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CBSE Class 11 Accountancy Chapter 9 Notes: Financial Statements I

Complete guide for CBSE Class 11 Accountancy Chapter 9 — Financial Statements I: trading account, profit and loss account, balance sheet for manufacturing concerns, and exam-focused revision notes.

Updated 11 June 202616 min read

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CBSE Class 11 Accountancy Chapter 9: Financial Statements I

Chapter Overview

Financial statements are the end products of the accounting process. After all transactions are recorded in the journal, posted to the ledger, and a Trial Balance is prepared, the final step is to prepare the financial statements. These statements tell the business owner, investors, creditors, and other stakeholders how the business performed and where it stands financially.

This chapter covers the preparation of:

1. Trading Account — to find Gross Profit or Gross Loss 2. Profit and Loss Account — to find Net Profit or Net Loss 3. Balance Sheet — to show the financial position on a particular date

For manufacturing concerns, an additional account — the Manufacturing Account — is prepared before the Trading Account.


Meaning and Importance of Financial Statements

Financial statements are formal, structured records of the financial activities and position of a business. They are prepared at the end of the accounting period (usually a year).

Importance

1. Assess profitability: The Trading and P&L Accounts show how much profit or loss the business has earned.

2. Assess financial position: The Balance Sheet shows what the business owns (assets) and owes (liabilities) at a point in time.

3. Decision-making: Owners, managers, investors, and creditors use financial statements to make informed decisions.

4. Legal compliance: Companies are legally required to prepare financial statements under the Companies Act.

5. Tax assessment: Income tax authorities use financial statements to determine tax liability.

6. Credit assessment: Banks and lenders use them to evaluate creditworthiness before granting loans.

7. Comparison: Financial statements enable comparison with previous years and with other businesses.

8. Managerial control: They help management monitor costs, revenues, and overall performance.


Users of Financial Statements

Different stakeholders use financial statements for different purposes:

UserPurpose
OwnersTo assess profitability and return on investment
ManagementFor planning, controlling, and decision-making
Creditors/SuppliersTo assess the ability to repay debts
Banks/LendersTo evaluate creditworthiness before lending
InvestorsTo decide whether to invest or withdraw
Government/Tax AuthoritiesFor tax assessment and regulatory compliance
EmployeesTo assess job security and wage demands
Researchers/AnalystsFor economic and financial analysis

Trading Account

The Trading Account shows the results of trading activities — the gross profit earned or gross loss incurred. It matches the cost of goods sold with the sales revenue during the accounting period.

Purpose

  • To find Gross Profit or Gross Loss
  • To calculate the cost of goods sold (COGS)
  • To assess the efficiency of trading operations
  • To calculate gross profit ratio (Gross Profit / Net Sales x 100)

Format

Trading Account for the year ended [Date]

Dr.RsCr.Rs
Opening StockxxxSalesxxx
PurchasesxxxLess: Returns Inward(xxx)
Less: Returns Outward(xxx)Net Salesxxx
Net PurchasesxxxClosing Stockxxx
Direct Expenses:
Wagesxxx
Carriage Inwardsxxx
Freight Inwardsxxx
Factory Rentxxx
Gas, Fuel, Powerxxx
Factory Lightingxxx
Octroi/Dutyxxx
Gross Profit c/dxxx
(transferred to P&L A/c)
TotalxxxTotalxxx

If Gross Loss: it appears on the credit side and is transferred to the P&L A/c debit side.

Items on the Debit Side

1. Opening Stock: Value of goods unsold at the beginning of the year 2. Net Purchases: Purchases - Returns Outward (Purchase Returns) 3. Direct Expenses: Expenses incurred to bring goods to the place of business and make them saleable

  • Wages (factory)
  • Carriage Inwards / Freight Inwards
  • Factory Rent, Factory Lighting
  • Gas, Fuel, Power (factory)
  • Octroi, Import Duty, Excise Duty
  • Royalty on production

Items on the Credit Side

1. Net Sales: Total Sales - Returns Inward (Sales Returns) 2. Closing Stock: Value of goods unsold at the end of the year (at cost or market price, whichever is lower)

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) Formula

COGS = Opening Stock + Net Purchases + Direct Expenses - Closing Stock
Gross Profit = Net Sales - COGS

Or rearranged:

Gross Profit = Net Sales - Opening Stock - Net Purchases - Direct Expenses + Closing Stock

Manufacturing Account

For manufacturing concerns (factories), a Manufacturing Account is prepared before the Trading Account. It calculates the cost of production of goods manufactured during the year.

Purpose

  • To find the cost of production of goods manufactured
  • To separate manufacturing costs from trading/selling costs
  • To transfer the cost of production to the Trading Account

Format

Manufacturing Account for the year ended [Date]

Dr.RsCr.Rs
Raw Materials:Sale of Scrapxxx
Opening StockxxxCost of Production
Purchasesxxx(transferred to Trading A/c)xxx
Less: Returns(xxx)
Less: Closing Stock(xxx)
Raw Materials Consumedxxx
Direct Wagesxxx
Factory Power/Fuel/Gasxxx
Factory Rentxxx
Factory Lightingxxx
Factory Insurancexxx
Depreciation on Factory Machineryxxx
Royalty on Productionxxx
Work-in-Progress:
Opening WIPxxx
Less: Closing WIP(xxx)
TotalxxxTotalxxx

Cost of Production Formula

Cost of Production = Raw Materials Consumed + Direct Labour + Factory Overheads + Opening WIP - Closing WIP - Sale of Scrap

The Cost of Production is then transferred to the Trading Account debit side (in place of purchases, since the business produces goods rather than buying them).


Profit and Loss Account

The Profit and Loss Account shows the net profit earned or net loss incurred during the accounting period. It starts with the Gross Profit (or Gross Loss) from the Trading Account and considers all indirect expenses and indirect incomes.

Format

Profit and Loss Account for the year ended [Date]

Dr.RsCr.Rs
Gross Loss b/dxxxGross Profit b/dxxx
Indirect Expenses:Indirect Incomes:
SalariesxxxDiscount Receivedxxx
Rent (Office)xxxCommission Receivedxxx
Interest PaidxxxInterest Receivedxxx
Discount AllowedxxxRent Receivedxxx
Commission PaidxxxDividend Receivedxxx
Insurance PremiumxxxProfit on Sale of Assetxxx
Postage & Telegramxxx
Printing & Stationeryxxx
Telephone Chargesxxx
Travelling Expensesxxx
Repairs & Maintenancexxx
Depreciationxxx
Bad Debtsxxx
Provision for Doubtful Debtsxxx
Provision for Discount on Debtorsxxx
Carriage Outwardsxxx
Advertisingxxx
Godown Rentxxx
Distribution Expensesxxx
Loss on Sale of Assetxxx
Net Profit (transferred to Capital A/c)xxx
TotalxxxTotalxxx

Items on the Debit Side (Indirect Expenses)

All expenses that are not directly related to production or purchase of goods:

  • Administrative expenses: Salaries, Rent (office), Insurance, Printing & Stationery, Postage, Telephone
  • Selling & Distribution expenses: Advertising, Carriage Outwards, Commission (sales), Godown Rent
  • Financial expenses: Interest Paid, Discount Allowed, Bank Charges
  • Depreciation: On all fixed assets
  • Provisions: Bad Debts, Provision for Doubtful Debts, Provision for Discount on Debtors
  • Losses: Loss on Sale of Asset

Items on the Credit Side (Indirect Incomes)

All incomes that are not directly from sales of goods:

  • Discount Received
  • Commission Received
  • Interest Received
  • Rent Received
  • Dividend Received
  • Profit on Sale of Asset
  • Apprentice Premium

Balance Sheet

A Balance Sheet is a statement (not an account) that shows the assets and liabilities of a business at a particular date. It follows the fundamental accounting equation:

Assets = Liabilities + Capital

Important Points

1. It is a statement, not an account (no Dr./Cr. sides) 2. It is prepared as on a particular date (not "for the year ended") 3. It shows the financial position at a point in time 4. The two sides must always tally (Assets = Liabilities + Capital) 5. Closing stock is shown on the assets side (not in Trading Account in the Balance Sheet method)

Format: Order of Liquidity

Assets are arranged from most liquid to least liquid. Liabilities are arranged from most urgent to least urgent.

Balance Sheet as on [Date]

LiabilitiesRsAssetsRs
Current Liabilities:Current Assets:
Bank OverdraftxxxCash in Handxxx
Bills PayablexxxCash at Bankxxx
Sundry CreditorsxxxBills Receivablexxx
Outstanding ExpensesxxxSundry Debtorsxxx
Income Received in AdvancexxxLess: Provision for DD(xxx)
Accrued Incomexxx
Long-term Liabilities:Short-term Investmentsxxx
Bank LoanxxxClosing Stockxxx
Mortgage LoanxxxPrepaid Expensesxxx
Fixed Liabilities:Fixed Assets:
CapitalxxxGoodwillxxx
Add: Net ProfitxxxLand and Buildingxxx
Less: Drawings(xxx)Plant and Machineryxxx
Furniture and Fixturesxxx
Patents and Trademarksxxx
Long-term Investmentsxxx
TotalxxxTotalxxx

Format: Order of Permanence

Assets are arranged from least liquid to most liquid (fixed assets first). Liabilities are arranged from least urgent to most urgent (capital first).

Balance Sheet as on [Date]

LiabilitiesRsAssetsRs
CapitalxxxGoodwillxxx
Add: Net ProfitxxxLand and Buildingxxx
Less: Drawings(xxx)Plant and Machineryxxx
Long-term LoansxxxFurniture and Fixturesxxx
Bank LoanxxxPatents and Trademarksxxx
Long-term Investmentsxxx
Current Liabilities:Current Assets:
Sundry CreditorsxxxClosing Stockxxx
Bills PayablexxxSundry Debtorsxxx
Outstanding ExpensesxxxLess: Provision for DD(xxx)
Bills Receivablexxx
Short-term Investmentsxxx
Accrued Incomexxx
Prepaid Expensesxxx
Cash at Bankxxx
Cash in Handxxx
TotalxxxTotalxxx

Classification of Assets

TypeExamplesCharacteristics
Fixed AssetsLand, Building, Machinery, Furniture, Goodwill, PatentsHeld for long-term use, not for sale
Current AssetsCash, Bank, Debtors, Stock, Bills Receivable, Prepaid ExpensesExpected to be converted to cash within a year
Tangible AssetsLand, Building, Machinery, Cash, StockHave physical existence
Intangible AssetsGoodwill, Patents, Trademarks, CopyrightsNo physical existence but have value
Fictitious AssetsPreliminary Expenses, Discount on Issue of SharesNot real assets, represent accumulated losses/debits

Classification of Liabilities

TypeExamplesCharacteristics
Fixed/Long-term LiabilitiesBank Loan, Mortgage, DebenturesPayable after more than one year
Current LiabilitiesCreditors, Bills Payable, Bank Overdraft, Outstanding ExpensesPayable within one year
Contingent LiabilitiesPending court cases, Guarantee givenMay become actual liability in future

Treatment of Adjustments (Brief Introduction)

Adjustments are additional information given outside the Trial Balance that must be incorporated into the final accounts. They affect both the Trading/P&L Account and the Balance Sheet.

Common adjustments (detailed treatment in Chapter 10):

1. Closing Stock: Credited in Trading A/c, shown as asset in Balance Sheet 2. Outstanding Expenses: Added to expense in P&L A/c, shown as liability in Balance Sheet 3. Prepaid Expenses: Deducted from expense in P&L A/c, shown as asset in Balance Sheet 4. Accrued Income: Added to income in P&L A/c, shown as asset in Balance Sheet 5. Income Received in Advance: Deducted from income in P&L A/c, shown as liability in Balance Sheet 6. Depreciation: Debited in P&L A/c, deducted from asset in Balance Sheet 7. Bad Debts: Debited in P&L A/c, deducted from Debtors in Balance Sheet 8. Provision for Doubtful Debts: Debited in P&L A/c, deducted from Debtors in Balance Sheet 9. Interest on Capital: Debited in P&L A/c, added to Capital in Balance Sheet 10. Interest on Drawings: Credited in P&L A/c, deducted from Capital in Balance Sheet


Grouping and Marshalling of Assets and Liabilities

Grouping

Grouping means putting items of similar nature under a common heading. For example:

  • "Sundry Debtors" may include several individual debtor accounts
  • "Current Assets" groups Cash, Bank, Debtors, Stock, etc.
  • "Current Liabilities" groups Creditors, Bills Payable, Outstanding Expenses, etc.

Marshalling

Marshalling means arranging items in a specific order on the Balance Sheet.

Two methods:

1. Order of Liquidity: Most liquid items first

  • Assets: Cash, Bank, Debtors, Stock, Investments, Land
  • Liabilities: Bank Overdraft, Creditors, Bills Payable, Loans, Capital

2. Order of Permanence: Most permanent items first

  • Assets: Land, Building, Machinery, Furniture, Investments, Stock, Debtors, Bank, Cash
  • Liabilities: Capital, Loans, Bills Payable, Creditors, Bank Overdraft

Note: Companies usually follow the Order of Permanence. Sole proprietors and partnerships may follow either method, but the Order of Liquidity is more common for small businesses.


Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Showing Closing Stock in Trading Account only: Closing Stock must appear on the credit side of the Trading Account AND on the assets side of the Balance Sheet. (In the adjusted purchase method, it is shown differently — but in the standard method, it appears in both places.)

2. Confusing direct and indirect expenses: Wages, Carriage Inwards are direct (Trading A/c). Salaries, Rent (office), Advertising are indirect (P&L A/c).

3. Wrong side of Gross Profit: Gross Profit is on the debit side of the Trading Account (balancing figure) and brought down to the credit side of the P&L Account.

4. Treating Balance Sheet as an account: A Balance Sheet has two sides — Liabilities and Assets — but it is a statement, not an account. Do not label sides as Dr. and Cr.

5. Forgetting to show adjustments in two places: Every adjustment affects two places — the P&L side and the Balance Sheet side. Students often show it only once.

6. Not deducting Drawings from Capital: In the Balance Sheet, Drawings must be deducted from Capital and Net Profit must be added.

7. Wrong classification of expenses: Carriage Inwards = Trading A/c; Carriage Outwards = P&L A/c. Factory Rent = Trading A/c; Office Rent = P&L A/c.


Exam Tips

1. Practice full problems: The most common exam question is a comprehensive problem where you prepare the Trading A/c, P&L A/c, and Balance Sheet from a Trial Balance with adjustments.

2. Learn the adjustment treatment: Each adjustment has a double effect. Memorise the standard treatment for each type.

3. Check the Balance Sheet totals: If the two sides don't tally, re-check:

  • Did you add Net Profit to Capital?
  • Did you deduct Drawings from Capital?
  • Did you show all adjustments in both places?

4. Classify expenses correctly:

  • Factory-related = Direct = Trading Account
  • Office/selling-related = Indirect = P&L Account

5. Closing Stock valuation: Closing Stock is valued at cost or market price, whichever is lower. This is the prudence (conservatism) principle.

6. Manufacturing Account: If the question involves a manufacturing concern, prepare the Manufacturing Account first, then transfer the cost of production to the Trading Account.

7. Order of preparation: Manufacturing Account → Trading Account → P&L Account → Balance Sheet.

8. Time management: These problems are long. Allocate time wisely and do not spend too much on any one part.


Quick Revision Notes

  • Financial Statements = Trading A/c + P&L A/c + Balance Sheet
  • Trading Account → Gross Profit/Loss (direct expenses matched with sales)
  • P&L Account → Net Profit/Loss (indirect expenses and incomes)
  • Balance Sheet → Financial position (Assets = Liabilities + Capital)
  • Manufacturing Account → Cost of Production (for manufacturing concerns)
  • COGS = Opening Stock + Net Purchases + Direct Expenses - Closing Stock
  • Gross Profit = Net Sales - COGS
  • Net Profit = Gross Profit + Indirect Incomes - Indirect Expenses
  • Direct expenses: Wages, Carriage In, Factory Rent, Freight In
  • Indirect expenses: Salaries, Office Rent, Advertising, Depreciation, Interest
  • Order of Liquidity: Most liquid first
  • Order of Permanence: Most permanent first
  • Adjustments affect both P&L and Balance Sheet
  • Closing Stock: Trading A/c credit + Balance Sheet asset
  • Balance Sheet is a statement, not an account

Related Chapters

  • [Chapter 7 — Accounts from Incomplete Records](/school/cbse/class/11/accountancy/cbse-accounts-incomplete-records)
  • [Chapter 8 — Bill of Exchange](/school/cbse/class/11/accountancy/cbse-bill-of-exchange)
  • [Financial Statements I — Exercise Solutions](/school/cbse/class/11/accountancy/solutions/cbse-financial-statements-1-exercise-solutions)
  • [All Class 11 Accountancy Solutions](/school/cbse/class/11/accountancy/solutions)
  • [Class 11 Accountancy Subject Guide](/school/cbse/class/11/accountancy)

Frequently Asked Questions

Financial statements are the end products of the accounting process. They include the Trading Account, Profit and Loss Account, and Balance Sheet, which show the financial performance and position of a business.