SINGLE ENTRY SYSTEM

1. SINGLE ENTRY SYSTEM

2. Meaning • Under Double Entry system of book-keeping both the aspects of each and every transaction are recorded. • However, in Single Entry system of accounting both the aspects of business transactions are not recorded in the books of accounts. Only one aspect of the transaction i.e. personal is recorded and the other aspect is ignored.

3. For example, • If goods are sold to customers on credit, then only customer’s account will be debited. Goods account will not be credited. • Such a system of accounting is called ‘Single Entry system’ of accounting. Under this system, only the accounts which are absolutely necessary are maintained. Other accounts i.e. nominal and real accounts are not maintained except the cash account. All customer’s and creditor’s accounts are maintained. • As all the accounts are not maintained, it is possible that some transactions may not be recorded at all. • Therefore, under Single Entry system, the books of accounts are incomplete and cannot provide the correct results and information.

4. Features 1) Only sole trader and partnership organizations may keep their books of accounts under this system. 2) Under this system only cash and personal accounts are kept 3) Cash book may contain proprietor’s business as well as personal transactions. 4) For getting factual information, it will be necessary to refer to the original documents. 5)There is no uniformity in maintenance of accounts. 6) Only one aspect of the transaction is recorded.

5. Advantages • It is a most simple method of recording business transactions. • Maintenance of accounts does not require adequate knowledge of the principles of book-keeping. • It is less costlier than double entry book keeping. • Determination of profit or loss is much easier. • It is suitable to small concerns having limited number of transactions and a few assets and liabilities.

6. Disadvantages • It is not a scientific method-Arithmetical accuracy of accounts cannot be checked as Trial Balance cannot be prepared. • This system gives scope for misappropriations and frauds. • Trading account cannot be prepared as Goods accounts are not maintained. Thus, Gross Profit cannot be ascertained. • Profit and loss account also cannot be prepared as the accounts of expenses and income are not prepared. Hence profit and loss cannot be directly ascertained. • Balance sheet cannot be prepared directly as real accounts and other accounts are not maintained. • In the absence of final accounts it becomes difficult to know the exact financial position of the business. • Tax returns may not be correct.

7. Difference between single entry and double entry system

8. Methods of computing profit and loss when the accounts are kept under single entry system: • 1. statement of Affairs method:- Under this method, prepare statement of affairs:- • at the beginning of the year, and • at the end of the year, to ascertain the amount of capital at the beginning of the year and at the end of the year.

9. While preparing statement of affairs at the end, the value of assets should be shown as under:- • 1. Fixed Assets---- cost less depreciation and after adjustment for profit & loss for sale of asset. • 2. Debtors----------- after adjusting bad debts, RDD and discount on debtors • 3. Stock -------------- physical counting. • 4. Outstanding/prepaid expenses or income :- as per actual data. • 5. cash on hand------ as per physical count and cash book. • 6. Bank balance------- as per cash book or pass book, if cash book is not maintained. • 7. loan taken/given----- as per actual data.

10. After preparing both the statements of affairs, and computing opening and closing balance of capital. Next step is to find out profit or loss for the year. This can be ascertained as follows:- Statement of Profit/Loss:- Capital at the end of the year--------------------------------------------- xxx Add:- Drawings made during the year in cash and goods------------ xxx xxx Less:- Additional capital introduced xxx xxx Less:- Capital at the beginning xxx Profit xxx

11. Machinery A/c

12. Method of Depreciation • Annuity Method : Under this method depreciation is charged after taking into account the interest lost on investment in the asset and calculated from annuity tables. Firstly the interest is debited to asset account at the fixed rate of interest and credited to interest account. • Features: 1) It recognizes the time value of money 2) The annuity table facilitates the computation of annual depreciation 3) Every year same amount of depreciation is charged

13. Machine hour rate method • Under this method life of the asset is fixed in terms of hours. In this method an hourly rate of depreciation is found by dividing cost of the asset by total number of hours for which the machine is expected to be used. The dep. to be written off in a year ascertained by multiplying the hourly rate of depreciation by number of hours that machine has actually run in a year. • Machine hour rate= Cost of Machine/Estimated total life

14. Service hour rate method • Under this method the running time of asset is taken into account for calculation of depreciation. For example Estimated life of aircraft is determined in terms of hours. • The formula for calculation R= C-S/N

15. Depletion Method • Depletion method is used in respect of asset such as mines, quarries from which certain quantity of output is expected to be generated Rate of depreciation = Cost/ estimated Output

16. Revaluation Method • Under this method, the asset is revalued at the end of accounting year. This value is compared with the value of asset at the beginning of the year. The difference between two is treated as depreciation

17. Sum of the Digit Method • This method has been invented by American Accountants. In this method depreciation to be charged constantly reduces • Depreciation = Amount to be written off ------------------------------------ X Number of years remaining of the asset including current year Total of all the digit representing the life of the asset Cost of machine 1,00000 Life = 3 years Dep. in first Year= 1,00,000 ------------ X 3 3+2+1 = 50,000

18. Single Entry System

19. Single Entry system • A system of book keeping in which only one records of cash and personal accounts are maintained, it is always incomplete double entry, varying with circumstances. • Features: 1) Only sole trader and partnership may keep their books of accounts under this system 2) Joint stock companies cannot keep their accounts as per this system 3) Under this system, only cash and personal accounts are kept, impersonal and other accounts are not maintained 4) Under this system only one aspects of transaction is recorded

20. Drawbacks • Arithmetical accuracy • Scope for misappropriation • Trading account cannot be prepared • B/S Profit and loss account cannot be prepared • Difficult to know the exact financial position • Sale of business- difficult to determine Purchase Consideration • Tax returns will not be correct

21. Conversion method • Under conversion method an attempt is made to prepare complete final accounts from available records by first completing double entry to the extent possible. This process requires preparation of control accounts. • For preparation of accounts, following will be necessary • Trading and Profit and Loss Accounts • Balance sheet • Debtors Accounts • Creditors Accounts • Statement of Affairs

22. Statement of Affairs a/c