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Q.In case the partners' capitals are fixed, in which account will withdrawal of capital be recorded ?

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2020Subjective· 1mImportance★★★★★
✓ Free question

When partners' capitals are fixed, a withdrawal of capital is recorded in the Partner's Capital Account.

In partnership accounting, there are two primary methods for maintaining partners' capital accounts: the Fluctuating Capital Method and the Fixed Capital Method. The choice of method dictates where various transactions affecting partners are recorded.

Under the Fluctuating Capital Method, only one account, the Partner's Capital Account, is maintained for each partner. All transactions related to the partner, such as interest on capital, salary, commission, share of profit or loss, drawings, and introduction or withdrawal of capital, are recorded directly in this single Capital Account. As a result, the balance of this account fluctuates from period to period.

However, the question specifically refers to the Fixed Capital Method. Under this method, two separate accounts are maintained for each partner:

  1. Partner's Capital Account: This account records only transactions that permanently increase or decrease the capital invested by the partner. These include the initial capital contribution, any additional capital introduced, and any permanent withdrawal of capital. The balance of this account generally remains fixed unless there is an introduction of additional capital or a permanent withdrawal of capital.
  2. Partner's Current Account: This account records all other transactions related to the partner that are not permanent changes to their capital. This includes interest on capital, partner's salary, commission, share of profit or loss, and drawings against profit. The balance of the Current Account fluctuates and can be either a debit or a credit balance.

The term "withdrawal of capital" specifically implies a permanent reduction in the capital amount initially contributed or subsequently added by a partner to the firm. It is distinct from "drawings," which typically refer to withdrawals made by partners against their share of expected profits during the accounting period.

Since the Partner's Capital Account is designed to reflect the permanent investment by a partner, any transaction that permanently alters this investment, such as a permanent withdrawal of capital, must be recorded directly in the Partner's Capital Account. This reduces the partner's permanent capital contribution to the firm.

Watch out

It is crucial to distinguish between "withdrawal of capital" and "drawings." "Withdrawal of capital" is a permanent reduction in the capital invested and affects the Capital Account under the fixed capital method. "Drawings" are withdrawals against profits and are recorded in the Current Account under the fixed capital method.

✓Final answer

When partners' capitals are fixed, a withdrawal of capital is recorded in the Partner's Capital Account.

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