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Long Answer Questions · Q5

Q.How will you deal with a change in profit sharing ratio among existing partners? Take imaginary figures to illustrate your answer.

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A change in profit-sharing ratio among existing partners is treated as a reconstitution of the partnership, requiring adjustments for accumulated reserves, goodwill, and revaluation of assets/liabilities. The key result is that partners' capital accounts are adjusted to reflect the new ratio, with any gain or loss compensated through a sacrifice/gain adjustment (often via a journal entry debiting gaining partners and crediting sacrificing partners).

Concept and Accounting Treatment

When existing partners decide to change their profit-sharing ratio, the partnership is reconstituted without admitting a new partner or retiring an old one. The fundamental accounting principle here is that all accumulated profits, reserves, and losses (including goodwill) belong to the partners in their old ratio. Changing the ratio means some partners sacrifice a portion of their future profits, while others gain. The accounting treatment ensures that no partner is unfairly enriched or impoverished by the change.

The key steps are:

  1. Revalue assets and liabilities to their current fair values (if the change is effective from a date, revaluation is optional but prudent).
  2. Adjust accumulated reserves, profits, and goodwill in the old ratio.
  3. Compensate sacrificing partners by the gaining partners through a direct capital adjustment.

The journal entry for the sacrifice/gain adjustment is:

  • Debit the gaining partners' capital accounts (with their share of gain)
  • Credit the sacrificing partners' capital accounts (with their share of sacrifice)

This is based on the rule: "Gaining partner compensates the sacrificing partner." No cash changes hands; it's a book adjustment.

Illustration with Imaginary Figures

Let's take a simple example:

Partners: A and B

Old Ratio: 3:2

New Ratio: 1:1 (equal)

Capital Balances (before adjustment): A = ₹1,00,000; B = ₹80,000

General Reserve: ₹50,000

Goodwill (self-generated, not recorded): ₹60,000

Revaluation Loss: ₹10,000 (due to decrease in asset value)

Step 1: Calculate Sacrifice/Gain

PartnerOld ShareNew ShareDifferenceNature
A3/5 = 0.61/2 = 0.5-0.1Sacrifice
B2/5 = 0.41/2 = 0.5+0.1Gain

A sacrifices 1/10th share; B gains 1/10th share.

Step 2: Adjust General Reserve

General Reserve of ₹50,000 must be distributed in old ratio (3:2).

PartnerShareAmount (₹)
A3/530,000
B2/520,000

Journal Entry:

DateParticularsL.F.Debit (₹)Credit (₹)
General Reserve A/c Dr.50,000
To A's Capital A/c30,000
To B's Capital A/c20,000
(Being reserve distributed in old ratio)

Step 3: Adjust Goodwill

Goodwill of ₹60,000 (not recorded) needs adjustment. The gaining partner (B) must compensate the sacrificing partner (A) for the goodwill.

Calculation:

  • A's sacrifice = 1/10 of ₹60,000 = ₹6,000
  • B's gain = 1/10 of ₹60,000 = ₹6,000

Journal Entry:

DateParticularsL.F.Debit (₹)Credit (₹)
B's Capital A/c Dr.6,000
To A's Capital A/c6,000
(Being goodwill adjusted for change in ratio)

Step 4: Revaluation of Assets/Liabilities

Assume a revaluation loss of ₹10,000 (e.g., machinery depreciated). This loss is shared in old ratio.

PartnerShareAmount (₹)
A3/56,000
B2/54,000

Journal Entry:

DateParticularsL.F.Debit (₹)Credit (₹)
A's Capital A/c Dr.6,000
B's Capital A/c Dr.4,000
To Revaluation A/c10,000
(Being revaluation loss transferred to partners in old ratio)

Step 5: Final Capital Accounts

Now, let's prepare the partners' capital accounts after all adjustments.

A's Capital Account …

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