Section A: Theory of Financial Accounting
Question 3
Candidates were asked to explain some of the terms used in the accounts for not-for-profit making organizations and the second part (3b) is to distinguish between shares and debentures.
Observation
Few of the candidates who attempted this question performed poorly. The expected answers included:
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3(a)      (i) Accumulated Fund: this is the capital of a not -for - profit making 
    organization. It is calculated as the  difference between the total assets and total liabilities of a not-for-profit  making organisation at any point in time. 
(ii) Subscription in Arrears: this is the amount of subscription that is outstanding or had not been paid by a member as at the time of preparing the accounts of the club. It is classified as a current asset in the balance sheet.
(iii) Receipts and Payments Account: It is  the equivalent of the cash book of a profit making organisation. The debit side  shows details of opening cash/bank balances and all cash receipts while the  credit side indicates all cash/bank payments and their closing balances.
    (iv) Income and Expenditure Account: this is  the equivalent of the Profit and Loss Account of a profit making organisation.  It records only revenue expenditure and revenue receipts and it discloses a  balance as surplus or deficit.
    (v) Entrance Fees: These are amounts  payable when a person first joins a club. These are normally included as income  in the year that they are received. However, the club may capitalize it and  spread it over a number of years.
    3 (b)      Distinction  between Shares and Debentures 
    Shares are fractions or proportions of  members' interest or investments in a company; 
    While debentures are written acknowledgement of a long term loan given to a  company. 
    - Shares attract  dividends; while debentures attract fixed interest. 
    Holders of shares are part owners of the  company; while holders of debentures are creditors to the company. 
    The interest payable on debentures is  compulsory; while-the dividend payable on shares depends on availability of  profits.