1) What is accounting?

Option 1- Accounting is the process of identifying, measuring and communicating the economic information of an organization to its users who need the information for decision making.

Option 2- Accounting is a process of knowing whether the business is on sound track.

Option 3 – It enables to prepare a list of customers and suppliers to ascertain the amount to be received or paid.

Option 4 – Accounting is compulsory in case of registered firm.

Explanation:
Ans- Option 1, In simple terms according to the information system accounting is a process of identifying, measuring and communicating the economic information of an organization to its users so that they can make a decision as to how to make an investment in any organization, i.e. whether the company in which they are investing is profit making or loss bearing company.

2) Who are the owners of the company? Option 1- investers
Option 2- Management
Option 3- Shareholders
Option 4- Directors

Answer –Option 3—As shareholders are the people who pay money and invest their capital in the company and so indirectly they become the owners of the company.

A company form of organisation is the third stage in the evolution of forms of organisation. Its capital is contributed by a large number of persons called shareholders who are the real owners of the company. But neither it is possible for all of them to participate in the management of the company nor considered desirable. Therefore, they elect a Board of Directors as their representative to manage the affairs of the company. In fact, all the affairs of the company are governed by the provisions of the
Companies Act, 1956. A company means a company incorporated or registered under the Companies Act,
1956 or under any other earlier Companies Acts.
According to Chief Justice Marshal, “a company is a person, artificial, invisible, intangible and existing only in the eyes of law. Being a mere creation of law, it possesses only those properties which the charter of its creation confers upon it, either expressly or as incidental to its very existence”.
A company usually raises its capital in the form of shares (called share capital) and debentures (debt capital.) This chapter deals with the accounting for share capital of companies.
1.1 Features of a Company
A company may be viewed as an association of person who contribute money or money’s worth to a common inventory and use it for a common purpose. It is an artificial person having or corporate legal entity distinct from its members (shareholders) and has a common seal used for its signature. Thus,
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying this chapter, you will be able to :
• Explain the basic nature of a joint stock company as a form of business organisation and the various kinds of companies based on liability of their members; • describe the types of shares issued by a company; • explain the accounting treatment of shares issued at par, at premium and at a discount including oversubsription; • outline the accounting for forfeiture of shares and reissue of forfeited shares under varying situations; • workout the amounts to be transferred to capital reserve when forfeited
• shares are reissued; and
• prepare share forfeited account ;
Accounting for Share Capital 1
2 Accountancy : Company Accounts and Analysis of Financial Statements it has certain special features which distinguish it from the other forms of organisation. These are as follows:
• Body Corporate: A company is formed according to the provisions of
Law enforced from time to time. Generally, in India, the companies are formed and registered under Companies Law except in the case of Banking and Insurance companies for which a separate Law is provided for.
• Separate Legal Entity: A company has a separate legal entity which is distinct and separate from its members. It can hold and deal with any type of property. It can enter into contracts and even open a bank account in its own name. It can sue others as well as be sued by others.
• Limited Liability: The liability of the members of the company is limited to the unpaid amount of the shares held by them. In the case of the companies limited by guarantee, the liability of its members is limited to the extent of the guarantee given by them in the event of the company being wound up.
• Perpetual Succession: The company being an artificial person created by law continues to exist irrespactive of the changes in its membership.
A company can be terminated only through law. The death or insanity or insolvency of any member of the company in no way affects the existence of the company. Members may come and go but the company continues. • Common Seal: The company being an artificial person, cannot sign its name by itself. Therefore, every company is required to have its own seal which acts as an official signatures of the company. Any document which does not carry the common seal of the company is not binding on the company. • Transferability of Shares: The shares of a public limited company are freely transferable. The permission of the company or the consent of any member of the company is not necessary for the transfer of shares. But the Articles of the company can prescribe the manner in which the transfer of shares will be made.
• May Sue or be Sued: A company being a legal person can enter into contracts and can enforce the contractual rights against others. It can sue and be sued in its name if there is a breach of contract by the company.
1.2 Kinds of a Company
Companies can be classified either on the basis of the liability of its members or on the basis of the number of members. On the basis of liability of its members the companies can be classified into the following three categories:
(i) Companies Limited by Shares: In this case, the liability of its members is limited to the extent of the nominal value of shares held by them. If a member has paid the full amount of the shares, there is no liability on
Accounting for Share Capital 3 his part whatsoever may be the debts of the company. He need not pay a single paise from his private property. However, if there is any liability involved, it can be enforced during the existence of the company as well as during the winding up.
(ii) Companies Limited by Guarantee: In this case, the liability of its members is limited to the amount they undertake to contribute in the event of the company being wound up. Thus, the liability of the members will arise only in the event of its winding up.
(iii) Unlimited Companies: When there is no limit on the liability of its members, the company is called an unlimited company. When the company’s property is not sufficient to pay off its debts, the private property of its members can be used for the purpose. In other words, the creditors can claim their dues from its members. Such companies are not found in India even though permitted by the Companies Act, 1956.
On the basis of the number of members, a company can be divided into two categories as follows:
(i) Public Company: A public company means a company which (a) is not a private company, (b) has minimum capital of Rs. 5 lakh on such higher paid-up capital may be prescribed, and (c) is a private company which is a subsidiary of which is not a private company.
(ii) Private Company: A private company is one which has a minimum paid up capital of Rs. 1 Lakh or such higher paid-up capital as may be prescribed by its Articles :
(a) restricts the right to transfer its shares;
(b) limits the number of its members to fifty (excluding its employees);
(c) prohibits any invitation to the public to subscribe for any shares in or debentures of the company.
(d) prohibits any invitation or acceptance of deposits from person other than its members, directors, and relatives.
1.3 Share Capital of a Company
A company, being an artificial person, cannot generate its own capital which has necessarily to be collected from several persons. These persons are known as shareholders and the amount contributed by them is called share capital.
Since the number of shareholders is very very large, a separate capital account cannot be opened for each one of them. Hence, innumerable streams of capital contribution merge their identities in a common capital account called as ‘Share
Capital Account’.
1.3.1 Categories of Share Capital
From accounting point of view the share capital of the company can be classified
4 Accountancy : Company Accounts and Analysis of Financial Statements as follows:
• Authorised Capital: Authorised capital is the amount of share capital which a company is authorised to issue by its Memorandum of
Association. The company cannot raise more than the amount of capital as specified in the Memorandum of Association. It is also called Nominal or Registered capital. The authorised capital can be increased or decreased as per the procedure laid down in the Companies Act. It should be noted that the company need not issue the entire authorised capital for public subscription at a time. Depending upon its requirement, it may issue share capital but in any case, it should not be more than the amount of authorised capital.
• Issued Capital: It is that part of the authorised capital which is actually issued to the public for subscription including the shares allotted to vendors and the signatories to the company’s memorandum. The authorised capital which is not offered for public subscription is known as ‘unissued capital’. Unissued capital may be offered for public subscription at a later date.
• Subscribed Capital: It is that part of the issued capital which has been actually subscribed by the public. When the shares offered for public subscription are subscribed fully by the public the issued capital and subscribed capital would be the same. It may be noted that ultimately, the subscribed capital and issued capital are the same because if the number of share, subscribed is less than what is offered, the company allot only the number of shares for which subscription has been received. In case it is higher than what is offered, the allotment will be equal to the offer. In other words, the fact of over subscription is not reflected in the books.
• Calledup Capital: It is that part of the subscribed capital which has been called up on the shares. The company may decide to call the entire amount or part of the face value of the shares. For example, if the face value (also called nominal value) of a share allotted is Rs. 10 and the company has called up only Rs. 7 per share, in that scenario, the called up capital is
Rs. 7 per share. The remaining Rs. 3 may be collected from its shareholders as and when needed.
• Paid-up Capital: It is that portion of the called up capital which has been actually received from the shareholders. When the share-holders have paid all the call amount, the called-up capital is the same to the paid-up capital. If any of the shareholders has not paid amount on calls, such an amount may be called as ‘calls in arrears’. Therefore, paid-up capital is equal to the called-up capital minus call-in-arrears.
• Uncalled Capital: That portion of the subscribed capital which has not yet been called-up. As stated earlier, the company may collect this amount any time when it needs further funds.
Accounting for Share Capital 5
• Reserve Capital: A company may reserve a portion of its uncalled capital to be called only in the event of winding up of the company. Such uncalled amount is called ‘Reserve Capital’ of the company. It is available only for the creditors on winding up of the company.
Authorised Share Capital
Unreserved Capital Reserved Capital
Issued Share Capital Unissued Share Capital
Issued Subscribed
Subscribed and fully paid up Subscribed but not fully paid up
Fig. 1.1 : Categories of Share Capital
Let us take the following example and show how the share capital will be shown in the balance sheet. Sunrise Company Ltd., New Delhi, has registered its capital as Rs. 40,00,000, divided into 4,00,000 shares of Rs. 10 each. The company offered to the public for subscription of 2,00,000 shares of Rs. 10 each, as Rs. 2 on application, Rs.3 on allotment, Rs.3 on first call and the balance on final call. The company received applications for 2,50,000 shares. The company finalised the allotment on 2,00,000 shares and rejected applications for 50,000 shares. The company did not make the final call. The company received all the amount except on 2,000 shares where call money has not been received.
The above amounts will be shown in the balance sheet of a company as follows:
Sunrise Company Ltd.
Balance Sheet as at ..............
Share Capital (Rs.)
Authorised or Registered or Nominal Capital:
4,00,000 Shares of Rs. 10 each 40,00,000
Issued Capital
2,00,000 Shares of Rs. 10 each 20,00,000
6 Accountancy : Company Accounts and Analysis of Financial Statements
Subscribed but not fully paid up 16,00,000
2,00,000 Shares of Rs. 10 each, Rs. 8 called up
Less : Calls in arrears (6,000) 15,94,000