Accounting theory and practice, Volume 2 (of 3) : a textbook for colleges and…
4. A bond sold at par to be redeemed at a premium on maturity.
646 words | Chapter 118
At the close of a fiscal period which does not coincide with the bond
interest period, not only must the bond interest accrued to date be
shown as an accrued expense, but also there must be so shown the
portion of the premium (or discount) accrued to that date required to
bring the bond interest cost down to the effective basis.
Presentation on Balance Sheet
The final problem in connection with bonds concerns the manner of
their showing on the balance sheet. That has perhaps been sufficiently
indicated. The amount of the authorized issue should be short-extended,
and the amount unissued subtracted therefrom with the net amount
outstanding full-extended as the significant figure in the balance
sheet.
Other Fixed Liabilities
_Real Estate Mortgages._ Another item among the fixed liabilities is
the simple real estate mortgage. This is usually called a bond and
mortgage, the bond being simply the promise to pay and the mortgage
being the security for the amount of money borrowed. In some states the
more formal document called the bond is used as a contract according
to which a named sum is to be paid in case the amount borrowed on the
mortgage is not paid. This named sum is usually the amount borrowed,
although in some states it is twice this amount. In booking a note
or bond supported by a mortgage, the customary title is “Mortgage
Payable” rather than “Notes Payable” which is generally understood to
be applicable in the main to current liabilities. In case the double
amount is named in the bond, it is not customary to take cognizance of
the contingent liability thereunder.
_Loans on Collateral._ Short-time loans are frequently made on
collateral security. Stocks and bonds, particularly of the borrowing
company or its subsidiaries, may also be made the basis of a long-time
loan. This may take the form of a bond issue, promissory notes, or
other similar obligations. Accounting for the loan and its showing on
the balance sheet follow the principles already laid down. The title of
the loan account should carry the word “Collateral” or other similar
term to show its nature. Accounting for the collateral is usually
accomplished by a memorandum in the stocks, bonds, or investments
account to show exactly what securities have been withdrawn for deposit
as collateral. No further record is needed other than a complete list
of such securities; the securities are still owned by the company,
though deposited under a conditional contract with someone else. If
the loan is dishonored at maturity and the securities are sold in
satisfaction thereof, the necessary entries must be made to show the
sale of the securities, the profit or loss attendant thereupon, and the
repayment of the loan. In showing the pledged securities on the balance
sheet, it is well to present the securities in two groups or classes,
viz., those pledged as collateral for the loan shown contra and those
not so pledged.
_Short-Term Securities._ When the market is not favorable to the
issue of long-term securities, because of the high rate of return
demanded by investors, corporations often have recourse in their
borrowings to short-term securities—usually note issues with maturities
ranging from one to five years, two- and three-year terms being the
commonest. The financial consideration in their issue is merely a
speculation that by the time of their maturity the market will be more
favorable for the flotation of long-term securities. Thus the company
hopes at the maturity of the notes to free itself from the need of
paying so high an interest rate as it is required to pay now for the
short-term securities. These notes may be in different denominations
and are accounted for just as other notes. On the balance sheet they
are grouped with the fixed liabilities until within a short time of
maturity, when they must be shown with the other current items.
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