Learning Materials For Accounting, Management , Finance And Economics.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Concept And Meaning Of Rectification Of Accounting Errors And Its Methods

Rectification Of Accounting Errors

Once an error is located, it should be properly corrected. The correction of accounting errors in a systematic manner is called the rectification of errors. In other words, the process of systematically correcting the accounting errors is known as rectification of errors. The presence of accounting errors affects accuracy of the profit and loss and the financial position of the business shown by the final accounts, therefore, no error should be left uncorrected.

Methods Of Rectification Of Accounting Errors

The following method should be followed to rectify the accounting errors

1. Rectification of errors located before preparation of trial balance
2. Rectification of errors after preparation of trial balance

1. Rectification Of Errors Located Before Preparation Of Trial Balance

Errors may be detected in the process of closing books and accounts for preparation of trial balance. The errors detected in the process may be either one-sided errors or two-sided errors. However, once such errors are located they must be rectified immediately.

* Rectification Of One-sided Errors Located Before Preparation Of Trial Balance
One-sided errors are those errors which affect only one side of an account. Wrong totaling of subsidiary books, posting a wrong amount, posting on the wrong side are some of the examples of one-sided errors. Since two accounts are not involved in these errors, journal entry can not be passed for rectifying such errors. The one-sided error is rectified by making an additional posting on the affected side of the ledger account.
* Rectification Of Two-sided Errors Located Before Preparation Of Trial Balance
The errors that affect two or more accounts are called two-sided errors. Correction of such two-sided errors needs to make rectification journal entries since such errors involve two or more accounts. Therefore, one account is debited and another account is credited to rectify two-sided errors. The rules of debit and credit are applied to rectify these errors.
The following three steps are taken to rectify the two-sided errors.
a. Identify correct entry
b. Rewrite wrong entry
c. Find rectifying entry by making adjustment of correct entry and wrong entry

2. Rectification Of Errors After Preparation Of Trial Balance

Sometimes, errors may be detected after an accounting year is over. Those are the errors detected after preparation of trial balance. The errors detected after the completion of accounting year may be one-sided and two-sided errors. Rectification of the errors seen after preparation of trial balance can be made by preparing rectifying journal entries in the subsequent year only.
Double entry system is followed to rectify the errors detected after preparation of trial balance. Two accounts are affected by the two-sided errors. Therefore, one account is debited and another affecting account is credited for such errors. But one-sided errors are rectified by opening 'Suspense Account'.