Closing the Business

Investments are assets. The amount received on their sale is credited to the Realisation Account because it represents the proceeds realised from the asset. The book value of the investment is transferred to the debit side, but the sale proceeds are recorded on the credit side. Exam tip: remember that an asset’s book value is debited to Realisation Account, while the amount realised from its sale is credited.

A realisation loss is shared by the partners in their profit-sharing ratio. The second partner’s share is \(\frac{3}{2+3}=\frac{3}{5}\). Therefore, the loss debited to the second partner is ₹15,000 × \(\frac{3}{5}\) = ₹9,000. ₹6,000 is the first partner’s share because that partner has a 2/5 share. Exam tip: Divide the loss according to the relevant fraction of the total ratio.

An unrecorded asset has no book value in the firm’s records. On dissolution, when it is sold or taken over by a partner, the amount received or agreed upon is credited to the Realisation Account and generally creates a realisation gain. Therefore, option A is correct. Option C is incorrect because the transaction affects the Realisation Account. Exam tip: Credit the Realisation Account with the proceeds or takeover value of an unrecorded asset.

On dissolution, the assets and liabilities are first transferred to the Realisation Account. This account records the sale of assets, payment of liabilities, and the resulting profit or loss on realisation. Partners’ capital accounts are generally settled after this profit or loss has been determined, so the Capital Account is not the first account prepared. Exam tip: remember that the transfer of assets and liabilities marks the beginning of the realisation process.

Profit on the realization of an asset is calculated as: Sale proceeds − Book value. Therefore, profit = ₹39000 − ₹36000 = ₹3000, so option C is correct. ₹2500 and the other amounts do not represent the actual difference. In exams, remember that selling an asset above its book value results in a profit, while selling it below book value results in a loss.

Assets transferred to Realisation Account and realisation expenses are debited to it. When there is a profit on realisation, the Realisation Account is also debited and the partners’ capital accounts are credited. However, the partners’ capital accounts are not directly debited to the Realisation Account; in the case of a realisation loss, the capital accounts are debited and the Realisation Account is credited. Exam tip: remember “Realisation Dr. to Partners’ Capital” for profit and “Partners’ Capital Dr. to Realisation” for loss.

On dissolution, external liabilities and realization expenses are settled first. The remaining cash is then distributed according to the amount actually due to each partner after adjusting the partners’ capital, current and loan accounts. The number of employees, sales, or assets does not determine this distribution. Exam tip: remember that the final payment to partners is based on the balance due in their adjusted accounts.

Stock is an asset of the firm. When it is transferred to a creditor to discharge the liability instead of paying cash, the transaction is treated as settlement by transfer of an asset. It is not a cash settlement because the creditor receives stock rather than money. Exam tip: Identify a non-cash asset given to a creditor as settlement by asset transfer.

Profit on realisation is treated as the partners’ profit and is credited to their Capital Accounts in the profit-sharing ratio. The Cash Account records cash received or paid, not the distribution of realisation profit, so option B is incorrect. Exam tip: Realisation profit or loss is transferred to the partners’ Capital Accounts.

A liability that was not recorded in the firm’s books before dissolution is called a previously unrecorded liability. When it is paid, the Realisation Account is debited and the Bank/Cash Account is credited. Therefore, option A is correct. In the examination, remember that such items are recorded in the Realisation Account at the time of dissolution.

In the dissolution of a firm, its assets are realised, liabilities are paid, and the partners’ capital accounts are finally settled. When these accounts become zero, the affairs of the firm are considered fully settled and its dissolution is complete. Partial dissolution involves only a limited change, such as the retirement of a partner, so option B is incorrect. Exam tip: remember that final settlement of liabilities and partners’ accounts marks the completion of dissolution.

The total ratio is 3 + 2 = 5. The first partner’s share is 3/5, so the loss debited to that partner is ₹10,000 × 3/5 = ₹6,000. ₹5,000 would apply only if the loss were shared equally. Exam tip: add the ratio terms first, then multiply the total loss by the relevant partner’s ratio divided by the total ratio.

Goodwill represents the firm’s reputation and customer relationships, so goodwill recorded in the books is classified as an intangible asset. On dissolution, it is generally transferred to the Realisation Account; it is not a liability, expense, or partner’s drawings. Exam tip: Remember that goodwill is an intangible asset.

The partners’ profit-sharing ratio is 1:1:1. Therefore, each partner’s share = ₹21,000 ÷ 3 = ₹7,000. Amounts such as ₹6,000 or ₹8,000 would make the total distribution ₹18,000 or ₹24,000, which does not equal the total profit. Exam tip: when partners share equally, divide the total realisation profit by the number of partners.

The final balance of the Realisation Account represents the realisation profit or loss. A credit balance is realisation profit and a debit balance is realisation loss; it is transferred to the partners’ capital or current accounts in their profit-sharing ratio. Therefore, option A is correct. Stock valuation is only part of recording the realisation of assets, not the purpose of the final balance. Exam tip: remember that a credit balance means profit and a debit balance means loss.

The final cash balance is divided equally between the two partners. Therefore, A’s share = ₹18,000 ÷ 2 = ₹9,000. Amounts such as ₹8,000 or ₹10,000 do not satisfy the condition of equal claims. Exam tip: At dissolution, distribute the cash available at the end in the ratio of the partners’ claims; equal claims mean equal shares.

An unrecorded asset is not transferred to the Realisation Account because it was absent from the books. When it is sold, the cash or bank account is debited and the Realisation Account is credited with the sale proceeds; therefore, ₹3,500 appears on the credit side. The debit side generally records the transfer of recorded assets and payments of liabilities. Exam tip: for an unrecorded asset, record only the sale proceeds—debit Cash/Bank and credit Realisation.

Deficiency in recovery = Amount due − Amount received = ₹12,000 − ₹11,400 = ₹600. Therefore, the deficiency is ₹600. In such questions, subtract the actual receipt from the amount due, not the other way around.

A realisation loss is debited to the partners’ capital accounts in their profit-sharing ratio, so each partner’s capital decreases. In contrast, a realisation profit is credited to the capital accounts. Exam tip: remember that a realisation loss reduces capital, while a realisation profit increases it.

In the Realisation Account, profit or loss is calculated as sale value minus book value. Here, ₹31,000 − ₹31,000 = ₹0, so neither a profit nor a loss arises. A sale value above the book value gives a profit, while a lower sale value gives a loss. Exam tip: first calculate the difference between the two values.

In dissolution, the firm’s assets are first realised, meaning they are converted into cash. This cash is then used to settle external liabilities and the partners’ claims; therefore, asset realisation must precede cash distribution to the partners. New capital, dividend declaration and production planning are not steps in the dissolution process. Exam tip: remember the sequence—realise assets, pay liabilities, and then distribute the remaining cash to the partners.

In the 3:1 ratio, the total number of parts is 4, and the second partner is entitled to 1 part. Therefore, the second partner’s share = ₹16,000 × 1/4 = ₹4,000. An amount such as ₹6,000 does not represent the second partner’s 1-part share in a 3:1 ratio. Exam tip: Divide the total profit or loss by the sum of the ratio parts and multiply by the relevant partner’s part.

Zero balances indicate that realization, partners’ capital and liability-related adjustments have been completed and the accounts have been closed. Therefore, they signal completion of the firm’s dissolution process. A zero balance does not mean that profit has increased; profit or loss is determined separately. Exam tip: at the end of dissolution, all relevant accounts are settled and closed.

In the Realisation Account, transferred assets and realisation expenses are generally recorded on the debit side, while transferred liabilities and proceeds from realised assets are recorded on the credit side. Therefore, an excess of the credit side represents a profit, which is transferred to the partners’ capital accounts. An excess of the debit side would represent a loss. Exam tip: Credit excess means profit; debit excess means loss.

After dissolution, the firm’s business is brought to an end. Its assets are realised, the proceeds are used to pay external liabilities, and the remaining amount is used to settle the partners’ loans and capital accounts. Therefore, option A is correct. The other options relate to continuing or expanding the business, not to closing its affairs. Exam tip: Remember that realisation of assets and settlement of liabilities are the key steps in dissolution.