Azhar, Sumit and Robit were partners in a firm sharing profits and losses in the ratio of 3 : 1 : 1. Their Balance Sheet as at 31st March, 2023, was as follows :
Balance Sheet of Azhar, Sumit and Robit as at 31st March, 2023
| Liabilities | Amount (₹) | Assets | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creditors | 90,000 | Bank | 20,000 |
| General Reserve | 60,000 | Stock | 40,000 |
| Capitals : Azhar 60,000; Sumit 40,000; Robit 20,000 | 1,20,000 | Debtors | 1,50,000 |
| Fixed Assets | 60,000 | ||
| Total | 2,70,000 | Total | 2,70,000 |
Robit died on 30th June, 2023. According to the Partnership deed, Robit's legal representatives were entitled to : (i) Balance in his Capital Account. (ii) His share of General Reserve. (iii) Interest on capital @ 10% p.a. (iv) His share of goodwill. Goodwill of the firm was valued on the basis of thrice the average of the past four years' profits. (v) His share in profits up to the date of death on the basis of the profit for the last year. Profit for the previous years were :
| Year | ₹ |
|---|---|
| 2019 – 20 | (3,000) |
| 2020 – 21 | 28,000 |
| 2021 – 22 | 16,000 |
| 2022 – 23 | 15,000 |
Prepare Robit's Capital Account to be rendered to his legal representatives.
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Robit's Capital Account will show a credit balance of ₹41,650, which is transferred to his Executor's Account.
When a partner dies, their Capital Account needs to be settled to determine the amount due to their legal representatives (executors). This involves calculating their share of various items as per the partnership deed, such as their capital balance, share of accumulated reserves, interest on capital, share of goodwill, and share of profit up to the date of death.
The fundamental accounting principle here is that a partner's Capital Account is a liability for the firm. Therefore, any item that increases the amount due to the partner (like capital, share of reserves, interest on capital, share of profit, or share of goodwill) is credited to their Capital Account. Conversely, any item that reduces the amount due to them (like drawings, interest on drawings, or share of loss) would be debited.
Let's break down each entitlement for Robit:
- Balance in his Capital Account: This is the opening credit balance of his capital as shown in the Balance Sheet.
- His share of General Reserve: General Reserve represents accumulated past profits that have not yet been distributed. Upon the death of a partner, their share of such reserves is distributed to them in their profit-sharing ratio, increasing their capital.
- Interest on Capital: This is an appropriation of profit, calculated from the beginning of the accounting year up to the date of death. It increases the partner's capital.
- His share of goodwill: When a partner dies, the continuing partners benefit from the firm's established goodwill. Therefore, the deceased partner is compensated for their share of goodwill by the continuing partners. The deceased partner's Capital Account is credited, and the continuing partners' Capital Accounts are debited in their gaining ratio.
- His share in profits up to the date of death: Profit earned by the firm from the beginning of the accounting year until the date of the partner's death is estimated and the deceased partner's share is credited to their Capital Account. This is typically routed through a 'Profit & Loss Suspense Account' as the final profit for the year is not yet ascertained.
Let's calculate each component:
Working Notes
1. Robit's Share of General Reserve
The General Reserve as at 31st March, 2023, was ₹60,000.
The profit-sharing ratio of Azhar, Sumit, and Robit was 3:1:1.
Robit's share =
Robit's share of General Reserve = ₹60,000 = ₹12,000
2. Interest on Robit's Capital
Robit's Capital as at 31st March, 2023, was ₹20,000.
Interest on capital is allowed at 10% p.a.
Robit died on 30th June, 2023. The period for which interest is to be calculated is from 1st April, 2023, to 30th June, 2023, which is 3 months.
Interest on Capital = ₹20,000 = ₹500
3. Valuation of Firm's Goodwill
Goodwill is valued on the basis of thrice the average of the past four years' profits.
Profits for the previous years:
2019 – 20: (₹3,000)
2020 – 21: ₹28,000
2021 – 22: ₹16,000
2022 – 23: ₹15,000
Total Profit for 4 years = -₹3,000 + ₹28,000 + ₹16,000 + ₹15,000 = ₹56,000
Average Profit = ₹56,000 / 4 = ₹14,000
Firm's Goodwill = Average Profit 3 = ₹14,000 3 = ₹42,000
4. Robit's Share of Goodwill and its Adjustment
Firm's Goodwill = ₹42,000
Robit's share =
Robit's share of Goodwill = ₹42,000 = ₹8,400
The continuing partners (Azhar and Sumit) will compensate Robit for his share of goodwill in their gaining ratio.
Old Ratio (Azhar : Sumit : Robit) = 3 : 1 : 1
Robit dies. The new profit-sharing ratio between Azhar and Sumit will be 3:1 (assuming their relative ratio remains unchanged).
Gaining Ratio = New Share - Old Share
Azhar's Gain = - = =
Sumit's Gain = - = =
Gaining Ratio (Azhar : Sumit) = 3 : 1
Amount to be debited to Azhar's Capital Account = ₹8,400 = ₹6,300
Amount to be debited to Sumit's Capital Account = ₹8,400 = ₹2,100 …
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