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Business Entity Concept
This concept explains that the business is distinct from the proprietor. Thus, the transactions of business
only are to be recorded in the books of business.
For example, Mr A starts a new business in the name and style of M/s Independent Trading Company and introduced a capital of Rs 2,00,000 in cash. It means the cash balance of M/s Independent Trading Company will increase by a sum of Rs 2,00,000/-. At the same time, the liability of M/s Independent Trading Company in the form of capital will also increase. It means M/s Independent Trading Company is liable to pay Rs 2,00,000 to Mr A.
Going Concern Concept
This concept assumes that the business has a perpetual succession or continued existence.
For example, a business unit makes investments in the form of fixed assets and we book only depreciation of the assets in our profit & loss account; not the difference of acquisition cost of assets less net realizable value of the assets. The reason is simple; we assume that we will use these assets and earn profit in the future while using them. Similarly, we treat deferred revenue expenditure and prepaid expenditure. The concept of going concern does not work in the following cases:
- If a unit is declared sick (unused or unusable unit).
- When a company is going to liquidate and a liquidator is appointed for the same.
- When a business unit is passing through severe financial crisis and going to wind up.
Money Measurement Concept
According to this concept only those transactions which are expressed in money terms are to be
recorded in accounting books.
Example
Determine and book the value of stock of the following items:
Shirts Rs 5,000/-
Pants Rs 7,500/-
Coats 500 pieces
Jackets 1000 pieces
Value of Stock = ?
Here, if we want to book the value of stock in our accounting record, we need the value of coats and jackets in terms of money. Now if we conclude that the values of coats and jackets are Rs 2,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively, then we can easily book the value of stock as Rs 29,500 (as a result of 5000+7500+2000+15000) in our books. We need to keep quantitative records separately.
The Accounting Period Concept
Businesses are living, continuous organisms. The splitting of the continuous stream of business events into time periods is thus somewhat arbitrary. There is no significant change just because one accounting period ends and a new one begins. This results into the most difficult problem of accounting of how to measure the net income for an accounting period. One has to be careful in recognizing revenue and expenses for a particular accounting period. Subsequent section on accounting procedures will explain how one goes about it in practice.
The Accrual Concept
The accrual concept is based on recognition of both cash and credit transactions. In case of a cash transaction, owner’s equity is instantly affected as cash either is received or paid. In a credit transaction, however, a mere obligation towards or by the business is created. When credit transactions exist (which is generally the case), revenues are not the same as cash receipts and expenses are not same as cash paid during the period.
Today’s accounting systems based on accrual concept are called as Accrual system or mercantile system of accounting. |
