Question

Difficulty: MediumReceipts and Payments Account

Match each financial item of a non-profit organization with its correct accounting treatment in the Receipts and Payments Account.

  • Life membership fees received in cash for future accounting periodsRecorded on the receipts side because all cash inflows are included regardless of capital nature or period
  • Depreciation charged on clubhouse equipment for the yearExcluded completely because it is a non-cash operational expense
  • Subscriptions due from members but remaining unpaid at year-endExcluded completely because no cash inflow occurred during the accounting period
  • Payment made by cheque for purchasing new clubhouse furnitureRecorded on the payments side as a capital cash expenditure

Answer

Life membership fees received in cash are recorded on the receipts side regardless of period; depreciation on equipment is excluded as a non-cash expense; unpaid subscriptions due are excluded because no cash was received; payment for new furniture is recorded on the payments side as a capital cash expenditure.
The Receipts and Payments Account is a summarized Cash Book. It includes all actual cash inflows and outflows (capital or revenue, for past, present, or future periods) while strictly excluding non-cash transactions (like depreciation) and accruals (like outstanding subscriptions).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the fundamental principle governing the Receipts and Payments Account
The Receipts and Payments Account is a summarized Cash Book operating strictly on a cash basis, recording all cash inflows (debit) and cash outflows (credit) regardless of accounting period or capital/revenue classification.
Understanding the cash-basis nature determines which items belong in the account.
2
Analyze life membership fees received in cash and furniture payment made by cheque
Life membership fees involve actual cash receipt (record on Receipts side); payment for furniture involves actual cash payment via bank (record on Payments side). Both are included despite being capital transactions.
The Receipts and Payments Account does not distinguish between capital and revenue transactions as long as actual cash/bank flows occur.
3
Analyze depreciation and unpaid subscriptions due
Depreciation is a non-cash charge, and unpaid subscriptions are accrued income with no cash movement. Both items are excluded from the Receipts and Payments Account.
Non-cash items and accruals/prepayments are excluded because the account is not prepared on an accrual basis.

Key Concept

Scope and Exclusions of Receipts and Payments Account
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