Why is it called a trial balance?

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Solution

A trial balance is called a trial balance because it is the first step taken for the preparation of the final statements of a business firm. A trial balance must have an equal debit and credit side balance, otherwise, there is an error in the trial balance.
Trial balance can be referred to as a document to check the arithmetic accuracy of the records.
Also read:
MCQs on Trial Balance
Difference Between Trial Balance and Balance Sheet
How to Prepare Trial Balance

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Q. Answer in only one sentence :

Why is Trial Balance prepared?

Q. Following Trial Balance is given but it is not correct. Prepare correct Trial Balance.


Debit Balances	Amount (₹)	Credit Balances	Amount (₹)
Building	3,00,000	Capital	3,68,000
Machinery	85,000	Furniture	28,000
Returns Outward	13,000	Sales	5,20,000
Bad Debts	14,000	Debtors	3,00,000
Cash	2,000	Interest Received	13,000
Discount Received	15,000
Bank Overdraft	50,000
Creditors	2,50,000
Purchases	5,00,000
	12,29,000		12,29,000

State true or false:

1) A Trial balance is an account.
2) A Trial balance is helpful for preparation of final accounts.
3) A Trial balance is most important document.
4) A Trial balance may be prepared on any date.
5) In Trial balance opening stock is recorded in credit balance column.
6) Both sides total of an account are taken in Gross Trial Balance.
7) Purchase account always shows debit balance.
8) A Trial balance is a List of Ledger balances.
9) A Trial balance does not ensure accounting accuracy.
10) A Trial balance shows only arithmetical accuracy.

Q. The following is the Trial Balance prepared by an inexperienced accountant. Redraft it in a correct form and give necessary notes : −

TRIAL BALANCE
for the year ending 31st March, 2017

Particulars	Amount	Particulars	Amount
	₹		₹
Cash in Hand	5,200	Bank Overdraft	16,400
Plant & Machinery	75,000	Capital	50,000
Typewriter	6,400	Goodwill	8,000
Stock (1-4-2016)	13,100	Sundry Creditors	8,200
Purchases	84,100	Sales	1,60,000
Carriage Inwards	2,800	Return Inwards	2,400
Carriage Outwards	1,600	Drawings	2,120
Sundry Debtors	18,300	Investments	4,000
Bills Payable	12,000
Rent Paid	9,600
Wages	16,500
Advertisement	4,500
Discount Received	3,200
	2,52,300		2,51,120

State whether the following statements are True or False-

1) A trial balance can agree in spite of certain errors.
2) Errors committed due to lack of accounting knowledge are errors of omission.
3) Trial balance is prepared from the balance of ledger accounts.
4) Rectification entries are passed in cash book.
5) Single sided errors affect only one account.
6) Suspense account is automatically closed after rectification of all errors.
7) Errors affecting the agreement of trial balance are called on side errors.
8) There is no need to open a suspense account if the trial balance agrees.
9) All the errors can be rectified only through suspense account.
10) Compensating errors affect the agreement of trial balance.

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