Dissolution  means breaking up or undoing.There are two types of Dissolution:-

1-Dissolution of Partnership

Dissolution of partnership changes the existing relationship between partners but the firm may continue its business as before.It takes place in the following circumstances.

1. Changes in PSR among partners

2. Admission of a new Partner

3. Retirement/Death of a partner

4. A partner becomes insolvent etc

5. Completion the venture

6. Expiry of the period of partnership

2-Dissolution of a Firm

When the partnership between all the partners of a firm comes to an end ,it is called dissolution of a firm.When the firm is dissolved , it leads to the closure of the business.

Modes  of the dissolution of a firm

1. Dissolution by agreement

A firm is dissolved 

   a) With the consent of all the partners

   b) As per the terms of the partnership agreement

2. Compulsory dissolution

A firm is dissolved compulsorily in the following cases: 

  a) When the business of the firm becomes illegal 

  b) When all the partners or all except one become insolvent 

  c) When all the partners or all except one decides to retire from the firm 

  d) When all the partners or all except one die

3. On the happening of certain contingencies

In the absence of an agreement to the contrary, a firm will be dissolved in the following cases:

   a) If  constituted for a fixed period, by the expiry of that term

   b) If constituted to carry out one or more ventures, by the completion thereof; 

   c) By the death of a partner

   d) By the declaration of a partner as an insolvent

4. Dissolution by notice

If any one of the partners gives a notice in writing to other partners, signifying his intention to dissolve the firm.

5. Dissolution by court

a)   When a partner becomes of unsound mind 

b)   When a partner becomes permanently incapable of performing his duties as a partner 

c)   When the partner transfers all of his interest in the firm to a third party 

d)   When the business of the firm is can’t be carried on at a loss. 

e)   When the partner commits breach of agreement relating to the management of the firm 

f)   When, on any ground, the court regards dissolution to be just and equitable

                       Distinction between   Dissolution of Partnership   and      Dissolution of Firm

Settlement of Accounts

In case of dissolution of a firm, the business is discontinued and the firm has to settle its accounts.For this purpose , all the assets of the firm are sold and liabilities are paid off and the balance available is distributed amongst the partners.

Order of settlement of Accounts

1. Realisation expenses

2. Debt of the firm to third parties

3. Repayment of loans from partners.

4. Repayment of capital contributed by partners.

5. The balance amount shall be divided among the partners in the Profit sharing ratio

The following accounts are prepared for the purpose of dissolution

1-Realisation Account :-It is a Nominal account prepared for the purpose finding out the profit or loss on realisation.

2-Capital accounts of Partners:– Each partner’s capital account is credited with accumulated profit and realisation profit or debited with accumulated loss and realisation loss if any.The balance in the capital account represents the amount due to or due from each partner.It is closed by paying off or bringing in cash as the case may be.

3-Cash/ Bank Account:– After entering the cash realised and paying towards the liabilities and realisation expenses, the balance in this account equals the balance in the capital accounts of partners. When final account settlement is made cash account and partners capital account will automatically closed.

Loan from a partner

Loan from a partner is not transferred to realisation account.It is paid directly the loan accountitself.Loan from wife of a partner is treated as outside liability hence it is taken in to realisation account.

1-For closing assets accounts- except cash, bank and fictitious assets

Realisation  A/c    Dr

  To Assets A/c (Individually)

Note: Sundry debtors should be transferred at its full value without deducting the Provisions for doubtful debts.

 2- provisions

Provision for Doubtful Debts  A/c

“ Depreciation   A/c

Joint life policy reserve             A/c

Contingency Reserve     A/c  

Investment fluctuation fund A/c

To  Realisation A/c

3-For closing liabilities account

All outsiders liabilities are closed by transfer to Realisation A/c

Sundry Creditors  A/c

B/P             A/c

Bank    O/D   A/c

Outstanding exp: A/c

Partner’s wife’s loan A/c

To Realisation  A/c

4-For sale of Assets

Cash /  Bank   A/c Dr

        To  Realisation  A/c

5-For assets taken over by a partner

Partners capital A/c   Dr

To Realisation A/c

6-For payment of Liabilities

Realisation A/c  Dr

To Cash / bank A/c

7- If a partner agree to discharge the liability 

Realisation  A/c    Dr

To Partner’s capital A/c

8-For the amount realised from unrecorded asset or new asset including goodwill if any

Cash / Bank    A/c   Dr

To Realisation A/c

9-For payment of a Unrecorded or new liability

Realisation    A/c    Dr

To Cash/ Bank

10-For Transfer of profit or loss on realisation

In case of profit on realisation

Realisation A/c    Dr

    To Partner’s capital A/c (Individually@PSR)

In case of loss on realisation

Partners capital A/c (Individually)

    To Realisation  A/c

11-For  transfer of accumulated profits in the form of Reserve fund or general reserve:

Reserve fund/General reserve  A/c     Dr

    To Partner’s capital A/c(Individually)

12-For payment of loans due to partners

Partners loan   A/c    Dr

    To bank   A/c

13- For settlement of Partner’s accounts

The balance is paid to partners whose capital A/cs  show a credit balance

Partners Capital   A/cs    Dr (Individually)

    To Bank A/c

If the partner’s capital a/c shows a debit balance, he brings the necessary cash

Bank     A/c    Dr

  To Partners Capital   A/c

PROFORMA OF REALISATION ACCOUNT