JAMB UTME - Principles of Accounts - 2024

Maelezo ya Majibu

Rent accrued: This refers to the expense incurred for using an asset (property, equipment, etc.) for a period, ever though the rent payment hasn't been made yet.
Current liability: A current liability is a short-term financial obligation that a company expects to settle within one year or the operating cycle (whichever is longer). Rent accrued falls under this category because it's a debt that needs to be paid to the landlord soon.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The shares given free of charge to existing shareholders based on their previous holdings are referred to as a bonus issue.

A bonus issue, also known as a scrip issue or capitalization issue, is when a company decides to reward its existing shareholders by issuing them additional shares. This is done in proportion to their current shareholding without any additional cost. For example, a company might issue one bonus share for every ten shares held.

The main reasons for a bonus issue include:

• Rewarding Shareholders: It is a way to reward shareholders for their loyalty without paying out cash dividends.
• Increasing Liquidity: With more shares available, trading in the shares becomes more liquid.
• Signalling Confidence: It often signals that the company is confident about its future profits.
• Adjusting Share Prices: The increase in the number of shares can help lower the individual share price, making them more affordable and attractive to investors.

It is important to note that while a bonus issue increases the number of shares outstanding, it does not change the overall market capitalization of the company, as the value of each share is adjusted accordingly.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The ledger that contains the accounts of debtors and creditors is called the personal ledger. This is an essential distinction in accounting because it helps categorize the accounts appropriately. Here is why:

Personal Accounts are accounts that relate specifically to individuals or entities with whom the business has direct dealings such as customers (debtors) and suppliers (creditors). These are entities that the business can identify by name, and they usually consist of accounts that show the amounts the business owes to others or the amounts others owe to the business.

The two primary classifications within personal accounts are:

• Debtors: These are individuals or entities who owe money to the business, typically resulting from credit sales.
• Creditors: These are individuals or entities to whom the business owes money, usually due to credit purchases.

In contrast:

Impersonal Accounts are divided into Real Accounts and Nominal Accounts.

• Real Accounts: Related to assets and liabilities, not individuals' accounts.
• Nominal Accounts: Associated with incomes, expenses, losses, and gains, rather than with living persons.

In summary, any account representing a person or entity that can be identified by name, such as debtors or creditors, falls under personal accounts in the ledger.

Maelezo ya Majibu

A bank deposit typically wouldn't cause a discrepancy; rather, it would lead to an increase in both the cash book and bank statement balances. Therefore, it is not a cause of discrepancies between the two balances.

Maelezo ya Majibu

To determine the Total Fixed Assets, we need to focus on the accounts that represent fixed assets. In a company's balance sheet, fixed assets are long-term tangible property that a firm owns and uses in its operations to generate income. In this context, typical fixed assets include items like land, buildings, furniture, machinery, etc.

From the list provided:

• Land and Building: #70,000
• Furniture: #10,000

Both "Land and Building" and "Furniture" are considered fixed assets. To calculate the Total Fixed Assets, you simply add these amounts together:

#70,000 (Land and Building) + #10,000 (Furniture) = #80,000

Therefore, the Total Fixed Assets for Adama Ltd as of 31st August 2007 is #80,000.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The document used to make lodgments into a current account is the paying-in slip.

Here's why:

A paying-in slip is a small form provided by a bank that allows you to deposit money into your account. When you want to add funds to your current account, you fill out this slip with details such as the amount of money you are depositing, your account number, and your name. You then hand both the slip and the money to the bank teller who processes the transaction for you. Alternatively, it can be used in an automated bank machine that accepts deposits.

Other documents or instruments like a cheque book, pass book, and credit card serve different purposes:

• A cheque book is used to make payments to others; you write cheques to transfer money from your account to someone else or another entity.
• A pass book records transactions for savings accounts, not current accounts, and helps keep track of deposits, withdrawals, and balances.
• A credit card allows you to borrow funds up to a certain limit for purchases, which you then repay at a later date. It does not directly deposit funds into your account.

In summary, when depositing money directly into a current account, the paying-in slip is the correct document used for that purpose.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The correct accounting entry to credit when a discount is allowed is the debtor account.

Here's a simple explanation:

The "Discount Allowed" is a type of expense for a business which provides an incentive to customers to make payments promptly. Therefore, you need to record this as a reduction in the total receivables.

• Discount Allowed is recorded in the books of accounts as an expense, so you debit the "Discount Allowed" account.
• You credit the debtor account (the account of the customer), because by allowing a discount, the customer now owes you less money than originally recorded. This means the amount you have as receivables from the customer (debtor) decreases.

In summary, when a discount is allowed, the accounting entry is to debit the "Discount Allowed" account to reflect it as an expense, and credit the debtor account to reduce the outstanding amount owed by the customer.

Maelezo ya Majibu

A person who prepares, analyses, and interprets financial statements is known as an accountant. An accountant is a professional who is highly trained in the field of accounting, which involves managing financial records, summarizing financial positions, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.

Here is why the role of an accountant is important:

• Preparation of Financial Statements: Accountants prepare financial statements like balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, providing a comprehensive view of an organization's financial health.
• Analysis: They analyze these statements to understand and interpret the financial performance of the business. This helps in identifying trends, forecasting future financial conditions, and making informed business decisions.
• Interpretation: Accountants use their expertise to interpret financial data, explaining the significance of the figures to stakeholders, including management, investors, and regulatory bodies.

The role of a cashier is primarily to handle cash transactions. A bookkeeper assists in recording day-to-day financial transactions, and an analyst often focuses on analyzing various data sets and trends rather than specifically preparing financial statements. However, it is the accountant who brings together preparation, analysis, and interpretation of comprehensive financial data.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The person credited with developing the idea of double entry book-keeping is Francia Luca Pacioli. He was an Italian mathematician and Franciscan friar who lived during the Renaissance period. Pacioli is often referred to as the "Father of Accounting" because he published a comprehensive text on double-entry bookkeeping in 1494. This text was part of his larger work called Summa de arithmetica, geometria, proportioni et proportionalità, which aimed to educate merchants about keeping financial records.

Double entry bookkeeping is a method that involves recording each financial transaction twice: once as a debit in one account and once as a credit in another. This approach helps to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records by maintaining a balance between accounts.

Pacioli's contribution was significant because it provided a systematic way for businesses to track their financial transactions, fostering improved financial management and accountability. His work laid the foundation for modern accounting practices, making it a crucial advancement in the field of commerce and economics.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Ordinary shares, also known as common shares or equity shares, represent ownership in a company. When individuals or investors purchase ordinary shares, they become shareholders and have ownership rights in the company.
Equity refers to the ownership interest or residual claim on the assets of a company after deducting liabilities. Ordinary shares represent the equity portion of a company's capital structure, and shareholders who hold ordinary shares have voting rights and the potential to receive dividends.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The realization account is used to record the sale of assets and settlement of liabilities during the dissolution process.
When assets are sold, cash is received. This cash is credited to the cash account to reflect the increase in cash holdings.
Ultimately, the goal of dissolution is to convert all assets into cash, settle liabilities, and distribute any remainin cash among the partners according to their profit-sharing ratios

Maelezo ya Majibu

The nominal ledger, also sometimes called the general ledger, is the main book of accounts used in a double- entry bookkeeping system. It records all the financial transactions of a business during an accounting period. These transactions are categorized into different types of accounts.

Maelezo ya Majibu

A public limited liability company can get additional funds through the issue of debentures.

Let's break this down in simple terms:

• Debenture: A debenture is like a loan that the company takes from the public. The company issues these debt instruments to raise funds from investors, with a promise to pay back the principal along with interest at specified intervals. Debentures do not give ownership rights to investors, unlike shares, but they are a popular way for companies to raise capital when they need additional funds.
• Cheque: This is a method of payment, not a way of raising funds. It is used to transfer money from one bank account to another.
• Accumulated Fund: This term generally refers to the surplus funds collected over time that are used for specific purposes. It's not a method of generating new funds but rather a reserve from the excess monies accumulated in the past.
• Consolidated Fund: This is typically related to government finances, where it denotes a fund used for the financial management of the public sector, and not a means for a private company to raise funds.

Hence, debentures are a common and effective way for public companies to generate additional funds by attracting investments from the public without diluting ownership. The company gets the capital it needs, while investors earn interest on their investment.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Prime cost refers to the direct costs associated with producing a good. These are costs that can be easily traced and directly linked to each unit of production. It consists of direct materials, direct labour and direct cost.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Cost of Goods Produced = Prime Cost + Factory Overhead Cost + Opening Work in Progress - Closing Work in Progress 
Prime Cost: #500,000 (from previous question) Factory Overhead Cost: #63,500 (from previous question) 
Cost of Goods Produced = #500,000 + #63,500 + #32,500 - #37,500 
Cost of Goods Produced = #558,500 

Maelezo ya Majibu

The diminishing balance method of depreciation, also known as the reducing balance method, calculates depreciation based on the book value (cost minus accumulated depreciation) at the beginning of each year. In this method, both the asset's residual value and the annual depreciation rate are used to determine the depreciation charge.

Let's break down the solution for the first three years to figure out the depreciation charge:

Year 1:
The initial cost is #9,000.

Depreciation for Year 1 = Cost × Depreciation Rate = 9,000 × 10% = #900

Book Value at the end of Year 1 = Initial Cost - Depreciation = 9,000 - 900 = #8,100

Year 2:
Book value at the beginning of Year 2 is #8,100.

Depreciation for Year 2 = Book Value × Depreciation Rate = 8,100 × 10% = #810

Book Value at the end of Year 2 = Book Value - Depreciation = 8,100 - 810 = #7,290

Year 3:
Book value at the beginning of Year 3 is #7,290.

Depreciation for Year 3 = Book Value × Depreciation Rate = 7,290 × 10% = #729

The depreciation charge for the third year using the diminishing balance method is #729.

Maelezo ya Majibu

When goods are bought on credit, they are first recorded in the purchases day book. The purchases day book is a special journal used to record all credit purchases of goods meant for resale. This is crucial because it keeps track of the amounts owed to suppliers and helps manage the accounts payable for a business.

Here's a simple breakdown of why it is the purchases day book:

• The purchases day book contains a record of all transactions involving goods purchased on credit. It helps maintain an organized list of suppliers and the amounts due to them.
• The cash book records cash transactions and is not suitable for credit transactions.
• The journal proper is used for transactions that do not fit into any other specific journal, but regular credit purchases have their own designated day book.
• The sales day book is used for recording sales made on credit, and is not for purchases.

Therefore, by recording the credit purchases in the purchases day book, a business keeps an accurate and organized record of its obligations, facilitating better financial management.

Maelezo ya Majibu

To calculate the current ratio, we need to understand that it is a measure of a company's ability to pay its short-term obligations with its short-term assets. The formula for the current ratio is:

Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities

Let's identify the current assets from the given balances:

• Debtors: 50,000
• Bank: 10,000
• Stock (31-08-2007): 10,000

Adding these up:

Total Current Assets = 50,000 + 10,000 + 10,000 = 70,000

Next, we identify the current liabilities:

• Creditors: 35,000

Therefore, Total Current Liabilities are: 35,000

Now, let's calculate the current ratio:

Current Ratio = Total Current Assets / Total Current Liabilities

Current Ratio = 70,000 / 35,000 = 2:1

Therefore, the current ratio is 2:1, which means that for every unit of currency in current liabilities, Adama Ltd has 2 units in current assets to pay those liabilities. This is a healthy liquidity position as a current ratio greater than 1 indicates that the company has more current assets than current liabilities.

Maelezo ya Majibu

When a new partner joins the existing partnership, they bring in capital or expertise. The existing goodwill of th business (positive reputation, customer base, etc.) might justify paying the existing partners a premium above the book value of their capital investment. This premium is recorded as goodwill.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In accounting, the opening stock at the beginning of an accounting period represents the value of the inventory that a company has on hand at the start of that period. This includes all the goods available for sale at the beginning. It is essentially the remaining stock from the previous accounting period.

To clarify further:

• The opening stock is not simply the cost of goods purchased, as purchases are made throughout the period and opening stock represents only the existing stock at the commencement of the period.
• It is also not just the cost of goods sold, because those are related to the inventory that has already been sold within the period.
• It is similarly not only the goods returned from the last accounting period, as opening stock includes all unsold stock, regardless of returns.

Thus, in summary, the opening stock truly encapsulates the goods available for sale at the start of the new accounting period.

Maelezo ya Majibu

This situation is an example of an error of principle. Let me explain:

An error of principle occurs when an entry is recorded in the wrong account but respects the double-entry rule of debit and credit. In this case, a commission, which should have been recorded as an expense and debited to a "Commission Expense" account, was incorrectly debited to the "Debtors Account", which is an asset account.

Because the nature of the accounts is different (expenses vs assets), recording it in the wrong type of account constitutes an error of principle. This type of error doesn't affect the balancing of the trial balance but reflects a misclassification in the financial statements.

Other types of errors like errors of original entry involve wrong amounts recorded, whereas errors of compensation involve two mistakes that offset each other. An error of commission refers to when a correct amount is posted to the wrong account of the correct type, unlike the principle error where the wrong type of account is used.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The Accountant General of the Federation is the head of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), which is the treasury of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They are responsible for overseeing the government's receipts and payments, ensuring proper accounting practices, and managing the Federation Account.

Maelezo ya Majibu

When a difference is noticed in the Trial Balance due to errors that have not yet been located, it is temporarily posted to a suspense account.

Here's a simple explanation:

A **Trial Balance** is a bookkeeping worksheet in which the balances of all ledgers are compiled into debit and credit account column totals that are equal. If the totals do not match, it indicates an error. Sometimes, despite efforts to find the error, the exact location or cause is not immediately identified. When this happens, the difference is placed in a suspense account to temporarily hold and find where the error might be.

The suspense account acts as a placeholder. It's important because it allows the books to be balanced and further accounting and financial reporting processes to proceed normally while the error is being investigated and rectified. Once the error is located and corrected, the suspense account is cleared.

Maelezo ya Majibu

A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure that offers the owners (referred to as members) limite liability protection. This means that the personal assets of the owners are separate from the liabilities and debts of the company. The owners' liability is limited to their investment in the company, and their personal assets an generally protected from company obligations.
This separation of the company's liabilities from the owners' personal assets is a key characteristic of an LLC. It provides a layer of protection for the owners in case the company faces financial difficulties or legal issues.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The body that regulates accounting practices in Nigeria is ANAN, which stands for the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria.

Here is a simple explanation to help you understand:

Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN): This is a professional body responsible for regulating the practice of accountancy in Nigeria. It sets standards for accounting professionals, conducts examinations to certify accountants, and ensures that its members adhere to professional ethics and continue their professional development. This guarantees that accounting practices in the country meet both local and international standards.

Therefore, in the given options, ANAN is the correct one as it serves the primary function of regulating the accountancy profession in Nigeria.

Maelezo ya Majibu

First, we calculate the depreciation for the first year: Depreciation for year one = Cost x Rate of Depreciation = 120,000 x 40%
= 48,000
Next, we calculate the remaining book value after the first year: Book value after year one = Cost - Depreciation for year one
= 120,000 - 48,000
= 72,000
To calculate the depreciation charge for year two, we apply the rate of depreciation to the remaining book value Depreciation for year two = Remaining book value x Rate of Depreciation
= 72,000 x 40%
= 28,800

Maelezo ya Majibu

To calculate the Factory Overhead Cost, we need to consider the expenses that are not directly tied to the production process but are essential for running the factory smoothly. These include indirect costs like lighting, heating, depreciation of machinery, and indirect labor. From the data given, we will identify the elements that contribute to the Factory Overhead Cost:

• Indirect Wages: #28,000
• Depreciation on Plants: #32,000
• Factory Rent: #3,500

Other elements in the data such as stock of raw materials, purchase of raw materials, direct wages, and work in progress are part of the cost of production but do not contribute to the Factory Overhead Cost.

Therefore, the total Factory Overhead Cost is calculated by summing up all the overhead costs:

Factory Overhead Cost = Indirect Wages + Depreciation on Plants + Factory Rent

= #28,000 + #32,000 + #3,500

= #63,500

Thus, the Factory Overhead Cost is #63,500.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Ordinary shares, also known as common shares or equity shares, represent ownership in a company. When individuals or investors purchase ordinary shares, they become shareholders and have ownership rights in the company.
Equity refers to the ownership interest or residual claim on the assets of a company after deducting liabilities. Ordinary shares represent the equity portion of a company's capital structure, and shareholders who hold ordinary shares have voting rights and the potential to receive dividends.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The coming together of two sole trading businesses to form a partnership is an amalgamation.

To understand why this is an amalgamation, let's delve into the concept:

Amalgamation refers to the merging or blending of two or more entities into one. In the context of business, it specifically means the combination of two or more organizations to form a single new entity that benefits from the pooled resources, combined expertise, and shared goals. In this case, when two sole traders decide to unite their efforts and resources to operate jointly as a partnership, they are undergoing an amalgamation. This process allows them to leverage each other's strengths, share risks, and potentially enjoy greater market influence and operational efficiency.

It's important to note that amalgamation is different from terms like acquisition, which involves one company taking over another, and association, which usually implies a less formal collaboration without forming a new structure or entity.

Maelezo ya Majibu

A partner whose liability does not extend beyond the amount of capital they contributed is known as a limited partner.

In a partnership, there are different types of partners, and each has different roles and responsibilities. A limited partner is an investor within the partnership who contributes capital but does not participate in the day-to-day management or decision-making of the business. The key feature of a limited partner is that their financial liability is restricted to the amount they have invested in the partnership. This means that if the business faces financial losses or legal liabilities, the limited partner risks only losing their investment amount. They are not required to contribute more money beyond what they initially invested.

On the other hand, a general partner, who typically manages the business, has unlimited liability and is personally responsible for all the debts and obligations of the partnership. In contrast, the limited partner enjoys protection against such personal liabilities.

This arrangement is beneficial for individuals who want to invest in a business without the risk of losing more than their original investment, while also not being involved in its operations.

Maelezo ya Majibu

To calculate depreciation using the straight-line method, you can use the formula:
Depreciation Expense = (Cost of Asset - Residual Value) / Useful Life
Given:
Cost of the equipment = 9,000 Residual value = 900
Depreciation rate = 10%
Useful life = 10 years (since the depreciation rate is 10%)
First, calculate the annual depreciation:
Depreciation Expense = (9,000 - 900) / 10
= 8,100 / 10
= 810
Therefore, the depreciation charge for the second year would still be #810.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Fictitious assets are intangible assets that do not have a physical form and lack inherent value. They represent deferred expenses or prepaid costs that provide benefits over future periods. For example: Preliminary Expense: Discount on Issue of Shares, Goodwill etc.

Maelezo ya Majibu

A debenture is a type of long-term debt instrument issued by a company to borrow money from investors. When you hold a debenture, you are effectively lending money to the company, and in return, you expect a regular return. The return received by debenture holders is in the form of interest.

Here's a simple explanation of why it's interest:

• Interest: Debentures are like loans to the company. Just as banks earn interest on loans they provide, debenture holders earn interest on their investment in the debentures. This interest is predetermined and is usually paid at regular intervals, such as semi-annually or annually.
• Fixed Payment: The interest on debentures is usually a fixed percentage of the principal amount, which means it doesn’t change based on the company's profits or losses.
• Priority Payment: Interest on debentures is paid before any dividends are paid to shareholders, making it a relatively secure form of investment in terms of receiving payments.

In contrast:

• Share bonus and dividend: These are returns on equity shares, not debentures. They depend on the company's profits and decisions made by the board of directors.
• Net profit: This term refers to the total profit of a company after all expenses, taxes, and interest have been deducted. It's not directly associated with debenture holders as a form of return.

Therefore, the return on debenture holding is characterized by interest payments. These payments are made regardless of whether the company makes a profit, as long as it is solvent enough to meet its interest obligations.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Debentures are long-term debt instruments issued by companies to raise funds. Debenture holders are the creditors of the company, and they receive regular interest payments as a reward for lending their money to the company.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The net worth of a business, also known as the owner's equity or shareholders' equity, is essentially the value left over for the owners after all liabilities have been subtracted from the assets. To put it simply, it represents the company's total assets minus its total liabilities.

Let's break this down:

• Assets: These are all the resources owned by the business, such as cash, property, inventory, and equipment.
• Liabilities: These are the debts and obligations that the business owes to others, such as loans, accounts payable, and mortgages.

The formula to calculate net worth is:

Net Worth = Assets - Liabilities

Understanding the net worth helps in assessing the company's financial health. If the assets exceed liabilities, it indicates a positive net worth, which is a good sign, showing that the business has enough assets to cover its obligations.

Let's examine the options given:

• Bank Loan: This is a liability, a debt that the business needs to repay.
• Capital: This refers to the financial resources that owners invest in the business, which is part of the owner's equity and contributes to net worth.
• Asset: As described, these are resources owned by the business and are a component in calculating net worth.
• Debenture: This is another form of liability. It's a type of debt instrument used by businesses to borrow money.

Thus, the net worth is fundamentally linked to assets and liabilities, and it is a crucial measure of what the owners have in the business once all liabilities are paid off. It is not directly descriptive of just a bank loan, capital, asset, or debenture, but rather a measure involving assets and liabilities.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The written acknowledgement of a loan to a company is known as a debenture.

Let's explain further: A debenture is a type of long-term security issued by a company. It acts as a contract that specifies the details of the loan, including the amount borrowed, the interest rate, and the repayment schedule. Unlike some other forms of debt, debentures do not have any physical assets pledged as collateral. This means they are backed solely by the creditworthiness and reputation of the issuer.

In summary, a debenture serves as a formal and written promise from the company to pay back the borrowed money with interest at a future date. It is a common tool for companies to raise capital while providing investors an opportunity to earn interest on their investment.

Maelezo ya Majibu

To calculate the Gross Profit, we need to determine the difference between Sales and Cost of Goods Sold (COGS).

Step 1: Determine Sales

The sales figure is already given as #200,000.

Step 2: Calculate Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

• Starting Stock on 1st September 2006: #20,000
• Add Purchases: #140,000
• This gives the total goods available for sale: #160,000 (20,000 + 140,000)
• Deduct Closing Stock on 31st August 2007: #10,000

So, COGS = (#160,000 - #10,000) = #150,000

Step 3: Calculate Gross Profit

Gross Profit = Sales - COGS = #200,000 - #150,000 = #50,000

Therefore, the Gross Profit is #50,000.

Maelezo ya Majibu

A Purchase Ledger Control Account is used to track and summarize the transactions related to purchases made from creditors. The balance on the credit side of the account represents the total purchases made from the creditors, while the balance on the debit side represents the payments made to the creditors.

Maelezo ya Majibu

A cash book serves as both a subsidiary book and a ledger. It is a subsidiary book because it records all cash and bank transactions of a business in a chronological order. It includes details of cash receipts and cash payments, as well as bank deposits and withdrawals. The cash book acts as a primary record for cash and bank transaction before they are posted to the general ledger.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Suppliers accounts are found in the purchase ledger. The purchase ledger is a part of a company's financial accounts where all transactions related to purchases from suppliers (or creditors) are recorded. This includes the amounts owed for goods or services received but not yet paid for. It helps businesses keep track of what they owe to each supplier and ensures that the financial statements accurately reflect these liabilities. Therefore, the purchase ledger is essential for managing accounts payable and maintaining good relationships with suppliers.