2023 Study Guide
2023 Study Guide
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE
GENERICS
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING 1A
STUDY GUIDE
2023
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Table of Contents
1. About Brand ....................................................................................................................................
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2. Our Teaching and Learning Methodology ...................................................................................... 7
Icons ........................................................................................................................................ 9
3. Introduction to the Module .......................................................................................................... 10
Module Information .............................................................................................................. 10
Module Purpose .................................................................................................................... 10
Outcomes .............................................................................................................................. 10
Assessment ........................................................................................................................... 11
Planning Your Studies ........................................................................................................... 12
4. Prescribed Reading .......................................................................................................................
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Prescribed Book .................................................................................................................... 12
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1. About Brand
Damelin knows that you have dreams and ambitions. You’re thinking about the future, and how the
next chapter of your life is going to play out. Living the career you’ve always dreamed of takes some
planning and a little bit of elbow grease, but the good news is that Damelin will be there with you
every step of the way.
We’ve been helping young people to turn their dreams into reality for over 70 years, so rest assured,
you have our support.
As South Africa’s premier education institution, we’re dedicated to giving you the education
experience you need and have proven our commitment in this regard with a legacy of academic
excellence that’s produced over 500 000 world – class graduates! Damelin alumni are redefining
industry in fields ranging from Media to Accounting and Business, from Community Service to Sound
Engineering. We invite you to join this storied legacy and write your own chapter in Damelin’s history
of excellence in achievement.
A Higher Education and Training (HET) qualification provides you with the necessary step in the right
direction towards excellence in education and professional development.
• A learning-centred approach is one in which not only lecturers and students, but all
sections and activities of the institution work together in establishing a learning
community that promotes a deepening of insight and a broadening of perspective with
regard to learning and the application thereof.
• An outcomes-oriented approach implies that the following categories of outcomes are
embodied in the academic programmes:
• Culminating outcomes that are generic with specific reference to the critical cross-field
outcomes including problem identification and problem-solving, co-operation,
selforganisation and self-management, research skills, communication skills,
entrepreneurship and the application of science and technology.
• Empowering outcomes that are specific, i.e. the context specific competencies students
must master within specific learning areas and at specific levels before they exit or move
to a next level.
• Discrete outcomes of community service learning to cultivate discipline-appropriate
competencies.
Damelin actively strives to promote a research culture within which a critical-analytical approach and
competencies can be developed in students at undergraduate level. Damelin accepts that students’
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learning is influenced by a number of factors, including their previous educational experience, their
cultural background, their perceptions of particular learning tasks and assessments, as well as
discipline contexts.
Students learn better when they are actively engaged in their learning rather than when they are
passive recipients of transmitted information and/or knowledge. A learning-oriented culture that
acknowledges individual student learning styles and diversity and focuses on active learning and
student engagement, with the objective of achieving deep learning outcomes and preparing students
for lifelong learning, is seen as the ideal. These principles are supported through the use of an engaged
learning approach that involves interactive, reflective, cooperative, experiential, creative or
constructive learning, as well as conceptual learning via online-based tools.
• Well-designed and active learning tasks or opportunities to encourage a deep rather than
a surface approach to learning.
• Content integration that entails the construction, contextualization and application of
knowledge, principles and theories rather than the memorisation and reproduction of
information.
• Learning that involves students building knowledge by constructing meaning for
themselves.
• The ability to apply what has been learnt in one context to another context or problem.
• Knowledge acquisition at a higher level that requires self-insight, self-regulation and
selfevaluation during the learning process.
• Collaborative learning in which students work together to reach a shared goal and
contribute to one another’s learning at a distance.
• Community service learning that leads to collaborative and mutual acquisition of
competencies in order to ensure cross cultural interaction and societal development.
• Provision of resources such as information technology and digital library facilities of a high
quality to support an engaged teaching-learning approach.
• A commitment to give effect teaching-learning in innovative ways and the fostering of
digital literacy.
• Establishing a culture of learning as an overarching and cohesive factor within institutional
diversity.
• Teaching and learning that reflect the reality of diversity.
• Taking multi culturality into account in a responsible manner that seeks to foster an
appreciation of diversity, build mutual respect and promote cross-cultural learning
experiences that encourage students to display insight into and appreciation of
differences.
Icons
The icons below act as markers, that will help you make your way through the study guide.
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Additional information
Case study/Caselet
Example
Practice
Reading
Revision questions
Self-check activity
Think point
Video / audio
Vocabulary
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Welcome to Financial Accounting. The objective of this course is to introduce students to introductory
concepts and practices in financial accounting. It is aimed both at students who intend to qualify as
professional accountants (such as Chartered Accountants) and students completing a Bachelor of
Commerce, including those who are not majoring in accounting.
No prior knowledge of accounting is necessary in order to successfully complete this course. Those
students who have studied accounting before may however have an advantage for the first few weeks.
Together with Financial Accounting 1B, this course provides a solid foundation in financial accounting
that will provide students with skills that are useful in all business careers. It also provides a necessary
introduction to a variety of topics in financial accounting that are dealt with in greater detail in second
and third-year financial accounting.
Although students are encouraged to use this guide, but it must be used in conjunction with other
prescribed and recommended textbooks.
Module Information
Qualification title Bachelor of Commerce in Generic
NQF Level 6
Credits 10
Module Purpose
The objective of this course is to introduce students to introductory concepts and practices in financial
accounting. It is aimed both at students who intend to qualify as professional accountants (such as
Chartered Accountants) and students completing a Bachelor of Commerce, including those who are
not majoring in accounting.
No prior knowledge of accounting is necessary in order to successfully complete this course. Those
students who have studied accounting before may however have an advantage for the first few weeks.
Outcomes
At the end of this module, students should be able to:
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• prepare financial statements, including the Income statement, Balance sheet and Statement
of changes in equity;
• apply selected controls in the accounting system, including the trial balance, the bank
reconciliation, and debtors’ and creditors’ control accounts.
Assessment
You will be required to complete both formative and summative assessment activities.
Formative assessment:
These are activities you will do as you make your way through the course. They are designed to help
you learn about the concepts, theories and models in this module. This could be through case studies,
practice activities, self-check activities, study group / online forum discussions and think points.
Summative assessment:
You are required to do one test and one assignment. For online students, the tests are made up of the
revision questions at the end of each unit. A minimum of five revision questions will be selected to
contribute towards your test mark.
Mark allocation
Assignment 20%
Exam 60%
TOTAL 100%
Create a time table / diagram that will allow you to get through the course content, complete the
activities, and prepare for your tests, assignments and exams. Use the information provided above
(How long will it take me?) to do this.
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4. Prescribed Reading
Prescribed Book
Introduction to Financial Accounting Maritz, C.J, Hibling, A.J, Freeman, A.J. 978-1-77586-831-6
Recommended Articles
http://catalogue.pearsoned.co.uk/assets/hip/gb/hip_gb_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/FADMC0
1.pdf Introduction to financial Accounting
Recommended Multimedia
Websites:
Video / Audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijPDIy6gXxc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpK7yNOGYZY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaBcqiLDW8g
Accounting equation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eezXyx7ZANY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w-l_ExhJ5s please
Definitions
Term Definition My Notes
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Add any new words, terms or concepts to this glossary as you work through the module:
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5. Module Content
You are now ready to start your module! The following diagram indicates the topics that will be
covered. These topics will guide you in achieving the outcomes and the purpose of this module.
Please make sure you complete the assessments as they are specifically designed to build you in your
learning.
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Time It will take you 10 hours to make your way through this unit.
5.1.1 Introduction
Foundational knowledge in accounting is paramount for the successful running of a business. In this
study unit, we take a look at the origin and role of accounting in the business environment, identify
the main uses and users thereof, and explain how this ‘language of business’ is used by different types
of entities to make their business run more efficiently.
Reading
a) Investors
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c) Lenders
Keen interest in information that enables them to determine whether amounts owing to them will be
when due.
e) Customers
Accounting plays an important and useful role by developing the information for providing answers to
many questions faced by the users of accounting information
Reading
After studying Sections 1.1 and 1.2, you should now be able to attempt
the following question in the prescribed textbook:
External reporting, on the other hand, is concerned with the preparation and reporting of financial
information, in accordance with the International Financial Accounting Standards (IFRSs), for use by
external stakeholders (customers, suppliers, government, etc.). These financial statements should
reflect a true and fair view of the business affairs of the organisation.
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Reading
Refer to Learning Unit 1, Section 1.3.1.2 of the prescribed textbook for a detailed
explanation of qualitative characteristics of financial statements prepared in
accordance with IFRS.
1. Sole proprietorships
Also known as one-man business, that is, the owner is responsible for all the decision making process.
There is no limited liability with a sole trader and it lacks continuity in the event the owner dies
2. Partnerships
This is an agreement between 2-20 partners who share a common objective of obtaining a common
benefit. There are no legal formalities in establishing a partnership, however partners are bound by a
partnership agreement. It is in this agreement where issues such as the distribution of profits and
losses are stipulated. There are two main types of partners in a partnership agreement which are the
active partner and the dormant partner, the former being the one who is responsible for the day to
day running of the business and the latter being the one responsible for providing the capital.
3. Companies
• Profit companies
• Non-profit companies
Profit companies can further be subdivided into
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Reading
Refer to section 1.4 of the prescribed textbook for important factors to consider when
choosing a form of business.
The two main branches are financial accounting and management accounting.
Reporting must follow financial reporting Reporting is not required to comply with any
standards standards as it is used for internal purposes
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Reading
Now that you have worked through sections 1.1 to 1.5 of the prescribed textbook,
you should be able to attempt the following questions in the prescribed textbook:
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Reading
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Now that you have worked through the accounting cycle in section 1.6
of the prescribed textbook, you should now be able to attempt the
following question in the prescribed textbook:
Think point
burn.
Group Activity
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a) In groups, discuss the reasons why new businesses fail and the
actions entrepreneurs can take to ensure the success of their
businesses.
b) What did the other groups come up with? Compare your
answers.
c) This activity is designed to test your ability to think ‘out of the
box’ and work in groups.
5.1.8 Summary
In this study unit, we have discussed:
Revision questions
Now that you have worked through Learning Unit 1 of the prescribed textbook in
its entirety, with the help of this study unit, you should be
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Time It will take you 10 hours to make your way through this unit.
5.2.1 Introduction
In this study unit, we explore the intricacies of an equation that holds all financial information together
– the accounting equation.
To make better sense of the accounting equation, a profound understating of the elements of financial
statements (assets, liabilities and owner’s equity) is required. A person or business’s Worth = Assets
(What you own) - Liabilities (What you owe)
Think point
Let’s say Ivirn Khoza owns 80% of Orlando pirates and the whole club
is worth R 1 million. Let’s say that the remaining 20% is a loan he got
from Nedbank.
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Worth = Assets (What Ivirn Khoza owns) - Liabilities (What Ivirn Khoza
owes)
The system for recording the financial transactions of a business is known as accounting and this
system is based on the accounting equation which is a simple fact of life that is:
The fact that the system for accounting for business financial transactions is based on an equation
means that for every transaction that is recorded the equation must always balance, because this is
the nature of an equation - it must always balance. The total on the left-hand side of the equation
should always be equal to the total on the right hand side of the equation.
For every business transaction, the accounting equation must balance because it is its nature for the
left-hand side of an equation to always equal the right hand side otherwise it is not ‘equal’.
Example
Let’s test and build our system of accounting for business financial
transactions: Transaction 1:
Cash coming into the business the business’s worth increases by R 50 000
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1 + R 50 000 + R 50 000
R 50 000 = R 50 000 + R0
The business has assets of R 50 000 The business is now worth R 50 000
Now ask yourself the question: Does the accounting equation balance?
Well the left-hand side of the equation has increased by R 50 000 and the right hand side of the
equation has increased by R 50 000.
5.2.3 Assets
Assets are resources controlled by a business, as a result of past events, from which future economic
benefits are likely to flow to the business. For any item to be classified and recognized as an asset, it
has to meet the definition and recognition criteria of an asset.
The definition of an asset can be broken down into four requirements, namely:
• resource;
• control;
• past event; and
• future economic benefits.
The definition of assets also includes those assets that have a physical form (tangible assets) and those
that do not (intangible assets).
Assets are classified as long-term or non-current assets (will be owned/controlled for longer than one
financial year before it is disposed of) and short-term or current assets (could be owned/controlled
for less than one financial year).
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• Plant and machinery (a collective name used for machinery and equipment, including movables
assets, used for a specific purpose such as for a long-term capital
Investment project);
• Equipment (this includes computer equipment and office equipment such as printers);
• Financial assets (these are investments such as a money market account or shares on a stock
exchange or unit trusts);
• Motor vehicles; or
• Intangible assets.
This is a term used to refer to long-term assets that are not physical in nature. They can neither be
seen nor touched. Examples of intangible assets include trademarks, copyrights, patents and goodwill
Examples of current assets:
Trading inventory on hand. ‘Trading inventory’ is a term used for the stock that a business buys and
sells. The trading inventory for a car dealership is the cars that it buys and sells. Other terms for trading
inventory (stock) are trading stock, trading goods or merchandise.
• Debtors.
This is the word or term used for customers that owe the business money. When a business sells
trading inventory (stock), it can sell it for cash or it can sell it on credit. A customer that owes the
business money is a debtor. The term ‘debtor’ is not to be confused with the term ‘debit’ or ‘debt’ -
more about these definitions later.
• Cash float (money in the cash register from which change is given to customers).
• Input VAT.
This is the VAT paid by the business to the suppliers, on goods and services purchased by the business.
As a registered VAT vendor, the business is allowed to claim this VAT back from SARS. It is, thus,
expected that cash will flow into the business when SARS pays the business back.
Reading
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Self-check activity
Now that you have worked through sections 2.1.1 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following questions in the
prescribed textbook:
5.2.4 Liabilities
They represent business obligations which will result in future cash outflows from the business. For
any item to be classified and recognized as a liability, it must meet the definition and recognition
criteria of a liability.
The definition of a liability can be broken down into three requirements, namely:
1. present obligation;
2. past event; and
3. future economic benefits.
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Liabilities are recognised in the statement of financial position when it is probable that the settlement
of the present obligation will indeed result in the outflow of future economic benefits, and the amount
of the obligation can be reliably measured.
As with assets, liabilities are classified as non-current (long term) liabilities and current (short term)
liabilities. Non-current liabilities are those liabilities that will be settled over a period longer than one
financial year, while current liabilities are those liabilities that will be settled over a period shorter than
one financial year.
• Mortgage loan (This is a bond on a property. A mortgage is raised when an entity buys a
property and takes out a loan form the bank to pay the property using the property as
collateral or security on the loan).
• Bank loans with a maturity greater than one year (Typically bank loans which are not
secured by a property can be secured by another asset or can be unsecured).
• Bank overdraft (What is a bank overdraft? This is when an entity’s current bank account
balance goes into negative. The bank gives it the facility to spend money it does not have.
• Creditors (Who is a creditor? A creditor is a supplier of the business. The business owes a
supplier money for purchases made on credit).
• SARS (Money owed to SARS for VAT and/or other taxes).
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Reading
Self-check activity
Now that you have worked through sections 2.1.2 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following question in the
prescribed textbook:
5.2.5 Equity
Represents the claim the owners have over the assets of the business. Equity (also called net assets or
net asset value) represents the owner’s claim to the assets of the business after all the liabilities have
been paid.
It is the remaining assets of the business after all the liabilities have been settled, hence the terms net
assets or net asset value. Equity consists of capital contributions made by the owners of the business,
distributions to, or withdrawals by, the owners and profit (or loss) made by the business during a
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particular financial year. These components of equity will be discussed in detail in the section that
follows.
Reading
Reading
Self-check activity
Now that you have worked through sections 2.1 and 2.2 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following
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Questions:
1. Can you think of any transactions that usually take place
between the owner(s) and the business?
To understand the concept of profit, a profound understanding of income and expenses is required.
It is also important to know the different categories of profit and understand how each of them
contributes to the overall profitability of the business.
5.2.8 Capital
We have seen that if the owner contributes to the business, this increases the owner’s equity of the
business. These contributions by the sole proprietor are called capital contributions. The owner may
contribute cash or other valuables to the business. All contributions made by the owner are recorded
in the capital account, as well as in the contra-accounts that represent the resources that are being
contributed.
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Reading
Self-check activity
Now that you have worked through sections 2.1 and 2.2, you should now
be able to attempt the following question in the prescribed
textbook:
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Practice Exercise 1
Day Transactions
13 The owner took stock for personal use selling price 8700 and
markup on cost 23%
Required;
The double-entry system specifies that accounts that represent sources of funds in- crease on the
credit side and accounts that represent applications of funds increase on the debit side such that for
every transaction the accounting must always balance AND the total debits must always equal the
total credits (in monetary value).
The following illustration outlines a useful mind-map for double entries using T-accounts:
Dr Cr Dr Cr Dr Cr Dr Cr Dr Cr Dr Cr
+ - - + + - - + + - - +
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Self-check activity
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Now that you have worked through, you should now be able to attempt
the following questions in the prescribed textbook:
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Reading
Refer to the table and learning example 2.13 in section 2.4 of the
prescribed textbook for a detailed explanation and application of the
two inventory systems.
Self-check activity
Now that you have worked through section 2.4 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following questions in the
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prescribed textbook:
Think point
Employees of a company help the company operate and earn income just
like a machine helps in the production of inventory. To extent that
Study group
a) In groups, discuss whether the company can recognize the employees as assets in its
financial statements.
b) What did the other groups come up with? Compare your answers.
c) This activity is designed to test your ability to think ‘out of the box’
and work in groups.
d) No solution is provided for this activity. Discuss your answers with
your Lecturer.
5.2.11 Summary
1. the accounting equation
2. the elements of the accounting equation (assets, equity and liabilities);
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Revision questions
Now that you have worked through Learning Unit 2 of the prescribed textbook in
its entirety, with the help of this study unit, you should be
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Value-added-Tax (VAT)
Purpose The purpose of this study unit is to introduce students to account for value
added tax in the books of the entity. Transactions will need to be recoded on
the books of the entity. VAT amount will need to be determined separately.
Amounts recoded in the statements must be of VAT exclusive. VAT input and
VAT output account must be introduced to show the records the VAT amounts
separately.
Time It will take you 10 hours to make your way through this unit.
5.3.1 Introduction
Knowledge of Value Added Tax (VAT) is important as VAT affects the amounts at which transactions
are recorded in the books of the business.
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Reading
A farmer produces wheat and sells it to a manufacturer, who makes flour. The flour is then sold to the
wholesaler, and re-sold to the retailer, who finally sells it to the consumer.
Assume that all participants are registered VAT vendors and that the product is a standard rated supply
at each stage of its development:
The farmer:
The farmer ensures that the land is tilled. Mother earth cannot provide the farmer with a VAT invoice,
so the farmer will not be able to claim input VAT on the wheat per se. However, SARS will allow the
farmer to claim on most of the inputs needed to till the land(seeds for planting grass, inoculations,
etc.)
Let’s assume that the average cost of the inputs needed to produce enough wheat to eventually make
the 2 kg container of flour, is R 5. The farmer’s VAT scenario can be set out as follows: The farmer
ensures collection of cream from the cows; total cost per container of wheat needed to produce 2 kg
of flour = R 5.00 Thus input VAT claimable (R 5.00 × 14%) R 0.70
Sells product for VAT inclusive price of (R 5.00 + R 5.00) + (14% × R 10.00):R 11.40
The manufacturer:
The manufacturer buys the wheat needed to make one 2 kg container of flour at R 11.40 (including
VAT) from the farmer. Since the wheat is now the input the manufacturer needs to produce his/her
product, SARS will allow the manufacturer to claim back the R1.40 in VAT on this invoice received from
the farmer. Now, it must be mentioned from the outset that the manufacturer would have claimed
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Input VAT on the machinery purchased for use in the production process. This would have been done
when the machinery was ac-quired. We will now assume that the only additional input for the
manufacturer is wages for the factory workers. No VAT can be claimed on wages. There are several
reasons for this, but the easiest one to remember is that the factory worker does not provide the
employer with a VAT invoice when receiving his/her wages. VAT cannot be claimed if no tax invoice
has been received. The manufacturer’s scenario can now be set out as follows: The manufacturer buys
the cream from the farmer and produces butter,
Sells product for VAT inclusive price of (R 10.00 + R 5.00) + (14% × R 15.00) R 17.10
The wholesaler:
The wholesaler buys a large number of 2 kg containers of flour, which is then sold piecemeal to a
variety of retailers at a profit. If the wholesaler intends to make a profit of R 5 per unit sold, the
following would apply:
The wholesaler buys the butter from the manufacturer in bulk, total unit cost(R 17.10 ÷ 1.14) =
R 15.00
Thus input VAT claimable (R 17.10 - R 15.00): R 2.10
Sells product for VAT inclusive price of (R 15.00 + R 5.00) + (14% × R 20.00): R 22.80
The retailer:
The retailer purchases the flour from the wholesaler and may then claim back Input VAT on the
purchase. Let’s assume the retailer also adds R 5 in profit to his/her purchase price before selling it to
the final consumer.
The retailer buys the butter from the wholesaler in bulk, total unit cost(R 22.80 ÷ 1.14)
=R 20.00
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Sells product for VAT inclusive price of (R 20.00 + R 5.00) + (14% × R 25.00): R 28.50
The consumer:
The final consumer is often not registered as a VAT vendor and may therefore not claim back any of
the VAT that appears on the invoice received from the retailer. Certain products may be consumed by
a VAT vendor. If stationery is consumed by a particular VAT vendor, then (although the VAT vendor is
the final consumer of that particular product) they may claim that input VAT back from SARS because
it will be used in the production of their income.
Reading
Self-check activity
Now that you have worked through Sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following
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These are supplies which attract Vat and the purchaser can also claim Vat. That particular good should
constitute an essential input to our business to create outputs on which Vat output will be charged
Zero rated supplies;
Vat charged on these goods and services is at 0% and typical examples of those goods are petrol,
brown bread, and milk.
Exempt supplies
Vendors of exempt supplies may not register for Vat at all, so no Vat input may be claimed on their
purchases and typical examples are life assurance, interest paid or received
Non-allowable items.
Vat vendors may be charged vat output but they cannot claim back the vat and typical examples are
club fees and subscriptions, passenger vehicles
Reading
Self-check activity
Now that you have worked through Sections 3.3 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following question in the
prescribed textbook:
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Practice
VAT exclusive price (R) VAT amount (R) VAT inclusive price (R)
439.45 ?a ?b
?c ?d 9 003.15
120.50 ?e ?f
?g ?h 2 150.00
?i 21.00 ?j
680.75 ?k ?l
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?m ?n 14 222.69
?o 59.06 ?p
300.00 ?q ?r
Reading
Self-check activity
Now that you have worked through sections 3.1 to 3.4 of learning unit
Three (3) of the prescribed textbook, you should now be able to
a) Questions 3.3 to 3.6 – These activities will test your understanding of, and
ability to perform, VAT, mark-up, gross margin, selling price and cost price
calculations.
b) The solutions to these questions are found in the Introduction to Financial
Accounting Question Bank and Solutions Guide provided with the prescribed
textbook.
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Where a purchase is made for a consideration in excess of R 50, the vendor must be in possession of
a valid tax invoice in order to claim the input tax deduction.
For the Tax Invoice to be a valid it must contain certain information as requested by the VAT Act.
Reading
There are two different bases provided for in the Act for the calculation of VAT:
Reading
A vendor will fall into one of the five VAT categories (A-E), depending on the nature of their business
operations, annual taxable supplies and annual turnover.
Reading
Registered VAT vendors are required by law to submit VAT returns accompanied by the payment of
VAT.
Reading
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Reading
S59 of the Act covers the offences and penalties applicable to VAT evasion.
Reading
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Reading
completed.
Self-check activity
Now that you have worked through Learning Unit 3, Section 3.5 of the
prescribed textbook, you should now be able to attempt the following
Think point
A company has two buildings that it owns. One building is rented out
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5.3.10 Summary
a) The history of VAT and requirements for registering as a VAT vendor;
b) VAT calculations;
c) the different VAT supply categories;
d) calculations of mark-ups and gross margin where VAT is applicable;
e) documentation required for there to be a valid tax invoice;
f) the payment and invoice basis for accounting for VAT;
g) the different VAT categories and their respective VAT periods;
h) The due dates for VAT payments depending on the VAT period and whether the return is
submitted manually or via eFiling;
i) penalties and interest on late payments of VAT;
j) VAT avoidance and evasion; and
k) the submission of VAT returns to SARS.
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Revision questions
Now that you have worked through Learning Unit 3 of the prescribed textbook in
its entirety, with the help of this study unit, you should be
a) How would you explain Value Added Tax (VAT) and how the
system works?
b) How would you compare the VAT system to the traditional GST
system?
c) How would you identify standard rated, zero-rated, exempt
supplies as well as non-allowable items?
d) How would you compare the two bases according to which
vendors may be registered for VAT?
e) How would you perform basic VAT calculations; and
f) How is a VAT return completed?
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Time It will take you 10 hours to make your way through this unit.
5.4.1 Introduction
Study unit 4 looks at how financial transactions are recorded in the books of the business.
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Cash Sales Cash Register Roll/ Till Slip Cash Receipts Journal
Goods returned by us Duplicate Debit note/ Original credit note Creditors Allowances Journal
Good returned to us Duplicate Credit note/ Original Debit note Debtors Allowances Journal
Reading
Refer to Learning Unit 4, Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 of the prescribed
textbook for a detailed explanation of:
a) the various source documents, the transactions they are used for
and the information recorded therein (Section 4.1);
b) importance of adequate, effective and efficient cash flow in a
business (Section 4.2); and
c) the various cash journals used to summarise similar cash
transactions, the structure of each
Reading
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Now that you have worked through Learning Unit 4, Sections 4.1 to 4.4
of the prescribed textbook, you should now be able to attempt the
Reading
ledger (section 4.5.1) and the rules for balancing the general ledger
accounts (section 4.5.2) and work through example 4.2
After balancing the T-Accounts in the general ledger, the balance of each account is listed in the trial
balance.
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Reading
Self-check activity
Now that you have worked through Learning Unit 4, Sections 4.5 and
4.6 of the prescribed textbook, you should now be able to attempt the
Reading
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Self-check activity
Now that you have worked through Learning Unit 4, Sections 4.7 and
4.8 of the prescribed textbook, you should now be able to attempt the
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Practice
6. How was the amount entered into the creditors control column
on day 14 calculated?
7. Explain why no input VAT was claimed on cheque 11 issued on
day 18.
8. Explain in detail how the bookkeeper recorded the purchase of
the slide projector on the 20th of April.
9. Explain in detail how the transaction according to cheque no. 14
on day 27 was recorded.
10. With regards to PV10 on day 13: explain how the amounts shown
in each of the analysis columns for this transaction were
calculated.
11. Explain why no VAT was claimed on PV12 as recorded on day
17.
12. In which journal would one restore the petty cash imprest
amount? Explain how the whole petty cash system works with
regard to the imprest amount, purchases and security.
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15. Why were there no entries made for the instalments mentioned
in the transaction on day 20?
16. How was the amount entered into the creditors control column
on 21 April 20.7 calculated?
17. Regarding the transaction on day 22: Why was an amount of R 5
000 entered into the sundries columns, and not in the creditors
control column?
(i) No entry was made in the cost of sales column on day 9 (invoice D1).
Explain why.
20. With regards to the transaction on day 2: the interest on loan has
been recorded in the general journal, not in the cash payments
journal. Briefly explain why.
21. The amount that has been debited to interest on loan is R 1
849.32. How do you think this amount was calculated? Show
your workings.
22. How was the amount debited to the drawings account on day 11
calculated?
23. How was the amount debited to creditors control on day 14
calculated?
24. How was the amount credited to debtors control on day 20
calculated?
25. Why was the amount of R 8 799.95 not used for the double entry
that was passed on day 29
Required
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Think point
Questions
5.4.7 Summary
In this study unit, we have discussed;
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Inventory Systems
Purpose The purpose of this study unit is to introduce students on how to account for
inventory in the books. Two systems of inventory and two methods of
inventory will be introduced to students.
Time It will take you 10 hours to make your way through this unit.
5.5.1 Introduction
In this study unit, we will look at how a business should measure and record inventory in its books.
An item of inventory (stock) is therefore an asset that the business intends to...
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• sell in the normal course of business, if purchased ‘as is’ (for example a merchandise bought
and sold by a retailer); or if manufactured by the business (for example a product produced
and sold as a finished product by a manufacturer).
• process and then sell in the normal course of business
• if not yet processed, for example raw materials; or if partly processed, for example unfinished
goods (also called ‘work-in-progress’).
• consume in the process of producing assets to be sold in the normal course of business (for
example nails and glue used in the production of furniture).
Reading
asset.
Reading
Due to factors such as changes in demand for the product, changes in consumer preferences, and
damages to the inventory, the carrying amount of inventory might be different at the end of the
financial reporting date.
Reading
reporting date.
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Think point
Some experts are of the opinion that the perpetual inventory (stock)
system offers more advantages to a business than the periodic system.
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Reading
Reading
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Practice
3. cost of inventory;
4. recording financial transactions using the two inventory recording systems; and
5. the differences in the financial records of the business as a result of using one system instead
of the other.
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Revision questions
can use?
• Differentiate between the perpetual and periodic inventory
recording systems.
• What goes into the cost of inventory?
Bank Reconciliation
Purpose The purpose of this study unit is to introduce students on how to reconcile
transactions recorded in the books of the business and the transactions
recorded in by the bank in the bank statement. Balance as per bank statement
will normally not be the same with the balance that is in the cash books.
Reconciliation will need to be made to account for the differences.
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Time It will take you 10 hours to make your way through this unit.
5.6.1 Introduction
In this Study Unit, we look at the reconciliation of the business’s cash book with the bank’s records.
Reading
Reading
Step 1
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The credits on the bank statement are compared with the bank column of the cash receipts journal
and the differences are identified and investigated, as requiring amendment/addition in the cashbook,
or as outstanding items to be entered in the bank reconciliation statement.
Step 2
The debits on the bank statement are compared with the bank column of the cashbook payments and
the differences are identified as requiring amendment/addition in the cashbook, or as outstanding
items to be entered in the bank reconciliation statement.
Step 3
Differences identified as requiring amendment/addition in the cashbook are recorded and the
cashbook is totalled. The cashbook is then posted to the bank account in the general ledger.
Step 4
Compile the bank reconciliation statement. This statement is an internal document used to hold
outstanding/unresolved items to be corrected by the bank. Potentially these are items that are going
to require investigation and subsequent amendment by the bank and will be reflected on future bank
statements.
Step 5
The monthly reconciliation statement is now interpreted and any outstanding items are investigated
in order to highlight potential penalties or unresolved issues.
Reading
Practice
Now that you have worked through Section 6.2 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following question in the
prescribed textbook:
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• Question 6.1 – This activity will assess your ability to identify the
list of differences as either an adjusting or timing difference or an
error.
• The solution to this question is found in the Introduction to
Financial Accounting Question Bank and Solutions Guide
provided with the prescribed textbook.
• Your lecturer will guide you through the solution.
reconciliation procedure.
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Practice
Now that you have worked through Sections 6.1 to 6.3 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following
Practice
The following information has been taken from the books of Auxetics
Traders on 30 June 20.7:
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Details Amount
Outstanding cheques
CC114 1 690
CC115 2 140
2.3 Cheque no. CC114 still did not appear on the bank statement
for June 20.7.
24 December 20.6.
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2.10 The following cheques appear on the cash payments journal but
not on the bank statement:
Required:
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5.6.6 Summary
In this study unit, we have discussed:
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Self-check activity
Now that you have worked through Learning Unit 6 of the prescribed
textbook in its entirety, with the help of this study unit, you should be
• What are the differences that give rise to the need for a bank
reconciliation?
• What steps would you follow to prepare a bank reconciliation
statement?
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Time It will take you 10 hours to make your way through this unit.
5.7.1 Introduction
Accurate records of every transaction pertaining to individual credit customers and credit supplier
must be kept so that the total amount owing is readily identifiable.
2. how much is due from each customer, and to each supplier, at the end of each month:
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4. which customer accounts have been outstanding for too long and, thus, must be written off
as irrecoverable?
Reading
5.7.3 The structure of the subsidiary ledgers for debtors and creditors
Individual debtors’ accounts
The debtors’ ledger consists of a series of individual debtors’ accounts with a completely different
structure to the accounts in the general ledger.
Reading
Practice
Now that you have worked through Section 7.1 and 7.2 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following
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The creditors’ ledger consists of a series of individual creditors’ accounts with a completely different
structure to the accounts in the general ledger.
Reading
Practice
Now that you have worked through Section 7.1 and 7.2 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following
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Reading
Practice
Now that you have worked through Section 7.3 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following questions in the
prescribed textbook:
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3. control accounts;
Revision questions
Now that you have worked through Learning Unit 7 of the prescribed textbook in
its entirety,
with the help of this study unit, you should be able to answer the
following questions:
What are the differences that give rise to the need to reconcile the
debtors and creditors ledger to the debtors/creditors control
account?
The following information was taken from the books of Jaypeg Stores,
a registered VAT vendor:
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- packing materials
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Year-End Procedures
Purpose The purpose of this study unit is to introduce students on how process the year
end adjustment. In chapter one, we discussed the bookkeeping and accounting
cycle. Income and expenses will need to be closed off against profit and loss,
and the profit and loss will be closed off against the capital account. Only the
Balance sheet section accounts will be remained, which will need to be listed
in the post adjustment trial balance.
Time It will take you 10 hours to make your way through this unit.
5.8.1 Introduction
This Study Unit demonstrates how the bookkeeper makes use of the information accumulated in the
journals, ledgers, and trial balance to determine the financial performance and position of the
enterprise.
1. To determine the financial performance of the business for the past financial year. Financial
performance can be measured by looking at the profit made by the business for the period in question.
The profit of the business is sub-divided into two sections which are gross profit and net profit.
2. To determine the financial position of the business as at the last day of the financial year. The
financial position is reflected by the state of the accounting equation. The statement of financial
position is a statement form of the accounting equation and is drawn up to disclose the financial
position of the business to all the stakeholders of the business. The statement of financial position will
thus show that all assets are equal to the owner’s equity plus all liabilities.
Think point
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Reading
Practice
Now that you have worked through Section 8.1 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following questions in the
prescribed textbook:
5.8.4 Summary
In this study unit, we have discussed:
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Think point
1. In groups, discuss the reasons why new businesses fail and the actions entrepreneurs
can take to ensure the success of their
businesses.
2. What did the other groups come up with? Compare your
answers.
3. This activity is designed to test your ability to think ‘out of the
box’ and work in groups.
4. No solution is provided for this activity. Discuss your answers
with your Lecturer.
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Time It will take you 10 hours to make your way through this unit.
5.8.6 Introduction
In this Study Unit, we explore the bookkeeping and accounting treatment of depreciable assets, with
special reference to the disposal of these assets and the calculation of resultant profits/losses on such
disposals.
5.8.7 Depreciation
Depreciation is the adjustment at the end of a financial year, where the accountant attempts to adjust
the value of the non-current assets to a value which is generally referred to as the net realisable value.
It can also be defined as the loss in value of a non-current asset, due to wear and tear. Depreciation is
classified as an expense account, since inducing depreciation decreases the value of the non-current
asset. If the asset is used for only a part of the financial period, the depreciation is calculated based
on the number of months for which the asset was used.
According to this method, depreciation is calculated on the depreciable amount (cost less residual
amount) of the asset using a pre-determined rate of depreciation. The depreciation rate could be given
as a certain percentage e.g. 10% per annum. If a non-current asset was bought for R 450 000 and its
depreciation rate was given as 10% p.a. the annual depreciation would be 10% of R 450 000, which is
R 45 000.
According to this method, the annual depreciation is calculated as a percentage of the Net Book value
of the asset. The net book value is obtained by deducting the accumulated depreciation on the asset
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from the original cost of the asset. The depreciation rate is then applied to the carrying value to
calculate the depreciation amount for the year, e.g. rate of depreciation is 15%,cost price is R300 0000
and accumulated depreciation is R120 000;The annual depreciation will be 15% of (R300 000R120
000),which is R27 000.
Reading
Practice
Now that you have worked through Section 9.1 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following questions in the
prescribed textbook:
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Reading
Practice
Now that you have worked through Section 9.2 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following questions in the
prescribed textbook:
• Questions 9.4 and 9.5 - These questions are designed to test your
ability to calculate depreciation, accumulated depreciation and the
profit or loss made on sale of a noncurrent asset.
• The solutions to these questions are found in the Introduction to
Financial Accounting Question Bank and Solutions Guide provided
with the prescribed textbook.
• Your lecturer will guide you through the solutions.
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Reading
It is clear that there are four definite steps (in the form of four individual double entries) in the asset
disposal procedure:
Step 1: Take the initial cost price out of the books. Debit asset disposal and credit the asset
account.
Step 2: Take the accumulated depreciation out of the books. Credit asset disposal and debit the
accumulated depreciation account.
Step 3: Record the selling price. Debit bank (cash sale), debtors’ control (credit sale) or creditor’s
control/HP Loan (trade-in) and credit the asset disposal account.
Step 4: Calculate the profit/ (loss) with disposal. Debit/ (credit) the asset disposal and credit/ (debit)
the profit/ (loss) on disposal account.
The entity may dispose of one of its many assets. In this case, the entity will still have to recognise
depreciation on all the assets that have not been sold as at the end of the financial year.
Reading
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Step 1: Take the initial cost price out of the books. Debit asset disposal and credit the asset account.
Step 2 (a): Write additional depreciation off on the asset being sold (covering the period from the
beginning of the financial year to the date the sale takes place).
Step 2 (b): This is the ‘old’ step 2 you are familiar with already. Take the accumulated depreciation out
of the books. Credit asset disposal and debit the accumulated depreciation account.
Step 3: Record the selling price. Debit bank (cash sale), debtors’ control (credit sale) or creditor’s
control/HP creditor account (trade-in) and credit the asset disposal.
Step 4: Calculate the profit/loss with disposal. Debit/ (credit) asset disposal and credit/ (debit) the
profit/ (loss) with asset disposal account.
Reading
Practice
Now that you have worked through Section 9.3 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following question in the
prescribed textbook:
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Reading
Practice
Equipment B5 52 000
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Additional information:
Required:
Practice
Now that you have worked through Section 9.4 of the prescribed
textbook, you should be able to attempt the following question in the
prescribed textbook:
5.8.14 Summary
In this study unit, we have discussed:
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Think point
Using the internet, do research on capital allowances (tax depreciation) and answer the
following questions:
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Time It will take you 10 hours to make your way through this unit.
5.9.1 Introduction
A sole proprietorship is one of the business forms that were discussed in Study Unit 1. In this Study
Unit, we look at the preparation and presentation of the financial statements of the sole
proprietorship.
Refer to Learning Unit 10, Section 10.1 of the prescribed textbook for
a detailed explanation of year-end adjustments as they relate to a sole
proprietorship.
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Reading
Refer to Learning Unit 10, Section 10.1.1 of the prescribed textbook for
a detailed explanation application of the ‘What if?’ scenario.
5.9.4 Depreciation
Depreciation was discussed in detail in Study Unit 9.
Reading
Refer to Learning Unit 10, Section 10.1.3 of the prescribed textbook for
a detailed explanation of the accrual concept and the accounts that
Reading
Refer to Learning Unit 10, Section 10.1.4 of the prescribed textbook for
a detailed explanation of the going concern assumption and when it is
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Reading
Refer to Learning Unit 10, Section 10.1.5 of the prescribed textbook for
a detailed explanation of the qualitative characteristics of financial
statements.
Reading
Refer to Learning Unit 10, Section 10.1, and Example 10.1 of the
prescribed textbook for a detailed application of the Accrual concept in
and again,
Refer to Learning Unit 10, Section 10.1.6 of the prescribed textbook for
a detailed explanation of the recognition of credit losses and the
allowance thereof.
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implication that the allowance for credit losses adjustment account can be either an expense account
(resulting from an upward adjustment in the negative asset account) or an income account (resulting
from a downward adjustment in the negative asset account).
Reading
The examples also show how the adjustment would be recorded in the
general journal, general ledger and eventually posted to the trial
balance.
5.9.10 Inventory
Reading
Refer to Learning Unit 10, Section 10.2 and Example 10.5 of the
prescribed textbook for a demonstration of the preparation and
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Reading
Refer to Learning Unit 10, Section 10.3 and Example 10.6 of the
prescribed textbook for a demonstration of the preparation and
Practice
Now that you have worked through Sections 10.1 to 10.3 of the
prescribed textbook, you should be able to attempt the following
5.9.12 Summary
In this study unit, we have discussed:
• the year-end adjustments including depreciation and how they fit into the preparation of
financial statements for a sole proprietorship;
• the accrual concept and going concern assumption in the context of preparation of financial
statements of a sole proprietorship;
• the qualitative characteristics of financial statements;
• credit losses and the allowances for credit losses;
• adjusting of allowances for credit losses; and
• the use of the perpetual and periodic inventory systems in preparing the financial statements
of the sole proprietorship.
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Practice
Drawings B2 8 000
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Land and buildings B3 550 000
Vehicles B4 240 000
Financial Accounting 1A Damelin ©
Accumulated depreciation: Vehicles B5 60 000
Bank B9 4 460
Telephone N6 38 040
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VAT
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Self-check activity
Now that you have worked through Learning Unit 10 of the prescribed
textbook in its entirety, with the help of this study unit, you should be
6. References
Badenhorst, W., Kotze, L. & Pretorius, D., 2019. Gaap Handbook. 1st ed. Durban: Lexisnesis.
Binnekade, C. S. et al., 2017. Group Statements Volume 1. 17th ed. Durban: LexisNexis
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