Is depreciation expense a fixed cost or a variable cost?
Let’s revisit the terms Fixed cost and Variable cost and then we will discuss where depreciation cost/expense really fits. Fixed costs are such costs that do not change with the change in activity level (e.g. units produced) with in the relevant range. Where relevant range can be defined in terms of time or activity level. […]
Why residual value (salvage value) is not allocated to the useful life of a depreciable asset?
Scrap value or salvage value or residual value is the value which we expect to receive by selling an asset at the end of its useful life. So basically it is the monetary value of the economic benefits that will be recovered from the asset by selling the asset and not through use of the […]
What is Inventory?
Inventory is simply such asset that business has bought and holds with an intention to be sold in the normal course of the business i.e. it is the business of the entity to buy and sell such assets. The words stock, goods and inventory are used interchangeably and mean one and the same thing. Some […]
What is Folio coloumn and its use?
Folio, as in its literal meanings also, means a sequence of number of words for the purposes of dividing a book into meaningful parts or just for reference. Same goes for its use in accounting as well. Folio coloumn is used in Journals as well as in Ledgers. It usually contains the reference in forms […]
What is the difference between revenue, income, profit, gain and return?
Every student who starts accounting and get an idea of these terms, the instinct of differentiating kicks in and he/she starts looking for the differences among these terms. Though there are sometimes minor and sometimes major differences among these terms but these days, with an exception of few, these terms are used interchangeably. For example, […]
What is the purpose of Statement of changes in equity?
Many students find it confusing that if we already have two financial statements, one covering the financial position of the business and the other telling about the financial performance then why do we need yet another statement with the name of Statement of Changes in Equity? And more interestingly, many think that its just a […]
What is the difference between ‘separate entity’ and ‘separate legal entity’?
Separate entity is basically an accounting concept where as separate legal entity is a legal concept which overrules the accounting concept of separate entity. According to separate entity concept (also termed as business entity concept) the business and the owner(s) of the business are two distinct and separate entities which implies that assets and liabilities […]
What is business entity concept?
Business entity concept or Separate entity concept or Separate economic entity concept are different names for the same concept. According to business entity concept, the business is distinct and separate from its owners i.e. business and its owners should not be treated as one and the same thing. Accepting this concept means that the activities […]
Is there any case in which Liability increases and decreases as well?
In one single transaction there are absolutely NO chances that liability increases and also decreases at the same time. And even for the sake of argument we consider that yes it will increase and decrease then the increase and decrease will be equal thus making no difference at all. However, if the question was asked […]
Why closing inventory appears on the credit side of Trading account?
Closing stock or as it is also named as closing inventory is definitely an asset. But trading account is not the same as Inventory account. Inventory, being an asset, should have a debit balance in Inventory account. Trading account is a distinct account and both must not be mixed up together. The answer to the […]

