Accounting RatiosClass 12 Accountancy Part 2 NCERT Solutions

44 Solutions
Generated by KedovoAI
Solution 1 of 44
Q1Long Answer Questions

What are liquidity ratios? Discuss the importance of current and liquid ratio.

Solution

Liquidity Ratios

Liquidity ratios are financial metrics used to measure a company's ability to meet its short-term obligations (liabilities that are due within one year). These ratios assess the short-term financial soundness of a business by comparing its short-term assets (current assets) with its short-term liabilities (current liabilities). A company with sufficient liquidity is able to pay its debts on time, which is crucial for maintaining the confidence of creditors, suppliers, and investors. The two most commonly used liquidity ratios are the Current Ratio and the Liquid Ratio.

Importance of Current Ratio

The Current Ratio is a primary indicator of a firm's liquidity. It is calculated as: Current Ratio=Current AssetsCurrent Liabilities\text{Current Ratio} = \frac{\text{Current Assets}}{\text{Current Liabilities}}
Its importance is as follows:
  • Measure of Short-Term Solvency: It provides a comprehensive measure of the firm's ability to pay its current liabilities using its current assets.
  • Safety Margin for Creditors: A generally accepted benchmark for the current ratio is 2:1. This means that for every rupee of current liability, the firm has two rupees of current assets. This provides a significant margin of safety to short-term creditors.
  • Indicator of Working Capital Management: A very high current ratio may not always be favourable as it could indicate inefficient use of resources, such as idle cash, poor credit management leading to high debtors, or piling up of inventory. Conversely, a ratio below 1:1 signals a potential liquidity crisis.

Importance of Liquid Ratio

The Liquid Ratio, also known as the Quick Ratio or Acid-Test Ratio, is a more stringent measure of liquidity. It is calculated as: Liquid Ratio=Liquid AssetsCurrent Liabilities\text{Liquid Ratio} = \frac{\text{Liquid Assets}}{\text{Current Liabilities}} Where, Liquid Assets = Current Assets – Inventory – Prepaid Expenses.
Its importance is as follows:
  • More Realistic Liquidity Test: This ratio excludes inventory from current assets because inventory may not be easily and quickly convertible into cash. It provides a more conservative and realistic view of the firm's ability to meet its immediate liabilities without relying on the sale of stock.
  • Benchmark for Immediate Solvency: A liquid ratio of 1:1 is often considered ideal. It indicates that the firm has sufficient liquid assets to cover all its current liabilities.
  • Useful for Specific Industries: It is particularly important for businesses where inventory is a significant component of current assets and may be slow-moving or subject to obsolescence. It gives a better picture of the firm's immediate debt-paying ability.