Question

Difficulty: MediumPurchases Ledger Control Account

Below is a list of accounting transactions on the left and their respective posting rules in the Purchases Ledger Control Account on the right. Match each transaction item with its correct entry placement and double-entry accounting effect.

  • Interest charged by creditors on overdue supplier accountsCredited to Purchases Ledger Control Account to increase trade payables
  • Returns outwards of damaged goods to suppliersDebited to Purchases Ledger Control Account to reduce trade payables
  • Contra set-off agreement between Purchases Ledger and Sales LedgerDebited to Purchases Ledger Control Account to offset accounts receivable balance
  • Cheque previously paid to a trade creditor returned dishonouredCredited to Purchases Ledger Control Account to reinstate creditor liability

Answer

Interest charged on overdue accounts matches with being credited to increase trade payables; Returns outwards match with being debited to reduce trade payables; Contra set-off matches with being debited to offset accounts receivable balance; Dishonoured cheque matches with being credited to reinstate creditor liability.
Each accounting item is paired according to its double-entry effect on total creditors. Items increasing liabilities (interest charged, dishonoured cheques) are placed on the credit side, while items decreasing liabilities (returns outwards, contra set-offs) are placed on the debit side.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the nature of the Purchases Ledger Control Account.
The control account summarizes the liability owed to trade payables (creditors), where credit entries increase liability and debit entries decrease liability.
Control accounts operate on double-entry principles maintaining total creditor obligations.
2
Classify transactions that increase creditor balances.
Interest charged on overdue accounts and dishonoured cheques increase supplier liabilities, requiring credit entries.
Interest adds penalty charges to payable balances, and dishonoured cheques cancel previous payment reductions.
3
Classify transactions that decrease creditor balances.
Returns outwards and contra set-offs decrease supplier liabilities, requiring debit entries.
Returning goods lowers invoice liabilities, while contra set-offs cancel matching receivable/payable claims.

Key Concept

Purchases Ledger Control Account Posting Rules
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