Calculating Values using Control Accounts (Cambridge (CIE) O Level Accounting)
Revision Note
Written by: Donna Simpson
Reviewed by: Dan Finlay
Calculating Values using Control Accounts
How can I use a ledger account to find a missing value?
If you are missing just one value from an account then you can find it
STEP 1
Draw up the ledger accountSTEP 2
Fill in the known valuesSTEP 3
Find the balancing figure for the accountThis is the missing value
What information can I find using a sales ledger control account?
You can use a sales ledger control account to find the following information:
The trade receivables balance at the start of the financial year
The trade receivables balance at the end of the financial year
Credit sales
Credit sales returns
Receipts from trade receivables during the year
Discount allowed to trade receivables
Irrecoverable debts written off
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Exam questions commonly ask you to find the value of the credit sales.
Credit sales
= payments from credit customers
- opening trade receivables
+ closing trade receivables
+ cash discounts allowed
+ credit sales returns
+ irrecoverable debts written off
+ contra entries
- interested charged to credit customers
What information can I find using a purchases ledger control account?
You can use a purchases ledger control account to find the following information:
The trade payables balance at the start of the financial year
The trade payables balance at the end of the financial year
Credit purchases
Credit purchases returns
Payments to trade payables during the year
Discount received from trade payables
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Exam questions commonly ask you to find the value of the credit purchases.
Credit purchases
= payments to credit suppliers
- opening trade payables
+ closing trade payables
+ cash discounts received
+ credit purchases returns
+ contra entries
- interested charged by credit suppliers
What information can I find using a cash book?
You can use a cash book to find the following information:
Amounts paid by the business
Cash purchases
Expenses
Payments to trade payables
Drawings
Amounts received by the business
Cash sales
Income
Receipts from trade receivables
Capital introduced
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember sales and purchases can be made on a credit or cash basis.
Total sales = Credit sales + Cash sales
Total purchases = Credit purchases + Cash purchases
Worked Example
Mini is a sole trader who does not keep full accounting records. Mini provided the following information.
| 1 January 2023 $ | 31 December 2023 $ |
Shop fittings | 9 000 | 9 000 |
Inventory | 35 600 | 39 800 |
Trade receivables | 19 200 | 18 400 |
Bank | 6 000 | 9 600 |
Trade payables | 20 800 | 16 000 |
Expenses owing | 300 | 420 |
Receipts and payment summary for the year ended 31 December 2023:
| $ |
Receipts from trade receivables | 117 500 |
Payments to trade payables | 72 600 |
Drawings | 33 500 |
General expenses | 30 600 |
Purchase of shop fittings | 3 000 |
Cash sales | 38 000 |
Cash purchases | 12 200 |
No cash discount was allowed or received during the year.
Prepare the trading section of the income statement for Mini for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Answer
Find the credit sales by using a sales ledger control account. The credit sales will be the balancing figure.
Date | Details | $ | Date | Details | $ |
2023 Jan 1 |
Balance b/d |
19 200 | 2023 Dec 31 |
Bank (receipts) |
117 500 |
Dec 31 | Sales | 116 700 | Dec 31 | Balance c/d | 18 400 |
135 900 | 135 900 | ||||
2024 Jan 1 |
Balance b/d |
18 400 |
Find the total sales by adding the credit sales to the cash sales.
Total sales = $116 700 + $38 000 = $154 700
Find the credit purchases by using a purchases ledger control account. The credit purchases will be the balancing figure.
Date | Details | $ | Date | Details | $ |
2023 Dec 31 |
Bank (payments) |
72 600 | 2023 Jan 1 | Balance b/d |
20 800 |
Dec 31 | Balance c/d | 16 000 | Dec 31 | Purchases | 67 800 |
88 600 | 88 600 | ||||
2024 Jan 1 |
Balance b/d |
16 000 |
Find the total purchases by adding the credit purchases to the cash purchases.
Total purchases = $67 800 + $12 200 = $80 000
Prepare the trading section of the income statement using the usual format.
Mini Income Statement for the year ended 31 December 2023 | ||
$ | $ | |
Revenue | 154 700 | |
Less: Cost of sales | ||
Opening inventory | 35 600 | |
Purchases | 80 000 | |
115 600 | ||
Less: Closing inventory | 39 800 | 75 800 |
Gross profit | 78 900 | |
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