Question

Difficulty: HardProfit and Loss Appropriation Account and Dividend Calculation

The following financial information was extracted from the books of Zaria Foods Plc for the year ended 31st December 2025:

Financial ItemAmount (₦)
Authorized Share Capital (1,000,000 Ordinary shares of ₦1.00 each)1,000,000
Issued and Paid-up Ordinary Share Capital (600,000 shares of ₦1.00 each)600,000
10% Preference Share Capital (200,000 shares of ₦1.00 each)200,000
Retained Profit brought forward (1st January 2025)45,000
Net Profit for the year ended 31st December 2025250,000

The directors resolved to transfer ₦30,000 to the General Reserve, pay the preference dividend in full, and declare a 12% dividend on ordinary shares.

What is the retained profit carried forward to the next financial year?

  1. ₦173,000Answer
  2. B
    ₦125,000
  3. C
    ₦128,000
  4. D
    ₦193,000

Answer

The retained profit carried forward to the next financial year is ₦173,000.
The total profit available for appropriation is ₦295,000 (current net profit of ₦250,000 plus retained profit brought forward of ₦45,000). Total appropriations comprise the preference dividend of ₦20,000 (10% of ₦200,000), ordinary share dividend of ₦72,000 (12% of ₦600,000 paid-up capital), and general reserve transfer of ₦30,000, totaling ₦122,000. Subtracting ₦122,000 from ₦295,000 leaves a retained profit carried forward of ₦173,000.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate the total profit available for appropriation
Total Available Profit = ₦250,000 (Net Profit) + ₦45,000 (Retained Profit b/f) = ₦295,000
Retained earnings from previous periods are combined with current year net profits to determine total distributable profit.
2
Calculate the 10% Preference Share Dividend
Preference Dividend = 10% × ₦200,000 = ₦20,000
Preference shareholders are entitled to a fixed dividend rate based on paid-up preference share capital.
3
Calculate the Ordinary Share Dividend on paid-up ordinary capital
Ordinary Dividend = 12% × ₦600,000 = ₦72,000
Dividends are declared and paid exclusively on issued and paid-up capital, never on authorized capital.
4
Sum total appropriations and compute retained profit carried forward
Total Appropriations = ₦20,000 + ₦72,000 + ₦30,000 = ₦122,000
Retained Profit c/f = ₦295,000 - ₦122,000 = ₦173,000
Deducting total appropriations (reserve transfers plus dividends) from available profit gives the balance remaining in retained earnings.

Key Concept

Profit and Loss Appropriation Account and Dividend Distribution
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