AHSEC - Class 11: Depreciation, Provisions and Reserves for Upcoming Exam | Class 11 Accountancy Notes

[Class 11 Accountancy Notes, AHSEC, CBSE, Chapter Wise Notes, Depreciation, Provisions, Reserves]

Class 11 Accountancy Notes
AHSEC Class 11 Notes
Unit - 5: Depreciation, Provisions and Reserves

Q.N.1. What is depreciation? What are its objectives or Causes?   2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2018

Ans: Depreciation: The word depreciation is derived from a Latin word “Depretium” where “De” means decline and “pretium” means price. Thus, the word “Depretium” stands for decline in the value of assets. It stands for gradual and continuous decline. In simple words, Depreciation may be defined as permanent decrease in the value of assets due to Use and /or the lapse of the time.                           2007, 2009

According to Carter, “Depreciation may be defined as the permanent and gradual decrease in the Value of assets from any cause.’’

Characteristics or Features of Depreciation

a)      Depreciation may be physical and Functional.

b)      It is a non cash expenses.

c)       It is a charge against Profit.

d)      Depreciation is charged in respect of fixed assets only.

Objectives or causes for providing depreciation      2016, 2017, 2019

a)      To find out correct cost of goods manufactured.

b)      To find out correct profit for the year.

c)       To provide for replacement of assets.

d)      To find out correct financial position.

e)      To reduce tax burden.

Q.N.2. What are the various causes of depreciation?     2010

Ans: Causes of Depreciation: The causes of decline on the book value of fixed assets may be divided into two categories:

1)      Physical: Physical causes may be as follows

a)      Wear and tear

b)      Destruction

2)      Functional: Functional causes may be as follows

a)      Obsolescence

b)      Inadequacy

c)       Effluxion of time

d)      Depletion

e)      Exhaustion

Q.N.3 Define the following terms: Depletion, Amortisation, Dilapidation and obsolescence.

Ans. Depletion: Depletion implies removal of available resources e.g. Coal from Coal mine, Oil out of Oil well.

Amortisation: The process of writing off intangible assets such as goodwill, patents, and trademarks etc. is called amortisation.

Dilapidation: The term Dilapidation reduces to damage done to a building or other property during tendency.

Obsolescence: When an asset becomes out dated due to new or improved technology or invention, this is called Obsolescence.

Q.N.4 Explain the basic factors on which the calculation of depreciation depends?         1997

Ans: For determining the amount of depreciation on fixed assets, following factors should be considered:

a)      Cost of asset

b)      Estimated working life of the assets.

c)       Estimated salvage/residual/ scarp value which is estimated to be realised when asset is sold.

d)      Provision for repairs and renewals required to keep the asset in good condition.

e)      Addition and subtraction during the life of the asset.

f)       Obsolescence of asset due to change in technology.

Q.N.5 what are various method of Depreciation?             2004, 2008,

Ans: Methods of Depreciation classified under the following groups:

(1)Uniform charge methods: (a) fixed installment method. (b) Depletion method (c) Machine hour rate method

(2)Declining charged method: (a) Diminishing balance method (b)Sum of years Digit method. (c)Double Declining method

(3)Others method: (a)Group Depreciation method (b)Annuity method (c)Inventory system of Depreciation (d)Insurance policy method

Q.N.6 Explain fixed installments and Diminishing balance method.        2004, 2005

Ans: Fixed installments method: Under this method depreciation is charged on original cost of the assets on uniform basis .The value of the assets can be reduced to ‘O’ under this method.

Merits:

(1) It is simplest to understand and easy to apply.

(2)The value of the assets can be reduce to zero under this method.

Demerits:

(1) Under this method, same amount of Depreciation is charged from year to year, irrespective of use of the assets.

(2)With the passage of time efficiency of assets decreases but the amount of Depreciation remains the same.

Diminishing Balance method:-Under this method a fixed rate of depreciation is charged each year on the diminishing value of the assets till the amount is reduced to scrap value.

Merits:

(1) The amount of depreciation decreases continuously with the decrease in the life of assets.

(2) High amount of Depreciation is provided in earlier year thus reducing the impact of Obsolescence

Demerits:

(1) The book value of assets can never be zero.

(2)The determination of a suitable rate of Depreciation is also difficult.

Q.N.7 Distinguish between Fixed installment method and reducing Installment method (Diminishing Balance method).

Ans: Difference between fixed installment and reducing installment method are given below:

(1)The rate and amount of depreciation remains the same each year under fixed installment method. The rate remains the same, but amount of Depreciation reduces each year under reducing balance method.

(2)Depreciation is calculated on original cost under fixed installment method. Depreciation is charged on the diminishing value of assets under reducing Balance Method.

(3)The book value of assets reduces to zero under straight line method. The book value of assets can never be zero under reducing balance method.

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Q.N.8 Define the following terms:

1)      Reserve: Reserve is an amount set aside out of profits which are not designed to meet any obligation .It is an appropriation of profits.

2)      Capital Reserve: Profits which may arise from a source other than normal trading activities are called capital reserve e.g. profit on sale of fixed assets.

3)      Revenue Reserve: ( same as reserve)

4)      General reserve: Reserve which is created out of not for any specific purposes but for strengthening financial position is called General Reserve.

5)      Special Reserve: Reserves created for any special purpose is known a specific reserve i.e. dividend equalisation fund.

6)      Sinking Fund: It is a fund that is created for the purpose of replacement of a long term liability either charged against profit or by way of appropriation of profits.

7)      Provisions: Provision means provided for their possible loss or liability which cannot be determined exactly e.g. provision of doubtful debts.

8)      Secret Reserve:  A reserve which is not disclosed on the face of balance sheet but is hidden in various items of balance sheet is called “Secret Reserve” e.g. creating more provision, charging more depreciation.

Q.N.9. What is provisions and reserves? What are its various types? Distinguish between them.  2010, 2015, 2018

Ans: Provisions: The term ‘provision’ means an amount, which is: written off, or retained, by way of providing for depreciation, renewals, diminution in the value of assets; or retained by way of providing for any unknown future liability of which the amount cannot be determined with reasonable accuracy.

Examples of provisions are: Provision for depreciation; Provision for bad and doubtful debts; Provision for taxation; Provision for discount on debtors; and Provision for repairs and renewals.

Reserves: A part of the profit may be set aside and retained in the business to provide for certain future needs like growth and expansion or to meet future contingencies such as workmen compensation are called reserves. Unlike provisions, reserves are the appropriations of profit to strengthen the financial position of the business. Reserve is not a charge against profit as it is not meant to cover any known liability or expected loss in future.

Examples of reserves are: General reserve; Workmen compensation fund; Investment fluctuation fund; Capital reserve; Dividend equalization reserve; Reserve for redemption of debenture.

Difference between Provisions and Reserves:                  2010, 2019

a)      Provision is a charge on profits and reduces the amount of net profits. Whereas Reserves is an appropriation of profits and reflects undistributed profits.

b)      Provision is to be made even if there are no profits. On the other hand, Reserve is created only when there are profits.

c)       Provision creation is compulsory. But Reserves creation is at the discretion of Management.

d)      Dividend cannot be paid out of provisions. But dividend can be paid out of reserves.

e)      Provisions are utilised for specific purpose for which it has been created. But, reserves can be utilised for any purpose.

Q.N.10. Distinguish between depreciation and fluctuation.                        2007

Ans: Fluctuation is a temporary upward or downward variation in the market price of fixed assets but depreciation is a permanent decrease in the value of fixed assets. Fluctuation does not affect the profitability because it is not taken into consideration but depreciation is shown in profit and loss account due to which profit is reduced.