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Meera, Sarthak and Rohit were partners sharing profits in the ratio of 2 : 2 : 1. On 31 March, 2018, their Balance Sheet was as follows :

Balance Sheet of Meera, Sarthak and Rohit as at 31 March, 2018

LiabilitiesAmount ₹AssetsAmount ₹
Creditors3,00,000Fixed Assets7,00,000
Contingency Reserve1,00,000Stock2,00,000
Capital :Debtors1,50,000
Meera4,00,000Cash at bank3,50,000
Sarthak3,50,000
Rohit2,50,000
14,00,00014,00,000

Sarthak died on 15th June, 2018. According to the partnership deed, his executors were entitled to : (i) Balance in his Capital Account. (ii) His share of goodwill will be calculated on the basis of thrice the average of the past 4 years' profits. (iii) His share in profits up to the date of death on the basis of average profits of the last two years. The time period for which he survived in the year of death will be calculated in months. (iv) Interest on capital @ 12% p.a. up to the date of his death. The firm's profits for the last four years were : 2014 – 15 ₹ 1,20,000, 2015 – 16 ₹ 2,00,000, 2016 – 17 ₹ 2,60,000 and 2017 – 18 ₹ 2,20,000. Sarthak's executors were paid the amount due immediately. Prepare Sarthak's Capital Account to be presented to his executors.

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2019Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
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Sarthak's Capital Account will show a credit balance of ₹6,58,750, which is the amount due to his executors.

When a partner dies, their Capital Account needs to be prepared to determine the final amount payable to their legal representatives (executors). This account consolidates all entitlements of the deceased partner, including their capital balance, share of accumulated reserves, share of goodwill, share of profits up to the date of death, and interest on capital. The fundamental accounting principle here is that the deceased partner, like any outgoing partner, is entitled to their share of the firm's assets and profits up to the date of their departure.

The deceased partner's Capital Account is credited with:

  • Their opening capital balance.
  • Their share of accumulated profits or reserves (like Contingency Reserve).
  • Their share of goodwill (compensated by the gaining partners).
  • Their share of profit from the beginning of the current accounting period up to the date of death.
  • Interest on capital up to the date of death.

Any drawings or interest on drawings would be debited, but there are none in this question.

Let's calculate each component that Sarthak's executors are entitled to.

Working Notes

1. Sarthak's Capital Account Balance

Sarthak's capital balance as per the Balance Sheet on March 31, 2018, is ₹3,50,000. This is the starting point for his Capital Account.

2. Sarthak's Share of Contingency Reserve

Contingency Reserve is an accumulated profit that belongs to partners in their profit-sharing ratio. Upon a partner's death, their share of such reserves is credited to their Capital Account.

  • Contingency Reserve = ₹1,00,000
  • Sarthak's profit sharing ratio = 25\frac{2}{5}
  • Sarthak's share = ₹1,00,000×25=₹40,000₹1,00,000 \times \frac{2}{5} = ₹40,000 This amount will be credited to Sarthak's Capital Account.

3. Sarthak's Share of Goodwill

Goodwill is an intangible asset representing the reputation and earning capacity of the firm. When a partner dies, their share of goodwill is calculated and compensated by the remaining partners in their gaining ratio.

  • Step 1: Calculate Average Profits for the last 4 years.
    • Profits: ₹1,20,000 (2014-15), ₹2,00,000 (2015-16), ₹2,60,000 (2016-17), ₹2,20,000 (2017-18)
    • Total Profits = ₹1,20,000+₹2,00,000+₹2,60,000+₹2,20,000=₹8,00,000₹1,20,000 + ₹2,00,000 + ₹2,60,000 + ₹2,20,000 = ₹8,00,000
    • Average Profits = ₹8,00,0004 years=₹2,00,000\frac{₹8,00,000}{4 \text{ years}} = ₹2,00,000
  • Step 2: Calculate Firm's Goodwill.
    • Goodwill is thrice the average of the past 4 years' profits.
    • Firm's Goodwill = 3×₹2,00,000=₹6,00,0003 \times ₹2,00,000 = ₹6,00,000
  • Step 3: Calculate Sarthak's Share of Goodwill.
    • Sarthak's share = ₹6,00,000×25=₹2,40,000₹6,00,000 \times \frac{2}{5} = ₹2,40,000
  • Step 4: Determine Gaining Ratio and distribute Sarthak's share.
    • Old Ratio (Meera : Sarthak : Rohit) = 2 : 2 : 1
    • Sarthak dies. Remaining partners are Meera and Rohit.
    • New Ratio (Meera : Rohit) = 2 : 1 (since no other information is given, the old ratio between continuing partners becomes the new ratio and also the gaining ratio).
    • Meera's share of goodwill = ₹2,40,000×23=₹1,60,000₹2,40,000 \times \frac{2}{3} = ₹1,60,000
    • Rohit's share of goodwill = ₹2,40,000×13=₹80,000₹2,40,000 \times \frac{1}{3} = ₹80,000
    • Meera's Capital Account and Rohit's Capital Account will be debited, and Sarthak's Capital Account will be credited with his share of goodwill.

4. Sarthak's Share in Profits up to the Date of Death

Sarthak is entitled to his share of profit from the beginning of the current accounting year (April 1, 2018) until his death (June 15, 2018). This profit is estimated based on the average profits of the last two years.

  • Step 1: Calculate Average Profits for the last 2 years.
    • Profits: ₹2,60,000 (2016-17), ₹2,20,000 (2017-18)
    • Total Profits = ₹2,60,000+₹2,20,000=₹4,80,000₹2,60,000 + ₹2,20,000 = ₹4,80,000
    • Average Profits = ₹4,80,0002 years=₹2,40,000\frac{₹4,80,000}{2 \text{ years}} = ₹2,40,000 (This is the estimated annual profit)
  • Step 2: Calculate the time period Sarthak was alive in the current year.
    • From April 1, 2018, to June 15, 2018.
    • April = 1 month
    • May = 1 month
    • June = 15 days = 0.5 month
    • Total period = 2.5 months.
    • Fraction of the year = 2.512\frac{2.5}{12}
  • Step 3: Calculate Firm's Estimated Profit for 2.5 months.
    • Firm's Profit = ₹2,40,000×2.512=₹50,000₹2,40,000 \times \frac{2.5}{12} = ₹50,000 …

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