For this purpose, we make reconciliation Statement.

(a) Items included only in financial accounts

There are number of items which appear only in financial accounts, and not in cost accounts, since they neither do nor relate to the manufacturing activities, such as, Purely financial charges, reducing financial profit

  • Losses on capital assets
  • Stamp duty and expenses on issue and transfer of stock, shares and bonds
  • Loss on investments.
  • Discount on debentures, bonds, etc.
  • Fines and penalties,
  • Interest on bank loans.
  • Purely financial income, increasing financial profit
  • Rent received
  • Profit on sale of assets
  • Share transfer fee
  • Share premium
  • Interest on investment, bank deposits.
  • Dividends received.
  • Appropriation of profit donations and charities.

(b) Items included only in the cost accounts

There are very few items which appear in cost accounts, but not in financial accounts. Because, all expenditure incurred, whether for cash or credit, passes though the financial accounts, and only relevant expenses are incorporated in cost accounts. Hence, only item which can appear in cost accounts but not in financial accounts is a notional charge, such as:

(i) Interest on capital, which is not paid but included in cost accounts to show the notional cost of employing capital

(ii) Rent i.e. charging a notional rent of premises owned by the proprietor.

In those concerns where there are no separate cost and financial accounts, the problem of reconciliation does not arise. But where cost and financial accounts are maintained independent of each other, it is imperative that periodically two accounts are reconciled. Though both sets of books are concerned with the same basic transactions but the figure of profit disclosed by the former does not agree with that disclosed by the latter.

Thus, reconciliation between the results of the two sets of books is necessary due to the following reasons:

  1. To find out the reasons for the difference in the profit or loss in cost and financial accounts and to indicate the position clearly and to be sure that no mistakes pertaining to accounts have been committed.
  2. To ensure the mathematical accuracy and reliability of cost accounts in order to have cost ascertainment, cost control and to have a check on the financial accounts.
  3. To contribute to the standardisation of policies regarding stock valuation, depreciation and overheads.
  4. To facilitate coordination and promote better cooperation between the activities of financial and cost sections of the accounting department.
  5. To place management in better position to acquaint itself with the reasons for the variation in profits paving the way to more effective internal control.

Methods of Reconciliation:

Reconciliation of costing and financial profits can be attempted either:

(a) By preparing a Reconciliation Statement or

(b) By preparation a Memorandum Reconciliation Account.

Ledger accounts in the books of Transferor and Incorporation Entries in books of Transferee Company

When a company is amalgamated (or absorbed), it must close its books, transfer all assets and liabilities to the transferee, and settle accounts with shareholders.

📘 1. Realisation Account

Entry No. Particulars Journal Entry
1 Transfer of assets Realisation A/c Dr.
    To Asset A/c (Individually)
2 Transfer of liabilities Liability A/c Dr.
    To Realisation A/c
3 Sale of business to transferee company Transferee Company A/c Dr.
    To Realisation A/c
4 Realisation expenses paid (if any) Realisation A/c Dr.
    To Bank A/c
5 Profit/Loss transferred to shareholders If profit: Realisation A/c Dr.
    To Equity SH A/c
If loss: Equity SH A/c Dr.
    To Realisation A/c
Entry No. Particulars Journal Entry
6 For receiving purchase consideration Shares A/c / Bank A/c Dr.
    To Transferee Company A/c
Entry No. Particulars Journal Entry
7 Transfer of share capital and reserves Share Capital A/c Dr.
General Reserve A/c Dr.
P&L A/c Dr.
    To Equity SH A/c
8 Settlement with shareholders (in shares/cash) Equity SH A/c Dr.
    To Shares A/c / Bank A/c

These are initial entries made in the books of the transferee to record the takeover of business from the transferor company.

📗 1. For taking over Assets and Liabilities

Entry No. Particulars Journal Entry
1 For assets taken over Asset A/c (Individually) Dr.
    To Business Purchase A/c
2 For liabilities taken over Business Purchase A/c Dr.
    To Liabilities A/c (Individually)
Entry No. Particulars Journal Entry
3 If consideration is discharged by issue of shares Business Purchase A/c Dr.
    To Equity Share Capital A/c
4 If any consideration paid in cash Business Purchase A/c Dr.
    To Bank A/c
5 If shares issued at premium Business Purchase A/c Dr.
    To Equity Share Capital A/c
    To Securities Premium A/c
Entry No. Particulars Journal Entry
6 For preliminary/incorporation expenses Preliminary Expenses A/c Dr.
    To Bank A/c

In transferor’s books:

  • Realisation A/c → Transfers & closes assets/liabilities

  • Transferee Company A/c → Receives consideration

  • Equity Shareholders A/c → Settles owners’ claims

In transferee’s books:

  • Business Purchase A/c → Records net value acquired

  • Assets and Liabilities → Debited/credited as per agreement

  • Share Capital / Bank A/c → Settles purchase consideration

Insurance Accounting

A company’s property insurance, liability insurance, business interruption insurance, etc. often covers a one-year period with the cost (insurance premiums) paid in advance. The one-year period for the insurance rarely coincides with the company’s accounting year. Therefore, the insurance payments will likely involve more than one annual financial statement and many interim financial statements.

Prepaid Insurance vs. Insurance Expense

When the insurance premiums are paid in advance, they are referred to as prepaid. At the end of any accounting period, the amount of the insurance premiums that remain prepaid should be reported in the current asset account, Prepaid Insurance. The prepaid amount will be reported on the balance sheet after inventory and could part of an item described as prepaid expenses.

As the prepaid amount expires, the balance in Prepaid Insurance is reduced by a credit to Prepaid Insurance and a debit to Insurance Expense. This is done with an adjusting entry at the end of each accounting period (e.g. monthly). One objective of the adjusting entry is to match the proper amount of insurance expense to the period indicated on the income statement.

When a business suffers a loss that is covered by an insurance policy, it recognizes a gain in the amount of the insurance proceeds received. The most reasonable approach to recording these proceeds is to wait until they have been received by the company. By doing so, there is no risk of recording a gain related to a payment that is never received. An alternative is to record the gain as soon as the payment is probable and the amount of the payment can be determined; however, this constitutes a form of accrued revenue, and so is discouraged unless there is a high degree of certainty regarding the payment. If the gain is recorded prior to cash receipt, the offsetting debit to the gain is a receivable for expected insurance recoveries.

A gain from insurance proceeds should be recorded in a separate account if the amount is material, thereby clearly labeling the gain as being non-operational in nature. For example, the title of such an account could be “Gain from Insurance Claims.” Though a gain is being recorded, the likely total outcome of an insurance claim is a net loss, since the amount of such a claim is offset against the actual loss incurred, net of an insurance deductible.

Applicability of Accounting Standards:

While preparing Receipts and Payments Account, Profit and Loss Account and the Balance Sheet of the Insurance companies, the recommendations of Indian Accounting Standards (A3) framed by the ICAI should strictly be followed as far as practicable, to the General Insurance Company with the exception of

(i) AS 3 (Cash Flow Statement) to be prepared under Direct Method only.

(ii) AS 13 (Accounting for Investment) not to be taken into consideration.

(iii) AS 17 (Segment Reporting) to be applied in general without considering the class of Security.

Financial Statements of General Insurance Companies:

The financial statements of general insurance companies must be in conformity with the regulations of IRDA, Schedule B.

  1. Revenue Account (Form B-RA):

The Revenue Account of general insurance companies must be prepared in conformity with the regulations of IRDA, Regulations 2002, as per the requirements of Schedule B. It has already been stated above that separate Revenue Account is to be prepared for each individual unit i.e. for Marine, Fire, and Accident.

These individual revenue accounts will highlight the result of operation of each individual unit for a particular accounting period. It also reveals the incomes and expenditures of each individual unit. Like Revenue Account of a life insurance company, Revenue Account is prepared under Mercantile System of Accounting.

Items appearing in Revenue Account:

Premiums:

It has already been stated above that general insurance policies are issued for a short period, say, for a year. As a result, many of them may be unexpired at the end of the year. Therefore, the entire premium so received cannot be treated as an income for the current year only. A portion of that amount should be carried forward to the next year in order to cover the unexpired risks. This is what is known as Reserve for Unexpired Risks.

As per Schedule IIB of the IRDA the Reserve for Unexpired Risks should be provided for out of net premium so received as:

(a) 50% for Fire Insurance business;

(b) 50% for Miscellaneous Insurance business;

(c) 50% for Marine Insurance business other than Marine Hull business, and

(d) 100% for Marine Hull business.

In addition to the above, if any company wants to maintain more than this level, it can do so. The same is known as Additional Reserve.

2. Profit and Loss Account (Form B-Pl):

In order to find out the overall performance or results of the operating of general insurance business Profit and Loss Account of the General Insurance Companies is prepared. It also takes into account the income from investment by way of interest, dividend, Rent Profit/Loss on sale of investments. Provision for Taxations and Provision for Doubtful Debts, if any, should also be provided for.

Similarly, other expenses related to insurance business and bad debts written-off also will be adjusted to this account. However, appropriation section of Profit and Loss Account will contain payment of interim dividend; proposed dividend; transfer to any reserve i.e. appropriation items.

3. Balance Sheet (Form B-Bs):

The Balance Sheet of a general insurance company as per IRDA format is divided into two parts, viz. Source of Funds and Application of Funds. It is prepared in vertical form.

Sources of Funds:

It consists of:

(i) Share Capital (Schedule 5):

Various classes of Share Capital viz. Authorized Capital, Issued, Subscribed, Called-up and Paid up capital are separately shown.

(ii) Reserves & Surplus- (Schedule 6):

All kinds of reserves will appear under this head, viz. Securities Premium, Balance of Profit and Loss Account, General Reserve, Capital Redemption Reserve, Capital Reserve, etc.

(iii) Borrowings (Schedule 7):

Long term borrowings viz. Bonds, Debentures, Bank Loans, taken from various financial institutes will appear under this head.

Applications of Funds:

It consists of:

(i) Investments (Schedule 8):

All kinds of investments, whether long-term or short-term, will appear under this schedule.

(ii) Loans (Schedule 9):

Different kinds of loans clearly specified, viz. (a) Security-wise, Borrower-wise, performance-wise, and maturity-wise classification.

(iii) Fixed Assets (Schedule 10):

All fixed assets viz. Goodwill, Intangibles, Land and Building, Freehold/Leasehold Property, Furniture & Fixture, etc. will appear in this schedule.

(iv) Current Assets:

This section has two parts:

(a) Cash and Bank Balances (Schedule 11):

All cash and bank balances lying at Deposit Account and Current Account, Money-at-call and short notice etc. will appear in the Schedule.

(b) Advances and Other Assets (Schedule 12):

All advances (short-term) and other assets, if any, will appear in this Schedule.

(v) Current Liabilities (Schedule 14):

All current liabilities viz., Agents’ balances, Premium Received in Advance, Sundry Creditors, Claims Outstanding etc.

(vi) Provisions (Schedule 15):

All kinds of provisions viz., Reserve for Unexpired Risk; Provision for Taxation, Proposed Dividend, Others.

New Format for Financial Statement:

According to Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Preparation of Financial Statements and Auditors’ Report of Insurance Companies) Regulations, 2002, every general insurance company must prepare as per Schedule B of the Regulations the following three statements for preparation and presentation of financial statements:

For General Insurance:

  • Revenue Account: Form B-RA
  • Profit and Loss Account: Form B-PL
  • Balance Sheet: Form B-BS

Thus, in short, every general insurance company is required to prepare a Revenue Account (Form B-RA); Profit and Loss Account (Form B-PL) and Balance Sheet (Form B-BS).

Methods of Recoupment of Short Workings Fixed Method and Floating Method

Recoupment of Short workings refers to the process by which a tenant can recover the difference between the minimum rent (dead rent) and the actual royalty payment when production or output falls short. There are two primary methods for recouping short workings: the Fixed Method and the Floating Method. Each method has its unique characteristics, applications, and implications for both the landlord and the tenant.

Fixed Method

Fixed Method of recoupment involves a straightforward approach to recovering short workings. Under this method, the tenant is allowed to offset the short workings against future royalty payments based on a fixed formula. Here’s how it works:

When the actual royalty earned in a given period is less than the minimum rent due, the short workings are calculated as follows:

Short Workings = Minimum Rent − Actual Royalty Earned

For example, if the minimum rent is ₹100,000, and the actual royalty earned during the period is ₹70,000, the short workings would amount to ₹30,000.

Recoupment Process:

In subsequent periods, the tenant can recoup the short workings amount by reducing their royalty payments. The amount recouped each period is fixed and agreed upon in advance, meaning that the tenant can offset a specific portion of the short workings against their future royalty liabilities.

If, in the next period, the tenant earns ₹120,000 in royalty, they would pay only ₹90,000 (₹120,000 – ₹30,000) after recouping the short workings.

Advantages

  • Predictability:

The fixed amount allows both parties to predict future cash flows, making it easier for the tenant to manage cash flow and budgeting.

  • Simplicity:

The fixed method is straightforward to implement, requiring less complex calculations compared to other methods.

Disadvantages

  • Limited Flexibility:

This method can be restrictive for tenants with fluctuating output levels. If a tenant experiences significantly higher production levels in subsequent periods, they may prefer a more flexible recoupment approach.

  • Potential for Underpayment:

If the fixed recoupment is too conservative, the landlord may receive less than expected in royalties if production is consistently high.

Floating Method

Floating Method of recoupment offers more flexibility in recovering short workings by allowing the tenant to adjust the amount of short workings to be recouped based on actual production levels in future periods. This method takes a more dynamic approach compared to the fixed method.

Similar to the fixed method, short workings are calculated in the same manner. However, under the floating method, the tenant can recoup short workings based on a percentage of the output or sales in future periods. The tenant may adjust the recoupment amount depending on their actual performance.

For example, if a tenant has short workings of ₹30,000 and the actual royalty earned in the next period is ₹150,000, the tenant might decide to recoup a percentage of that amount instead of a fixed sum.

Recoupment Process:

The tenant can recoup a variable amount of short workings in future periods based on their revenue. This flexibility allows them to manage their cash flow according to their production capabilities. If the tenant earns ₹150,000 in royalties, they might recoup 50% of their short workings, amounting to ₹15,000, leaving them to pay ₹135,000.

Advantages:

  • Flexibility:

The floating method allows tenants to adjust the recoupment based on their financial performance, accommodating fluctuations in production or sales.

  • Maximized Payments:

Tenants can maximize their payments in high-production periods while still recovering short workings, ensuring that the landlord receives appropriate compensation based on actual usage.

Disadvantages:

  • Complexity:

The floating method requires more detailed tracking and calculations, which may lead to increased administrative costs for both parties.

  • Uncertainty for Landlords:

Landlords may face uncertainty regarding their cash flow, as recoupment amounts can vary significantly based on tenant performance.

Special terminologies in Royalty Accounts Landlord, Tenant, Output, Minimum Rent/Dead Rent, Short Workings, Recoupment of Short Workings

Royalty accounts refer to the financial records and statements that track royalty payments made by a licensee to a licensor for the use of intellectual property or natural resources. They ensure accurate accounting of revenues, expenses, and obligations.

  1. Landlord (Lessor)

Landlord, also known as the lessor, is the owner of the property, asset, or natural resource being leased. In royalty agreements, the landlord grants the tenant the right to extract resources (such as minerals or oil) or use intellectual property in exchange for royalty payments. The landlord benefits by receiving periodic payments based on the usage or output from the leased property or asset.

  1. Tenant (Lessee)

Tenant, also referred to as the lessee, is the party that obtains the right to use the landlord’s property, resource, or asset by making royalty payments. The tenant may be a company or an individual that uses the property or asset for activities like mining, production, or intellectual property usage. The tenant’s obligation is to pay royalties to the landlord based on an agreed formula, typically related to production or revenue.

  1. Output

Output refers to the total quantity of production or extraction that occurs from the resource or asset being leased. For example, in a mining operation, the output could refer to the quantity of minerals extracted from the mine. The royalty payments made by the tenant to the landlord are often calculated as a percentage of this output, or based on the revenue generated from the sale of the output.

  1. Minimum Rent (Dead Rent)

Minimum Rent, also known as Dead Rent, is the minimum amount of royalty the tenant must pay to the landlord, regardless of the level of production or output. Even if the output is low or zero, the tenant is obligated to pay this minimum amount. The purpose of dead rent is to ensure that the landlord receives a guaranteed payment, even during periods of low production. In years of high output, royalties are calculated based on production, but if production falls short, the tenant still pays the minimum rent.

  1. Short Workings

Short Workings occur when the actual royalty based on output is less than the minimum rent (dead rent) payable by the tenant. In such cases, the tenant is still required to pay the minimum rent, but the difference between the minimum rent and the actual royalty is referred to as short workings. Short workings can sometimes be recovered or adjusted in future periods if production increases.

  1. Recoupment of Short Workings

 Recoupment of Short Workings is a provision in royalty agreements that allows the tenant to recover or adjust the short workings against future royalty payments when output levels increase. If the actual royalty in subsequent periods exceeds the minimum rent, the tenant can offset the previous short workings by paying the lower royalty amount until the short workings are fully recouped. There is usually a time limit within which short workings can be recouped, beyond which they are considered irrecoverable.

Example:

Suppose the minimum rent is set at ₹100,000 per year, and the actual royalty based on output in a particular year is ₹80,000. The short workings will be ₹20,000 (₹100,000 – ₹80,000). If in the following year the royalty exceeds the minimum rent, say it is ₹120,000, the tenant can recoup the ₹20,000 short workings from the previous year and pay only ₹100,000.

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