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Trading and Profit & Loss Account

"From sales to net profit - the journey through final accounts."

After learning the introduction to final accounts, let's dive deep into Trading Account and Profit & Loss Account preparation with adjustments.

The Flow

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Trading Account - Detailed Format

Dr.          Trading Account for Year Ending 31st March 202X          Cr.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Particulars                    | Amount (₹) || Particulars              | Amount (₹)
-------------------------------|------------||--------------------------|------------
To Opening Stock               | XX,XXX     || By Sales                 | X,XX,XXX
To Purchases           XX,XXX  |            || Less: Sales Returns      |   (X,XXX)
Less: Purchase Returns (X,XXX) |   XX,XXX   || Net Sales                |            X,XX,XXX
Net Purchases                  |            ||                          |
To Direct Expenses:            |            || By Closing Stock         |    XX,XXX
  - Wages                      |  X,XXX     ||                          |
  - Carriage Inward            |  X,XXX     ||                          |
  - Factory Rent               |  X,XXX     ||                          |
  - Power & Fuel               |  X,XXX     ||                          |
  - Octroi/Import Duty         |  X,XXX     ||                          |
  - Clearing Charges           |  X,XXX     ||                          |
To Gross Profit c/d            | XX,XXX     ||                          |
  (transferred to P&L)         |            ||                          |
-------------------------------|------------||--------------------------|------------
Total                          |X,XX,XXX    || Total                    | X,XX,XXX

Direct vs Indirect Expenses

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Profit & Loss Account - Detailed Format

Dr.        Profit & Loss Account for Year Ending 31st March 202X       Cr.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Particulars                    | Amount (₹) || Particulars              | Amount (₹)
-------------------------------|------------||--------------------------|------------
To Gross Loss b/d (if any)     |   XX,XXX   || By Gross Profit b/d      |   XX,XXX
To Operating Expenses:         |            || By Other Incomes:        |
  - Salaries                   |  XX,XXX    ||   - Commission Received  |    X,XXX
  - Office Rent                |  XX,XXX    ||   - Discount Received    |    X,XXX
  - Insurance                  |   X,XXX    ||   - Interest Received    |    X,XXX
  - Printing & Stationery      |   X,XXX    ||   - Rent Received        |    X,XXX
  - Advertising                |   X,XXX    ||   - Profit on sale of    |
  - Traveling Expenses         |   X,XXX    ||     assets               |    X,XXX
  - Bad Debts                  |   X,XXX    ||                          |
  - Depreciation               |  XX,XXX    ||                          |
  - Repairs                    |   X,XXX    ||                          |
To Non-Operating Expenses:     |            ||                          |
  - Interest on Loan           |   X,XXX    ||                          |
  - Loss on sale of assets     |   X,XXX    ||                          |
To Net Profit                  |  XX,XXX    ||                          |
  (transferred to Capital)     |            ||                          |
-------------------------------|------------||--------------------------|------------
Total                          | X,XX,XXX   || Total                    | X,XX,XXX

Common Adjustments

1. Outstanding Expenses

Adjustment: Salary outstanding ₹5,000

Treatment:

  • P&L: Add ₹5,000 to Salary
  • Balance Sheet: Show ₹5,000 as liability (Outstanding Salary)

2. Prepaid Expenses

Adjustment: Insurance prepaid ₹3,000

Treatment:

  • P&L: Deduct ₹3,000 from Insurance
  • Balance Sheet: Show ₹3,000 as asset (Prepaid Insurance)

3. Accrued Income

Adjustment: Interest accrued ₹2,000

Treatment:

  • P&L: Add ₹2,000 to Interest Received
  • Balance Sheet: Show ₹2,000 as asset (Accrued Interest)

4. Income Received in Advance

Adjustment: Commission received in advance ₹4,000

Treatment:

  • P&L: Deduct ₹4,000 from Commission Received
  • Balance Sheet: Show ₹4,000 as liability (Unearned Commission)

5. Closing Stock

Adjustment: Closing stock ₹50,000

Treatment:

  • Trading A/c: Credit side (Dr. Stock A/c, Cr. Trading A/c)
  • Balance Sheet: Show ₹50,000 as asset (Closing Stock)

6. Depreciation

Adjustment: Depreciate machinery @ 10% on ₹1,00,000

Treatment:

  • P&L: Add ₹10,000 as Depreciation expense
  • Balance Sheet: Show Machinery at ₹90,000 (or with provision)

Comprehensive Example


Important Points

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Common Exam Questions

Q1: "Where does carriage outward appear?"
A: Profit & Loss Account (indirect expense - selling expense)

Q2: "Closing stock appears in which accounts?"
A: Trading Account (credit side) AND Balance Sheet (asset)

Q3: "What is the treatment of outstanding wages?"
A: Add to Wages in Trading A/c, show as liability in Balance Sheet


Quiz: Trading and P&L Account

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