Profit or Loss Prior to Incorporation

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Written by True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

Reviewed by Subject Matter Experts

Updated on March 09, 2023

Question 1

A company was incorporated on 30 April in order to acquire the business of a private firm as of 1 January.

The company closes its books on 31 December. The gross profit for the whole period was calculated at $120,000.

The sales for the month of August were 3 times the average, 2 times the average for January and July, 1.5 times for October and December, and it 0.5 times for November.

Estimate the gross profit earned prior to incorporation.

Solution

Let the average monthly sales be equal to 1. Therefore, sales for the 6 months are shown as follows:

August 3
January 2
July 2
October 1.5
December 1.5
November 0.5
Total sales for 6 months 10.5

Total sales for the remaining 6 months: February, March, April, May, June, and September = 12 - 10.5 = 1.5.

Therefore, average sales for the 6 months = 1.5 / 6 = 0.25, i.e., 1/4 of the average. As such, sales for January to April = 2 + 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 = 2, 3/4.

In turn, sales ratio = 2 3/4 : 9 1/4 or 11/4 : 37/4 or 11 : 37. With this in mind:

  • Gross profit prior to incorporation = 120,000 x 11/48 = $27,500
  • Gross profit after incorporation = 120,000 x 37/48 = $92,500

Question 2

A company was incorporated on 1 April to acquire the running business of a partnership firm from 1 January.

The account year ends on 31 December.

Using the information shown below, calculate the sales ratio for the pre-incorporation and post-incorporation period.

  • Sales for the whole year (January to December) = $720,000
  • Sales for January, June, and July are 2 times the average
  • Sales for August are 1.5 times the average
  • Sales for March and September are 0.5 times the average

Solution

Solution 2A
Solution 2B

Post-incorporation period sales = $720,000 - 185,000 = $535,000

Therefore, the sales ratio of pre-incorporation and post-incorporation period is equal to 185,000 : 535,000 or 37 : 107.

Question 3

Flat Limited was incorporated on 1 July 2019 to take over the running business of Mr. Round, which would come into effect on 1 April 2019. The following profit and loss account was drawn up for the year ended 31 March 2020.

Profit and Loss Account for Flat Limited

The following details are available:

  1. The average monthly turnover from July 2019 onward was double that of the previous months.
  2. Rent for the first 3 months was paid at $200 per month and thereafter at a rate increased by $50 per month.
  3. Bad debts ($350) related to sales came into effect after 1 September 2019 and the realization of bad debts was in respect of debts written off during 2017.
  4. Advertisement expenses were directly proportionate to sales.

Find the gross profit prior to incorporation and describe its treatment in the company's books.

Solution

Solution Profit and Loss Account for Flat Limited

Working

Working For Solution 3

Profit or Loss Prior to Incorporation FAQs

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About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.