Explanation
The concept of conservatism (also called ‘prudence’) provides guidance for recording transactions in the book of accounts and is based on the policy of playing safe.
The concept states that a conscious approach should be adopted in ascertaining income so that profits of the enterprise are not overstated.
The concept of conservatism requires that profits should not to be recorded until realised but all losses, even those which may have a remote possibility, are to be provided in the books of accounts.
The convention of conservatism mean that the convention of caution, or the policy of playing safe. This principle requires that in the situation of uncertainty and doubt, the business transactions should be recorded in such a manner that the profits and assets are not overstated and losses and liabilities are not understated. The following are some examples:
1. Closing stock is valued at cost price or Net realisable value, whichever is lower.
2. Joint life insurance policy is shown only at surrender value as against the amount paid.
3. Provision for doubtful debt is created in anticipation of bad debts etc.
4. Provision for pending law suit against the firm, which may either be decided in its favour.
Hence, the conservatism principle is applicable in accounting.
The process of ascertaining the amount of profit earned or the loss incurred during a particular period involves deduction of related expenses from the revenue earned during that period.
The matching concept emphasises exactly on this aspect. It states that expenses incurred in an accounting period should be matched with revenues during that period.
It follows from this that the revenue and expenses incurred to earn these revenues must belong to the same accounting period.
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