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Accounting Treatment of Partner’s Capital Account in case of Death of a Partner (Fluctuating Capital)

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Capital is the amount contributed by the partners in the firm. Partner’s capital shows equity in a partnership that is owned by specific partners. It records the initial and subsequent contribution made by each partner and also the withdrawal made by the partner. Partner’s Capital Account shows the ownership interest in the firm by each partner of the firm. Partner’s Capital Account can either be fixed or fluctuating. It records all the transactions related to the partnership firm and the partners. All the initials transaction and share profit or loss made by the firm and also, the gains or revenue and loss incurred by the firm are recorded in the share of each partner in their capital account.

Methods of Maintaining Capital Account

Fixed Capital Method:

Fixed Capital means that the capitals of the partners are affixed and they are stationary. The capital of the partners does not change with every transaction and remains the same. It changes only when there is additional capital introduced or drawings are made(withdrawal of capital) by the partner. Two separate accounts are maintained- Partner’s Capital Account and Partner’s Current Account. Partner’s Capital Account is credited with capital contributed and additional capital introduced and debited with withdrawal made by the partner. Partner’s Current Account is debited or credited by the transaction with the firm other than the one directly relating to Capital Account. 

Fluctuating Capital Method:

Fluctuating Capital means that the capitals of the partners fluctuate and are irregular. The capitals of the partners change with every transaction and do not remain the same. Only one capital account is maintained under fluctuating capital method. All the transactions of the partners are recorded under one head separately in the name of each partner i.e. Partner’s Capital Account.  The account is debited or credited by the transactions with the firm relating to the partner.

Meaning of Fluctuating Capital

Under the Fluctuating method of maintaining partners’ capital accounts, the capital balance of each of the partners fluctuates continuously and is not fixed. The reason behind such continuous fluctuation is that no separate account (Current Account) is prepared to record the income and expenses and profits/ losses of the partners. Every item of concern, such as Interest on Capital, Interest on Drawings, Salary, Commission, Share of profit, Additional Capital, Premium for Goodwill brought in by a new partner, Revaluation profit, Accumulated profit and reserves, Gains made by a partner, etc., is recorded in the capital account itself. In case of no instruction is provided, the Fluctuating method should be used to prepare the Partner’s Capital Account.

Steps of Fluctuating Capital Method

Under this method, to prepare the Capital Account the following steps are to be taken:

Step 1: A  Capital Account is prepared, and the initial capital invested by the deceased partner is credited, and any additional investments made by the partner is also credited. Any drawings from the capital are recorded on the debit side of the capital account.

Step 2: All the Income and Profits of the deceased partner, such as Interest on capital, the salary of the partner, the profit share of the partner, commission, etc., are recorded on the credit side of the Capital Account.

Step 3: All the expenses or liabilities related to the deceased partner, such as Interest on drawings are debited to the Capital Account. 

Step 4: The profit and loss are distributed to the deceased partners in his/her profit-sharing ratio. The profit is credited, and the loss is debited, respectively.

Step 5: At last, the closing capital of the partner is calculated by subtracting the debit side of the Capital Account from the credit side. The closing balance of the deceased partner is then paid by transferring it to his Executor A/c.

Format (When the Capital is Fluctuating)

 

Illustration: 

Tuli, Seems and Reta are partners in the firm, sharing profit and loss in the ratio of 2:2:1. The Balance Sheet of the firm on 31st March 2022 was as follows:

 

Seema died on 31st June, 2022. The following decisions were taken by the remaining partner:

1. Land and Building will be appreciated by 10%, and Furniture will be depreciated by 5%.

2. From Provision on Debtors ₹1,500 were good.

3. There is a liability of ₹1,300 included in Sundry Creditors that will not arise.

4. Goodwill of the firm to be valued on 3 years purchase of last 2 years average profit. Profit for 2020-21 was ₹7,500 and for 2021-22 was ₹5,000.

5. An outstanding Salary of ₹1,200 and accrued income of ₹2,000 are to be brought into books of accounts.

6. Profit from 1st April 2021 till the date of death of the partner was ₹4,500.

7. Remaining Partner’s decided to share the future profit-sharing ratio to be 3:2.

8. The Fixed Capital Method is to be converted into Fluctuating Capital Method by transferring the balance of the Partner’s Current A/c to the respective Partner’s Capital A/c.  

Prepare Revaluation Account, Partner’s Capital Account, and Balance Sheet of the Firm after the above adjustment after the death of the partner.   

Solution:

 

 

 

Workings:

1. Calculation of Gaining Ratio:

 

2. Calculation of Seema’s share in Goodwill:

Average Profit of last two years = \frac{₹7,500+₹5,000}{2}

= ₹6,250

Goodwill = Average profit X 3 years purchase

= ₹6,250 x 3

= ₹18,750

Retiring Partner Share of Goodwill = Value of Goodwill on the date of retirement x Retiring partner’s share in the firm

Seema’s Share of Goodwill = ₹18,750\times\frac{2}{5}

= ₹7,500

3. Calculation of the deceased partner’s share in profit till the date of death:

Profit on the date of death of partner =₹4,500

Share in profit = ₹4,500\times\frac{2}{5}

Seema’s share in profit =₹1,800



Last Updated : 05 Apr, 2023
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