by Rectification of errors means correcting mistakes that occur in the accounting records of a business. These mistakes can happen while recording transactions, posting entries to the ledger or balancing accounts. Errors may be small or large, but if they are not corrected, the final accounts will not show the true profit or financial position of the business. Rectification ensures that every account shows the correct amount and the books remain reliable. The process involves identifying the error, understanding its effect and then passing the proper journal entry to correct it. Some errors affect the trial balance while some do not. By rectifying errors, the business maintains accuracy and avoids confusion in future accounting periods.
Need of Rectification of errors:
- To Maintain Accuracy in Accounts
Rectification is needed to keep the accounting records accurate. Mistakes in recording or posting can make account balances wrong. If errors remain unchecked, the information used for preparing financial statements becomes unreliable. By correcting errors on time, the accounts reflect the true figures. This helps the business avoid confusion and ensures that every transaction is properly recorded in the books.
-
To Prepare Correct Final Accounts
Rectification is important for preparing correct final accounts. Errors may affect the profit and loss account, balance sheet and overall financial results. If mistakes are not corrected, profit may appear higher or lower and assets or liabilities may show wrong values. Rectification ensures the final accounts present a true and fair view. This helps owners, managers and other users rely on the financial statements for decision making.
-
To Ensure Trial Balance Agreement
Rectification is needed to make sure the debit and credit totals match in the trial balance. Some errors cause the trial balance not to agree. When such errors are located and corrected, the trial balance shows equal totals and confirms the mathematical accuracy of the books. This also strengthens the preparation of final accounts because the base figures become reliable.
-
To Follow Accounting Principles Properly
Rectification ensures that all transactions follow correct accounting principles. Sometimes errors occur due to misunderstanding of rules, such as treating capital expenses as revenue items. These mistakes affect the accuracy of the accounts even if the trial balance agrees. Correcting such errors helps maintain compliance with accounting standards and ensures proper classification of all items in the books.
Types of Accounting Errors:
- Errors of Omission
Errors of omission happen when a transaction is completely left out or partly left out from the books of accounts. For example, if a purchase is not recorded at all, the transaction is missed and the trial balance remains affected. Sometimes only one part of the entry is omitted. These errors hide important information and lead to incorrect financial statements. Rectification requires entering the missing transaction in the correct account so the records become complete and accurate.
-
Errors of Commission
Errors of commission happen when a transaction is recorded but in the wrong way. This may include writing the wrong amount, posting to the wrong account or entering the transaction on the wrong side. These errors usually affect the trial balance because the debit and credit amounts do not match. They occur due to carelessness or misunderstanding while recording entries. Rectification requires correcting the wrong figures or posting them to the correct accounts so that the books show proper information.
-
Errors of Principle
Errors of principle happen when an item is recorded in violation of basic accounting rules. For example, treating a capital expense as a revenue expense or recording a revenue item as a capital item. These errors do not affect the trial balance but they affect the profit calculation. They occur when the accountant does not follow correct accounting principles. Rectification needs proper reclassification so that items are recorded under the correct category and the accounts show a true financial picture.
-
Compensating Errors
Compensating errors happen when two or more mistakes cancel each other out. This means the trial balance still agrees even though the records contain errors. For example, excess debit in one account may be matched by excess credit in another account. These mistakes are difficult to find because the totals appear correct. But the individual accounts show wrong balances. Rectification requires identifying each error separately and correcting it so that every account shows the right figure.
Examples of Rectification of Errors with Journal Entries:
1. Error of Omission
Transaction sales of 5,000 not recorded.
| Journal Entry | Example Explanation |
|---|---|
| Debtors A c Dr 5,000 To Sales A c 5,000 | The sales entry was missed earlier. Now it is recorded correctly. |
2. Error of Commission
Wages of 2,000 wrongly posted to Salaries A c.
| Journal Entry | Example Explanation |
|---|---|
| Salaries A c Dr 2,000 To Wages A c 2,000 | Amount posted to wrong account is shifted to the correct account. |
3. Error of Principle
Furniture purchase 10,000 recorded as Purchases.
| Journal Entry | Example Explanation |
|---|---|
| Furniture A c Dr 10,000 To Purchases A c 10,000 | Revenue account is corrected by moving amount to capital account. |
4. Compensating Error
Discount allowed undercast by 300 and discount received overcast by 300.
| Journal Entry | Example Explanation |
|---|---|
| Discount Allowed A c Dr 300 To Discount Received A c 300 | Both errors cancel each other but accounts are corrected separately. |
