What are the Various Source Documents in Accounting? What is meant by source document? A source document is one used to record the transactions in the books of account. These documents stand as evidence for business transactions. These include Cash Memo Invoice Receipt Debit Note Credit Note Voucher Pay in Slip Cheque etc. 1. Cash Memo: When goods are sold or purchased for cash, the firm gives or receives cash memos with details regarding cash transactions. These documents become the basis for recording these transactions in the books of accounts. 2. Invoice: Invoice is prepared when goods are sold or purchased on credit. It contains the name of the party, quantity, price per unit and the total amount payable. The original copy is sent to the buyer and the duplicate copy is kept as proof of sale and for future reference. Types of Invoice: Inland Invoice – An invoice which is used in internal trade transaction is called as an Inland Invoice. When the goods are sold within a country, the invoice relating to such a transaction is called as an Inland Invoice. Foreign Invoice – An invoice which is prepared for covering an international trade transaction is called as a Foreign Invoice. A number of copies are prepared, maybe even 10 to 12, because a number of authorities require it. Inward Invoice – Inward invoice is received by the buyer from the seller, on receipt of invoice; the buyer stamps it with date of receipt. The inward invoice number is entered in the purchase journal. Outward Invoice – Outward Invoice is a seller’s bill. An invoice which is inward to the buyer is an outward for a seller. It is called outward invoice, because it is sent to the buyer. At least one copy of the invoice is retained by the seller for necessary action and reference. Proforma Invoice – Proforma Invoice is not a real invoice. It is prepared to give a clear idea regarding the amount that would be paid by the buyer if he places an order. This is prepared at the request of the buyer. 3. Receipt: When a firm receives cash from a customer it issues a receipt as a proof of receiving cash. The original copy is handed over to the party making payment and the duplicate is kept for future reference. This document contains date, amount, name of the party and the nature of payment. 5 Kinds of Receipts Small Businesses Should Take Extra Care to Keep Meal & Entertainment Receipts Receipts from Out of Town Business Travels Vehicle Related Receipts Receipts for Gifts Home Office Receipts 4 & 5. Debit and Credit Notes: These are prepared when goods are returned to supplier or when an additional amount is recoverable from a customer. When the purchaser returns the goods to the seller the Purchaser sends a Debit Note to the seller (i.e. the purchaser debits the seller in his books. Purchasers Books) and the Seller sends a Credit Note to the purchaser (i.e. the seller credits the Purchaser in his Books. Sellers Books). Following are the JVs to be passed:- Sales Return inward A/c     Dr.     To Debtor A/c (Being goods returned by the customer) Creditor A/c          Dr.    To Goods Return A/c  (Being goods sent back to the seller) 6. Voucher: It is a written document in support of a transaction. It is a proof of a particular transaction taking place for the value stated in the voucher. This is necessary to audit the account. In book keeping, voucher is the first document to record an entry. Normally three types of vouchers are used. Receipt voucher  Payment voucher  Journal voucher RECEIPT VOUCHER Receipt voucher...

Demand vs. Supply- Parameter deciding market equilibrium The success of economic freedom of a country is naturally reflected in the form of human prosperity. Countries like India are evidencing a consistent increase in their annual GDP rates which obviously must have reduced the population percentage living below poverty line; yet this has not been accomplished and the question is, is it really something to do with the economic model or is it the bureaucracy and inefficiency the root cause for the strain in the economy? Flow of Economic Activity: This discussion aims at shedding some light on the flow of economic activity in a free market economy. The elemental players or contributors in a free enterprise market economy are individuals and firms. Individuals who own or control resources (in the form of labor, capital or natural resources), sell these resources to firms and obtain money. These resources which serve as necessary inputs in the production process add value to firms. The money received by individuals is called factor payment which is utilized to fulfill their consumption demands of goods and services. Two distinct areas of interaction exist between the individuals and firms. One is the product market where the products are bought and sold and the other being a market for production factors, where the inputs such as labor, capital and natural resources are traded. What is the activity in a product market? Fundamentally business is all about demand vs. supply. The consumers’ demand has to be met with by the manufacturers. Profit is the primary motive of any firm and the priority of a firm lies in responding to the demands of the consumer market by supplying goods and services to the potential and prospective buyers. Input costs and production technology are the determinants of supply conditions. People’s preferences and earnings decide the elasticity of market demand. The price of the product and quantity sold is a result of the interaction between demand and supply. In a product market money flows from consumers to firms and goods and services flow from firms to consumers. What happens in a factor market? The reverse of those conditions in the product market are seen in a factor market. Here the individual becomes the supplier of production factors and hence the money flows from firms to individuals and factors of production from individuals to firms. Prices and profits control the flow of money and resources through the factor market and flow of money and goods through the product market. What is a Free Market Enterprise? Added advantage of a free market enterprise is that, the effortlessness with which one can enter and exit the market. The activity flow proves advantageous to each person involved .Firms make profits, individuals are satisfied of their consumption demand for goods and services, resource owners are compensated for their services. If an individual is not able to benefit by trading in these markets, he or she is not required to do so or free to leave the market which ensures that nobody is made worse off by voluntary trade in these markets. Essentially countries have to go in for suitable economic restructuring that promotes equality and even distribution of wealth. Wall Street protest in US is a clear-cut indication of strained market economy which is a result of people’s fury against the prevailing economic...

Export can be in the form of merchandise (goods) or services (invisibles). When an entrepreneur wants to spread out his scope of business activity beyond the territory of his nation it is called export, whence he has to prepare himself to confront the challenges prevailing in the global market. How to go about Export? Business by itself calls for discipline whether you talk about your credit policy, quality of your product or services, on time delivery, payments, fund rotation, human resources management and the like. The taste of success in the domestic market gives you the necessary confidence to spread your wings far and wide. To be a part of the global market, you are expected to imbibe not only more discipline and order but you should be very thorough about the procedures and policies of the country, to which you are planning to export and the various legal formalities pertaining to your business activity. How to Export From India Pic Courtesy: Procedure to Start Export Business from India What will be your plan of action if your merchandise is disapproved of its quality after reaching the destination or the shipment gets destroyed due to some eventuality? To combat contingencies we have to have a representative working for us in the chosen place of activity who would report and handle the proceedings. Pre-Requisites for Exporting Goods: How many people do you think who have acquired the desire to export their products have a clear idea about the steps involved in starting an export business? First you have to secure the IEC CODE (import export code) from the DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade) that comes under THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. What is IEC Code? Import Export Code (also known as IEC) is a 10 digit identification number that is issued by the DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade), Department of Commerce, Government of India. Info Courtesy: Shiprocket.in It is also known as Importer Exporter Code. It is mandatory for companies and businesses to obtain this code to start a business that deals with import and export in the Indian Territory. It is not possible to deal with export or import business without this code. While exporting you get the following edge over others: Exposure to forex marketExposure to diversified cultureExposure to varied laws and legal formalitiesExposure to business risks which you must take up as a challenge Having businesses in various countries is better than having all businesses in one country. It saves you during periods of economic recession. You experience market growth by entering into different and new markets; Asian and European markets are flooded with traders from all around the world since these regions enjoy a locational advantage in the world map and well connected through the sea and land. RBI Policies: Exporters must be aware of the fact that RBI policies are very severe when it comes to foreign exchange. So you should have proper informational inputs from the correct source and your capital has to be invested accordingly. Slide Courtesy: Import and Export Policies and Procedures Exploring unfamiliar and exotic markets is very difficult as they are always dynamic. You should see to it that you keep yourself posted with updates on INTERNATIONAL FINANCE, LENDING RATES etc. Also Read: 10 key steps to export success You can make a small business big and beautiful by adding some flavor to it like, Right time to launch your product in the global scenario, People’s preference being given priority by doing some demographic survey, Attractive campaigns and of course Your unendurable passion for business will do the rest to make your venture a successful one. Read...

E-Commerce Business Models – Highly Recommended Internet User Statistics in India: 100 Million unique internet users 25 Million Facebook users 20 Million Youtube users 10 Million tweeters Ecommerce market size: 46520 Crores Role of Trade and Commerce: Trade and commerce play a decisive role in boosting up a country’s economy. An economy is said to expand only when a country concentrates on bringing a radical change in its commercial activities. Needless to say, the invention of computers and computer based services, has revolutionized the industry of commerce, where trading is done online. The emergence of “E-Commerce” is a real benefit bestowed on the traders to sell their merchandise in a popular platform called internet. E-commerce has overturned the history of retail selling market, due to the unanimous support of the consumers. Lifestyle Changes: The changing life styles of consumers have led to the evolution of e-commerce as an appealing alternative to terrestrial retail network. Everything has been made simple and easy. All kinds of services are available for the consumer at a mouse click’s distance. Internet gives him the privilege and liberty to happily surf through the net, from the cool confines of his house, to finalize and order a product or service of his choice. Payment systems are again made easy, through PayPal or credit or debit cards, electronically verified and authorized. So, why would consumers wait in a long queue to avail a specific service or drive down to the market place for purchasing their merchandise anymore, when e-commerce presents them all in a platter at their door steps? The Internet – Virtual Market Place: Internet serves as the virtual market place, where exchange of goods and services are quick and convenient. Many big corporate companies have started selling their products online, to manage the stiff competition posed by other competitors and small online vendors. Online presence is necessary to accelerate your profits and retain your market share. Through e-commerce, you also stand a chance to win over the interests of various sections of a society because of global internet penetration. The following list would give you a fair idea about the extensive penetration of e-commerce cutting through various economic layers. You can compete globally with other big merchants, as this is a virtual market arena, devoid of any geographical boundaries. Your prerequisite would be a computer terminal with high speed internet connection and a valid bank account. Electronic fund transfer through Real Time Gross Settlement and Net Banking, through which you are able to receive and transfer funds immediately. Online business works round the clock, so you are accessible 24/7, that really helps you to increase your sales and thus your profit margins. There is no need for credit sales, until and unless you have a dealer network to which you have to extend credit facilities. Payment of tax, electricity bills, telephone bills are now made online through the internet. Firms are able to cut down their costs, in terms of infrastructure, marketing, holding inventory, customer relationship management, information processing etc. , The highlight is, you also get instant feedback on the price and other features of your product or service, that helps you to employ pricing and promotional strategies. Travel industry, consumer electronics, shipping industry, Companies producing fast moving consumer goods, car rentals and so many other industries are thriving in the web market, thanks to e-commerce. Talking about the shortcomings, I must say that internet has not touched millions of people yet across the globe, to enable them to enjoy the benefits and privilege of this new economic system-commerce may not suit certain sectors of business like perishable food items, where time is an...

How can we define Business? Business is an important institution in the society. Be it for the supply of goods and services; Creation of employment opportunities; Offering better quality of life; Contribution to the economic growth of a country; the role of business is crucial. The subject of business is as interesting as its role in society. The more one reads about it, more interesting does business become. To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart. – Thomas Watson Sr. Entrepreneurial activities The increasing number of business schools and institutions signify the importance and the need for training the students on rudiments of business management. Developing countries encourage entrepreneurial activities and view it as a strategy to improve the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). More business activity means increased per capita income and increased standard of living. A business must make profit to succeed. Profit is income minus outgo. It is the main incentive for starting a business. Business people weigh each of their decisions in terms of making profit and avoiding loss. In a corporate environment, business has to aim for wealth maximization apart from profit maximization to increase the shareholder’s wealth in the long run. The scope of business is indeed vast. It all depends on how well you have analyzed and understood the nuances of your business activity, in order to survive and sustain in the market. Supply Chain The supply chain in a business activity involves numerous links in the form of manufacturers, supplier of raw materials to the manufacturer, dealers, logistics, intermediaries, consumers, bankers, advertising agencies, insurance agencies and so on. All these elements have to function in a coordinated manner for the benefit of the consumer. Now days, business has become customer-centric rather than product-centric. This serves both the purpose of product development in lieu of customer needs and customer satisfaction. The multitudinous activities involved in bringing raw materials to the factory and the end product from there to the market constitute business. In addition, a business activity has to comply with legal restrictions and government regulations. A business is also expected to discharge its social obligations to consumers, employees, owners and to other interest groups, which have stakes in business directly or indirectly. Planning and organization Planning and organization are two key principles in running a business enterprise as planning sets up a concrete premise on which action plans can be developed and organized activities assures definite success. Modern business is dynamic. Future business will be knowledge based and brainpower will be in greater demand. Organizations have become flat. Eight to twelve organizational layers have been reduced to two or three. Gone are the days of sheltered markets, subsidies, licenses, quotas and restrictions. Businesspersons are asked to stand on their feet, to eliminate inefficiencies, cut down costs and improve productivity. LoL! It might be said that it is the ideal of the employer to have production without employees and the ideal of the employee is to have income without work. –E. F....