Change in Profit-Sharing Ratio Among the Existing Partners

The partnership means when two or more than two persons are agreed to do business together and share of the profits/losses of the business in an equal or already specified ratio. In the case of firm reconstitution, we have  Change in Profit-Sharing Ratio Among the Existing Partners as per deal between the partners.

“Partnership is the relation between persons who have agreed to share the profits of a business carried on by all or any of them acting for all” 

-Section 4 of the Indian Partnership Act, 1932

Change in Profit-Sharing Ratio Among the Existing Partners: –

Change in Profit-Sharing Ratio Among the Existing Partners means when one or more from the existing partners wants more share in the business profit then they mutually decide to change their profit sharing ratio from the earlier decided profit sharing ratio. This process is known as a reconstitution of the firm. 

In this process, who want more share he will gain an equal amount to the sacrificing amount of another partner(s). So to calculate the amount of additional capital required to acquire the more share of profit, we have to calculate the gaining/sacrificing ratio of the partners. To calculate the gaining/sacrificing ratio we have to apply the following formula: –

Sacrificing/Gaining Share =  Old Share – New Share

(both shares will be related to the partner whose Sacrificing/Gaining Share is calculating)

The result got from the above calculation, will be treated as sacrificing or gaining share as shown follows: –

• If the result comes in positive value then it will be Sacrificing Share. 
• If the result comes in Negative value then it will be Gaining Share.

Illustration: – 

A and B are the partner in the A&B Co. ltd. The shared profit of the firm in the ratio 2:1 but now they want to more the future profit in the equal ratio. So, you have to calculate the sacrificing and gaining ratio of both partners.

Solution: –

Sacrificing/Gaining Share =  Old Share – New Share

2. Adjustment for Change in Profit-Sharing Ratio: –

There are five types of adjustment are made for the change in Profit-Sharing Ratio. These are shown below and every adjustment is explained with the help of illustration in a separate article. 

1. Determination of Sacrificing Ratio and Gaining Ratio,
2. Accounting Treatment of Goodwill,
3. Accounting Treatment of Reserves, Accumulated Profits and Losses, 
4. Revaluation of Assets and Reassessment of Liabilities, and 
5. Adjustment of Capital.

1. Determination of Sacrificing Ratio and Gaining Ratio: –

First of all, To make any type of adjustment, we have to calculate the sacrificing/gaining ratio. With the help of this ratio, we will calculate the total amount of other adjustments. Both these ratios are explained further in the next article. 

1. What is Sacrificing Ratio
2. What is Gaining Ratio

2. Accounting Treatment of Goodwill: –

Goodwill means when one business acquired in a whole or some percentage of share of another business for the amount which is more than the total assets of that business. That amount of difference which is paid extra is known as goodwill. It is a tangible asset. 

So, The gaining partner(s) have to pay the amount of goodwill to sacrifice partner(s). To pay this amount we will make the adjustment entries or make a cash payment to the sacrificing partner(s). 

The gaining partner(s) will bring the share of goodwill equal to the his gaining share in the firm profit. 

3. Accounting Treatment of Reserves, Accumulated Profits and Losses, 

A reserve refers to that proportionate amount of net profit or surpluses which is retained for the future payments. In other words, the retention of the profit which is not for any known liability.

This amount is related to the past year that’s why the sacrificing partner has a right on it. So, the Reserves and Accumulated Profits and Losses are divided in the old profit sharing ratio. 

4. Revaluation of Assets and Reassessment of Liabilities: –

As per the accounting standard, we will show the all assets in the accounting books on original(cost) value but some of our assets will appreciate and some of them will have less market value as compared with book value.

So that’s why we have to calculate the true/market value of the assets and liabilities and then distribute is amount of difference among the partners.  

5. Adjustment of Capital: –

The adjustment of capital is must because the gaining partner(s) has to invest more to get the more profit share in the firm. So, the partner will bring the required amount of capital as per his(their) gaining Ratio. 

and Sarcificing Partner(s) will withdrawal his(their) capital from the business because after reconstitution he(they) will have less share of profit that’s why he(they) will invest as the share of profit in the business. 

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