What are the common problems of pre and post-incorporation?

Pre and post-incorporation have the same problems as those of the start and end of the financial year. For example, we cannot report sales on an accrual basis if we close books one day prior to incorporation. Also, there may be issues with depreciation and inventory valuation.

What is a profit prior to incorporation?

The term "profit prior to incorporation" refers to an entity's profits earned before it was formally registered as a company.

How do you calculate the profit prior to incorporation?

You can use the assessment method and the closing down method.

Is pre-incorporation income taxable?

The assessment of tax on the prior period's profits depends upon whether it was earned within a separate legal entity before its incorporation or not. If the earnings were not earned within a separate legal entity, then they are attached to the owner.

Is it necessary to adjust the pre-incorporation debtors and creditors?

Any adjustment to pre-incorporation debtors and creditors would have to be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the particular facts and circumstances of each situation.

Profit or Loss Prior to Incorporation

Question 1

A company was incorporated on 30 April in order to acquire the business of a private firm as of 1 January.

The company closes its books on 31 December. The gross profit for the whole period was calculated at $120,000.

The sales for the month of August were 3 times the average, 2 times the average for January and July, 1.5 times for October and December, and it 0.5 times for November.

Estimate the gross profit earned prior to incorporation.

Solution

Let the average monthly sales be equal to 1. Therefore, sales for the 6 months are shown as follows:

August	3
January	2
July	2
October	1.5
December	1.5
November	0.5
Total sales for 6 months	10.5

Total sales for the remaining 6 months: February, March, April, May, June, and September = 12 - 10.5 = 1.5.

Therefore, average sales for the 6 months = 1.5 / 6 = 0.25, i.e., 1/4 of the average. As such, sales for January to April = 2 + 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 = 2, 3/4.

In turn, sales ratio = 2 3/4 : 9 1/4 or 11/4 : 37/4 or 11 : 37. With this in mind:

Gross profit prior to incorporation = 120,000 x 11/48 = $27,500
Gross profit after incorporation = 120,000 x 37/48 = $92,500

Question 2

A company was incorporated on 1 April to acquire the running business of a partnership firm from 1 January.

The account year ends on 31 December.

Using the information shown below, calculate the sales ratio for the pre-incorporation and post-incorporation period.

Sales for the whole year (January to December) = $720,000
Sales for January, June, and July are 2 times the average
Sales for August are 1.5 times the average
Sales for March and September are 0.5 times the average

Solution

Post-incorporation period sales = $720,000 - 185,000 = $535,000

Therefore, the sales ratio of pre-incorporation and post-incorporation period is equal to 185,000 : 535,000 or 37 : 107.

Question 3

Flat Limited was incorporated on 1 July 2019 to take over the running business of Mr. Round, which would come into effect on 1 April 2019. The following profit and loss account was drawn up for the year ended 31 March 2020.

Profit and Loss Account for Flat Limited

The following details are available:

The average monthly turnover from July 2019 onward was double that of the previous months.
Rent for the first 3 months was paid at $200 per month and thereafter at a rate increased by $50 per month.
Bad debts ($350) related to sales came into effect after 1 September 2019 and the realization of bad debts was in respect of debts written off during 2017.
Advertisement expenses were directly proportionate to sales.

Find the gross profit prior to incorporation and describe its treatment in the company's books.