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Q.Meera, Myra and Neera were partners sharing profits in the ratio of 2 : 2 : 1. They decided to share future profits in the ratio of 7 : 5 : 3 with effect from 1st April, 2019. Their Balance Sheet as on that date showed a balance of ₹ 45,000 in Advertisement Suspense Account. The amount to be debited respectively to the capital accounts of Meera, Myra and Neera for writing off the amount in Advertisement Suspense Account will be : (A) ₹ 18,000, ₹ 18,000 and ₹ 9,000 (B) ₹ 15,000, ₹ 15,000 and ₹ 15,000 (C) ₹ 21,000, ₹ 15,000 and ₹ 9,000 (D) ₹ 22,500, ₹ 22,500 and Nil

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2020MCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★
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The Advertisement Suspense Account balance of ₹45,000 must be written off in the old profit-sharing ratio of 2 : 2 : 1, debiting Meera ₹18,000, Myra ₹18,000 and Neera ₹9,000. Answer: (A)

Concept: Treatment of Accumulated Losses on Change in Profit-Sharing Ratio

When partners change their profit-sharing ratio, any accumulated losses, fictitious assets, or deferred revenue expenditure appearing on the asset side of the Balance Sheet must be written off. The Advertisement Suspense Account represents deferred advertising expenditure—an intangible asset with no realisable value—and is effectively a loss that has been carried forward.

The fundamental principle is this: losses that accumulated under the old arrangement belong to the partners in their old profit-sharing ratio. The new ratio applies only to future profits and losses arising after the reconstitution date. Writing off the suspense account is a past adjustment, so we debit the partners' capital accounts in the ratio that existed when the expenditure was originally deferred.

The accounting treatment follows the rule: Debit all partners' capital accounts (individually) and Credit Advertisement Suspense Account to eliminate it from the books.

Solution

Journal Entry (as on 1st April, 2019)

DateParticularsL.F.Debit (₹)Credit (₹)
2019 Apr 1Meera's Capital A/c Dr.18,000
Myra's Capital A/c Dr.18,000
Neera's Capital A/c Dr.9,000
To Advertisement Suspense A/c45,000
(Being Advertisement Suspense written off in old ratio 2 : 2 : 1)

Working Notes

W.N. 1: Identification of the Applicable Ratio

The partners are changing their profit-sharing ratio from 2 : 2 : 1 (old) to 7 : 5 : 3 (new) with effect from 1st April, 2019. The Advertisement Suspense Account balance of ₹45,000 exists on that date—it represents past expenditure. Therefore, it must be shared in the old ratio of 2 : 2 : 1.

W.N. 2: Calculation of Each Partner's Share

Old ratio = 2 : 2 : 1

Total parts = 2 + 2 + 1 = 5

  • Meera's share = 25×45,000=₹18,000\frac{2}{5} \times 45,000 = ₹18,000
  • Myra's share = 25×45,000=₹18,000\frac{2}{5} \times 45,000 = ₹18,000
  • Neera's share = 15×45,000=₹9,000\frac{1}{5} \times 45,000 = ₹9,000

Total = ₹18,000 + ₹18,000 + ₹9,000 = ₹45,000 ✓


Watch out

A common mistake is to write off the suspense account in the new ratio (7 : 5 : 3). Remember: the new ratio governs only future transactions. Any asset revaluation, goodwill adjustment, or accumulated loss/expense on the date of reconstitution is always settled in the old ratio, because those items arose under the old partnership terms.

Tip

Whenever you see "Advertisement Suspense," "Preliminary Expenses," "Discount on Issue of Debentures," or any deferred expense on the asset side, treat it as a loss to be written off. These are not real assets—they represent money already spent that has no recovery value.


✓Final answer

The Advertisement Suspense Account of ₹45,000 is written off in the old profit-sharing ratio of 2 : 2 : 1. Meera's Capital Account is debited with ₹18,000, Myra's with ₹18,000, and Neera's with ₹9,000. The correct option is (A).

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