LECTURE 9: Bankruptcy of Sole Trader

Objectives

At the end of this lecture you will be able to:
§  Describe the terms statement of affairs and deficiency account
§  Identify the contents of statement of affairs
§  Prepare a statement of affairs and deficiency account for a sole proprietorship

Contents

§  Meaning of statement of affairs and deficiency account
§  The content of statement of affairs
§  Preparation of statement of affairs and deficiency account for a sole proprietorship

Introduction

The sole trader is defined as a one man’s business whereby the owner enjoys his profits and suffers losses alone. In law a sole trader suffers what is called unlimited liability, which means that during failure to pay his obligation, his personal properties are not distinguished from being sold to recover the debts. In bankruptcy of a sole trader, provisions in this Act will be applicable.

The statement of Affairs:
Upon bankruptcy, the statement of affairs shall be prepared on a prescribed form, sets out debtors (the bankrupt person) position on the day of the receiving order. The statement will show:
i.                    His assets, both business and personal at values which estimates that these assets will realise without including, however any additional assets that the trustee may be able to recover either under reputed ownership or by impeaching or avoiding voidable disposition
ii.                  The liabilities outstanding on the day of the receiving order, which are to be paid out of the amounts so realised
iii.                The estimated deficiency being the extent by which the liabilities exceed the amount expected to be realised from the assets

The statement of Affairs is to be supported by eleven prescribed schedules, which are identified as lists A to K containing the following information:
List A: Unsecured Creditors
List B: Creditors fully secured
List C: Creditors partially secured
List D: Contingent and other liabilities
List E: Preferential Creditors
List F; Liabilities of debtor on bills than his own acceptance
List G: Creditors for rent
List H: Property: This list is to contain full particulars of every description of property in possession or reversion. The official form has columns for the following property in particular:
Cash at bank, Cash in hand, cash deposited with advocate for cost of petition, stock in trade I n the country, stock in trade=de and goods in transit, machinery, trade fixtures, utensils etc, farming stock, growing crops where no owner of the land, household furniture and effects

Deficiency Account
The deficiency account is the 11th schedule supporting the statement of affairs. The deficiency account is expected to explain how exactly the deficiency revealed in the statement of affairs has arisen: The following are the steps in the preparation of Deficiency account:
  1. Prepare the net assets position of the bankrupt person on the date twelve months before the date of receiving order
  2. Next, show how this position improved since then, any business net profits and income from other sources
  3. Demarcate there after the reasons for the deterioration of the position, culminating in the specific deficiency on the day of the receiving order. Reasons for the deteriorating in the bankruptcy person’s position may be classified under;
a)      Business losses
b)      Drawings for household realisation of the property
c)      Anticipated net losses in realisation of the property
d)     Any contingent liabilities materialising

The responsibility of preparing the deficient account together with the statement of of affairs, usually assigned to the accountant where accounting records have been maintained on double entry basis and a balance sheet has been extracted as on the date of receiving order, the preparation of the statement of affairs and the deficiency account is merely a matter of copying the figures on the balance sheet into either the Statement of Affairs or the deficiency account or partially into each of them

Example 1:
Receiving order was served on a bankrupt person on 1st April 2013. Summarised balance sheet of his business on that date was as follows:
Balance sheet as at 1 May 2013
Capital                         50,000 , 000    Assets                                      200,000,000
Liabilities                   150,000,000                                                                
                                  200,000,000                                                      200,000,000


Additional information:
The Assets are expected to realise Tshs. 60,000,000 only
Required:
a)      Prepare the Statement of Affairs as at 1 May 2013
b)      Prepare a deficiency Account as at 1 may 2013


Solution:
Statement of Affairs as at 1 May 2013
Liabilities                                150,000,000    Assets                                      60,000,000
                                                                        Deficiency                               90,000,000
                                                150,000,000                                                    150,000,000


Deficiency Account
Capital                                     50,000,000                  Anticipated to realise  140,000,000
Deficiency                            *90,000,000                                                                              
                                             140,000,000                                                       140,000,000

NB: The * was computed by taking the difference between the figures copied on to either side of the statement of affairs
Important Points to Note:
  1. From the answers above, the figure of capital and liabilities appearing on the left hand side of the balance sheet have been copied to the same side of the deficiency account and the statement of affairs respectively
  2. The figure of assets appearing on the right hand side of the balance sheet, the assets are expected to realise, on to the same side of the statement of affairs, while the balance (being loss anticipated is copied onto the same side of the deficiency account
  3. Since the figures on either side of the balance sheet added up to the same total, and since these figures and no other have been copied on to either of the two new statements without altering the sides. It is inevitable that any difference arising between the figure recorded on the two sides of the statement of affairs be exactly equal and opposite to the difference similarly in respect of the deficiency account
  4. The statement of affairs clearly shows the bankrupt position on 1st May. It reveals that his assets being expected to realise only Tshs. 60,000,000 would be incapable of meeting his liabilities reckoned at Tshs. 150,000,00 and leaves a deficiency of Tshs.90,000,000
  5. In the event the assets realised Tshs. 60,000,000 as anticipated by the bankrupt person, and no expenditure whatsoever is incurred in the course of realising them, the bankrupt person will be in a position to meet only 40% of his liabilities
  6. Generally, the deficiency account explains how the deficiency of Tshs. 90,000,000 arose. The bankrupt person net assets position represented by his capital, of Tshs. 50,000,000 falls short of the anticipated Tshs. 140,000,000 loss on realising the assets by that amount
The deficiency account drawn in respect of this specific illustrative example is defective in that it attempts to explain the bankrupt person’s deficiency by merely matching his net assets position on the same day of the receiving order with factors that aggravated the same
Under the laws relating to bankruptcy, the deficiency account is expected to commence with the net assets position of the bankruptcy twelve months before the date of the receiving order and proceeds to quantify the various factors that aggravated it, resulting in the particular deficiency on the date of receiving order
This additional requirement does not however, constitute serious problem, because the information necessary for complying with this requirements is usually contained in every balance sheet by the way of explaining the movements of capital during the year.
Preparation of the statement of affairs and deficiency account still remaining the exercise of copying the figures appearing on the balance sheet on the same side of the appropriate statements

Example 2.
Receiving order was served on a bankrupt person on 1st April 2013. Summarised balance sheet of his business on that date was as follows:

Balance sheet as at 1 May 2013
Capital                         50,000 , 000    Machinery                                 50,000,000
Net Loss                      (30,000,000)   Furniture                                    50,000,000
Drawings                     (25,000,000)   Motor Vehicles                          80,000,000
Liabilities                     150,000,000   Fixtures &Fittings                      20,000,000                                                    200,000,000                                                    200,000,000

The  assets are expected to realise as follows: Machinery 20,000,000; Furniture 10,000,000, Motor Vehicles 25,000,000 and Fixtures &Fittings 5,000,000,000
Required:
(i)                 Prepare Statement of Affairs as at 1st May 2013
(ii)                Prepare Deficiency Account as at 1st May 2013
Solution
Statement of Affairs as at 1 May 2013
Liabilities                    150,000,000                Machinery                   20,000,000
                                                                        Furniture                     10,000,000
                                                                        Motor Vehicles           25,000,000
                                                                        Fixtures                         5,000,000
                                                                        Deficiency                   90,000,000
                                     150,000,000                                                   150,000,000

Deficiency Account for the year ended 1 May 2013
Capital                         105,000,000                Net Loss for the year        30,000,000
Deficiency                   90,000,000                  Drawings                            25,000,000
                                                                        Anticipated Loss on
                                                                        Realising the Assets           140,000,000
                                    195,000,000                                                          195,000,000

Explanations to Note:
The difference between the dating of the titles to the two new statements may be carefully noted. While the statement of affairs shows the position of the bankrupt person as at 1 May 2013, the deficiency account explains how the deficiency arose during the ending year on 1 May 2013
Information that has to be recorded on the statement of affairs and deficiency account is not always reflected on the balance sheet. For example, upon his adjudication, the bankrupt person will have no surrender to his trustee, not only his business assets, but also his personal assets, which would obviously not reflected on the balance sheet prepared in respect of his business on the day of his receiving order
Where such information outside the balance sheet has to be taken into account of , care must be taken to ensure that the information is reflected both on the statement of affairs and on the deficiency account on opposite sides, so that the two entries recording the information corresponds to the two legs of the double entry system. If we assume for example, that the only person assets the bankrupt person has is a life policy with a surrender value of 5,000,000 this amount will have to be recorded:
(i)                 On the right hand side of the statement of affairs to record the additiona property available for realisation
(ii)               On the left hand side of the deficiency account to show that the bankrupt person’s net asset position improves by that amount
Likewise if the bankrupt person has a personal liability its amount will have to be stated both on the left hand side of the statement of affairs and as a deduction from the net asset position reflected on the deficiency account
Example 3
On 1 May 2013, when the receiving order was made on the bankrupt person, the his balance sheet appeared as follows:
Balance sheet as at 1 May 2013
Capital                              105,000 000           Machinery                                 50,000,000
Net Loss                           (30,000,000)           Furniture                                    50,000,000
Drawings                         (25,000,000)            Motor Vehicles                          80,000,000
Liabilities                        150,000,000            Fixtures &Fittings                      20,000,000                                            200,000,000                                                       200,000,000

The following additional information was also available:
(i)                 The assets of the business are expected to realise as follows: Machinery 20,000,000; Furniture 10,000,000, Motor Vehicles 25,000,000 and Fixtures &Fittings 5,000,000,000
(ii)               On the same date, personal property of the bankrupt person consisted of Tshs. 20,000,000  and his personal  insurance policy of Tshs 5,000,000
(iii)              Tshs. 2,500,000 was in his personal bank account
(iv)             He owes Tshs. 16,000,000 to Musoma Foods Ltd in respect of household provisions acquired for his family
Required:
a)      Prepare Statement of Affairs as at 1st May 2013
b)      Prepare Deficiency Account as at 1st May 2013

Solution
Statement of Affairs as at 1 May 2013
Liabilities                    150,000,000                Machinery                   20,000,000
Musoma Foods Ltd    16,000,000                  Furniture                     10,000,000
                                                                        Motor Vehicles           25,000,000
                                                                        Fixtures                         5,000,000
                                                                        Personal Property        20,000,000
                                                                        Life Policy                    5,000,000
                                                                        Cash –personal             2,500,000
                                                                        Deficiency                   78,500,000
                                     166,000,000                                                   166,000,000


Deficiency Account for the year ended 1 May 2013
Capital                                        105,000,000             Net Loss for the year        30,000,000
Personal Assets                          27,500,000
Less: Personal Liabilities          (16,000,000)
Deficiency                                   78,500,000              Drawings                            25,000,000
                                                                                     Anticipated Loss on
                                                                                       Realising the Assets        140,000,000
                                                   195,000,000                                                       195,000,000

Explanations:
From the solution above, it will be observed that the bankruptcy law does not distinguish between personal assets and liabilities and those of the business (Unlimited liabilities). All assets together are expected to realise only Tshs. 87,500,000 where as total liabilities amount to Tshs. 166,000,000 leaving a deficiency of Tshs. 78,500,000. The deficiency account has clearly explained how the figure has arisen
It may be remembered that certain business liabilities capable of proving in bankruptcy may not be reflected on the balance sheet of the business, for example, since the bankruptcy will necessarily entail cessation of the business and hence discharge the employees, compensation will become payable to the employees, but the payments of such compensation being contingent on cessation of business, the amount of this liability will not be reflected on the balance sheet as at 1st April 2013. Further examples of such contingent liabilities not reflected on the balance sheet are:
  1. Bills discounted on which the business may remain liable either a drawer or endorse
  2. Claims for damages pending decision by court
All such contingent liabilities being not reflected on the balance sheet, will have to be recorded by stating the amount of such liability both on the left hand side of the statement of affairs recording an additional liability to be discharged and on the right hand side of the deficiency account (recording additional factor that aggravate the net asset position and precipitated the deficiency).         
Example 4
Receiving order was made on the bankrupt person on 1 May 2013. The position of his business on that date was as follows:
Balance sheet as at 1 May 2013
Capital                         150,000,000                Motor vehicles                        140,000,000
Net loss                       (30,000,000)                Stock in trade                          35,000,000
Drawings                     (25,000,000)                Trade debtors                          20,000,000
Industrial bank loan      50,000,000                Cash in hand                             5,000,000
Current liabilities         100,000,000               
                                    200,000,000                                                                200,000,000
It has been ascertained that:
(i)                 The motor vehicle which was involved in accident could only be realised for Tshs. 14,000,000; Stock in trade may be realised at 10% more tan the cost. Tshs. 500,000 of the debtors alone are expected to be good, and Tshs. 9,500,000 regarded as irrecoverable, while 80% of the balnce appears to be in doubt
(ii)               CRDB bank loan, on which interest accrues at 9% per annum, is secured on the vehicle
(iii)             Current liabilities include Tshs. 6,000,000 payable as interest on the industrial bank loan and Tshs. 19,000,000 payable in priority to other:
(iv)             Consequent to bankruptcy Tshs. 32,000,000 would become payable to the employees as compensation
(v)               Personal property of the bankrupt person consists of a life polict valued at Tshs. 25,000,000 and tshs. 2,500,000 in a personal bank account together with Tshs. 16,000,000 owing to Musoma Ltd. In respect of household provisions acquired for the family
Required:
a)      Prepare the Statement of Affairs as at 1 May 2013
b)      Deficiency account as at 1 May 2013

Statement of Affairs as at 1st May 2013
Unsecured Creditors
Liabilities-business                  75,000,000      Stock in trade                38,500,000
Compensation to employment32, 000,000     Trade debtors                *2,500,000
Musoma Foods Ltd                16,000,000      Cash-business                  5,000,000
Secured Creditors                                         Cash-personal                2,500,000
CRDB Bank loan                    50,000,000      Life Policy                    25,000,000
Interest Outstanding                 6,000,000      Less: Pref.Creditors    (19,000,000)
                                                56,000,000                                            54,500,000
Less: Motor Vehicle                (14,000,000)    Deficiency                   110,000,000
                                                165,000,000                                        165,000,000

Deficiency Account for Year Ended 1 May 2013
Capital                                     105,000,000    Net Loss                                        30,000,000
Personal           27,500,000                              Drawings                                        25,000,000
Less: Liability 16,000,000      11,500,000     Motor Vehicles    126,000,000
Deficiency                               110,000,000    Trade Debtors        17,500,000
                                                                                                      143,500,000
Less Gain on Stock (3,500,000)
                                                                        Compensation                                 32,000,000
                                                227,000,000                                                          227,000,000

*See the working below:
Trade debtors                          20,000,000
Less: Good                                   500,000
Less: Irrecoverable                 9, 5000,000
                                                10,000,000
80% doubtful                            8,000,000
20% collectible                          2,000,000
Hence the total realizable = Tshs 2,500,000 (Good + Collectible)
From the above illustration we can deduce the following important points:
a)      What the statement of affairs does effectively is to match the full amount of unsecured creditors (amounting to Tsh. 165,000,000) with the amount expected to be available to them (Tshs. 54,500,000) revealing the extent of anticipated deficiency
b)      Tshs. 14,000,00 expected from the damage vehicle is available exclusively to the industrial bank, towards settlement of their capital plus interest, leaving them to rank as unsecured creditors for the balance of Tshs. 42,000,000
c)      Other unsecured creditors include personal liability to Musoma Foods Ltd (Tsh. 16,000,000) contingent liability by way of compensation to employees 9Tshs. 32,000,000) and current liabilities of the business, other than those qualifying for preferential treatment. The compensation is not accorded preferential treatment because it had not accrued due before the date of  the receiving order
d)     The amount expected to be produced by the disposal of both business and personal property is available, firstly for discharging the preferential creditors (Tshs. 19,000,000) leaving only the balance for unsecured creditors
e)      While the anticipated deficiency is being reported as Tshs. 110,500,000 all parties will be fully aware that the actual deficiency finally crystallising is bound to be different for several reasons such as:
(i)                 There is no certainty that the assets will produce amounts exactly as anticipated
(ii)               Part of the amounts on the assets will be inevitably have to be used for paying costs and trustees remuneration
(iii)             Trustee may be able to bring in additional assets for realisation under the doctrine of relating back, reputed ownership clause or by avoiding avoidable dispositions
Questions:
Define the terms ‘statement of affairs’ and ‘Deficiency Account’. Identify the eleven schedules supporting the statement of affairs
Question 2
Receiving order was made on Musoma Stores; a retail owner on 1st March 2010. The position of his business on that date was as follows:
Statement of Financial Position as at 1st March, 2010
                                                                                                     Tshs
ASSETS
Motor vehicles                                                                        105,000,000
Stock in trade                                                                26,250,000
Trade debtors                                                                15,000,000
Cash in hand                                                                  3, 750,000
TOTAL ASSETS                                                          150,000,000

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital                                                                         78,750,000
Net loss           for the year                                         (22,500,000)
Drawings for the year                                                 (18,750,000)
Industrial bank loan                                                      37,500,000
Current liabilities                                                           75,000,000
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILIES                                    150,000,000

It has been ascertained that:
(a)        The motor vehicle could be realized for Tshs 10,500,000 while stock in trade may be realized at 10% more than the cost. Tshs 375,000 of the debtors are expected to be good and Tshs 7,125,000 regarded as irrecoverable, while 80% of the balance appears to be in doubt.
(b)       Industrial Bank loan, on which interest accrues at 9% per annum, is secured on the vehicle
(c)        Current liabilities include 4,500,000 payable as interest on the Industrial Bank loan and Tshs 14,250,000 payable in priority of others.
(d)       Consequent to bankruptcy 24,000,000 would become payable to the employees as compensation.
(e)        Personal property of the bankrupt person consists of a life policy valued at Tshs 18,750,000 Tshs 12,000,000 owing to Chakula Supplies Ltd in respect of household provisions acquired for the family
Required:
Prepare Statement of Affairs and Deficiency Account as at 1st March 2010.          

Question 3
The examination of the books of accounts submitted by Kareem who has filed a petition for bankruptcy as at 31st December, 2011 revealed the following trial balance:


Dr.Tshs (‘000’)

Cr.Tshs (‘000’)
Land
27,000


Plant and machinery
15,000


Mortgage (secured on land and building


18,000
Stock at 1st January, 2010
12,000


Sales


111,000
Purchases
96,000


Wages
21,000


Debtors
18,000


Creditors


57,000
Bank


1,500
Capital


6,000
Drawings
4,500



193,500

193,500

Further inquiries reveal that the stock at 30th April, 2010 is valued at Tshs 9,000,000/=. The realizable value of other assets is:

Land and buildings                                             Tshs. 25,500,000/=
Plant and machinery                                           Tshs. 12,000,000/=

One debt of Tshs. 1,500,000/= is irrecoverable. Of the creditors, Tshs 3,000,000/= are preferential in bankruptcy. Personal drawings have not varied deficiency account.

Required:
Prepare a statement of affairs and deficiency account.