Page 2 - Chapter-11.pmd

438 Accountancy

11.1.1 Features of Incomplete Records

In complete records may be due to partial recording of transactions as is the
case with small shopkeepers such as grocers and vendors. In case of large
sized organisations, the accounting records may be rendered to the state of
incompleteness due to natural calamity, theft or fire. The features of incomplete
records are as under :
(a) It is an unsystematic method of recording transactions.
(b) Generally, records for cash transactions and personal accounts are
properly maintained and there is no information regarding revenue and/
or gains, expenses and/or losses, assets and liabilities.
(c) Personal transactions of owners may also be recorded in the cash book.
(d) Different organisations maintain records according to their convenience
and needs, and their accounts are not comparable due to lack of
uniformity.
(e) To ascertain profit or loss or for obtaining any other information,
necessary figures can be collected only from the original vouchers such
as sales invoice or purchase invoice, etc. Thus, dependence on original
vouchers is inevitable.
(f) The profit or loss for the year cannot be ascertained under this system
with high degree of accuracy as only an estimate of the profit earned or
loss incurred can be made. The balance sheet also may not reflect the
complete and true position of assets and liabilities.

11.2 Reasons of Incompleteness and its Limitations

It is observed, that many businessmen keep incomplete records because of
the following reasons :
(a) This system can be adopted by people who do not have the proper
knowledge of accounting principles;
(b) It is an inexpensive mode of maintaining records. Cost involved is low
as specialised accountants are not appointed by the organisations;
(c) Time consumed in maintaining records is less as only a few books are
maintained;
(d) It is a convenient mode of maintaining records as the owner may record
only important transactions according to the need of the business.
However, the mechanism of incomplete records suffers from a number of
limitations. This is due to the basic nature of this mechanism. Broadly
speaking, unless a systematic approach to maintenance of records is followed,
reliable financial statements cannot be prepared.

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