Integrated Accounts

Definition: Integrated Accounts are statements in which financial and cost accounting transactions are maintained jointly. In other words, when the cost and financial accounts are merged and recorded in the same set of books, it is referred to as Integrated Accounts.

It accommodates complete information about both areas. However, the transactions are recorded based on the double-entry system.

It reduces duplication, increases accuracy and facilitates control over the assets & liabilities.

When it comes to suitability, integrated accounting works best for mechanized accounting as well as similar data processing methods. It majorly focuses on the concept of centralized accounting.

This approach ascertains a variety of factors like:

• Cost of product
• Job cost
• Process cost
• Operations cost
• Marginal cost
• Variance
• Abnormal loss and gains, etc

Cost accounting records transactions functionally, whereas transactions are recorded based on their nature in financial accounts. Integrated accounts inculcate both the above qualities while preparing books.

Content: Integrated Accounts

1. Advantages and Disadvantages
2. Features
3. Journal Entries
4. Third Entry Method
5. Difference between Integrated and Non-Integrated Accounting Systems
6. Example
7. Final Words

Advantages and Disadvantages of Integrated Accounts

Following are the advantages of the Integrated accounts:

1. Avoids duplication of work
   As it combines statements, a single entry for one transaction is passed. Thus, there is no requirement to record transactions at multiple places. Consequently, it helps in avoiding duplication of work.
2. No reconciliation required
   There is no need for Reconciliation as we get only one profit and loss figure in the set of accounts.
3. Accuracy
   The data and information recorded are more accurate. This is because it considers two essential aspects of accounting.
4. Centralization of Accounts
   The centralization of accounts occurs as accounts of two departments are prepared by one.
5. Improved coordination
   It facilitates coordination among the cost and finance departments.
6. Economical
   Instead of multiple ledgers, we need to maintain only one set of books, saving time and money.
7. Cumulative Knowledge
   A combination of cost and financial knowledge results in better output.

Following are the disadvantages of Integrated accounts:

1. Unsuitable for large units
   The integrated accounting method is not suitable for large units. The reason behind it is that we require cost & financial data continuously.
2. Lacks perfection
   The data and information are vast, so perfect integration is impossible.
3. Complicated system
   Integrating requires expertise while merging the two broad accounting areas. Hence, it’s a complex task for accountants.

Features of Integrated Accounting System

Distinctive features of integrated accounts are as follows:

• Management
  Management plays an essential role in this system. The management has to decide the required degree of integration.
• Accounts Head
  We can classify the accounts heads in subsidiary ledgers like:
  • Sales Ledger
  • Purchase Ledger
  • Store Ledger
  • Stock Ledger
  • Overhead ledger, etc
• Training
  The responsible person should be provided with proper training to perform this accounting system.
• Coding
  Proper codes should be allotted to the accounts to provide relevant information timely.
• Control Accounts
  The control accounts are prepared for each subsidiary account. These control accounts follow the concept of a double-entry system. Some control accounts are listed below:
  • Store Ledger Control Account
  • Stock Ledger Control Account
  • Job Ledger Control Account
  • Overhead Ledger Account
  • Debtor Account
  • Creditor Account, etc
• Accounts Manual
  The managers prepare accounts manual under an integrated accounting system. It provides necessary information regarding accounting format, method of calculation, etc.

Journal Entries of Integrated Accounts

The cost ledger control account is not prepared in an integrated accounting system. As we maintain the cost & financial records in a single book. Here, we debit and credit the accounts head like Cash, Bank, Debtor and Creditors.

The table given below depicts journal entries for various transactions under integrated accounting.
Materials
Labour
Direct Expenses
Overheads
Other Transactions

Third Entry Method

The third entry method is another alternative to the integrated accounting system. It follows the approach of the double-entry system but differs from it in respect of cost.

Here, we record all the cost items under an additional account called the ‘Cost Ledger Control Account’.

Important points regarding the Third Entry Method are as follows:

1. Open an additional account called a cost ledger control account.
2. When any expense is incurred, this account is debited along with that expense account.
3. There is no requirement to pass double entry for the cost ledger control account.
4. The third entry analysis sheet called the cost ledger is prepared to show the cost of production of various jobs.
5. This cost ledger control account is credited and closed when the expenses are transferred to the profit and loss account, work-in-progress account, etc.

For example, the journal entry under the third entry method for raw material purchased of Rs.10,000/- will be recorded as shown below:

Difference between Integrated and Non-Integrated Accounting Systems

Basis	Integrated Accounts	Non-Integrated Accounts
Meaning	It is a combination of financial and cost accounts	It is a system in which financial and cost accounts are prepared separately
Reconciliation	Reconciliation is not required	Reconciliation is required
Number of books	One set of books is prepared	Separate books for cost and financial accounts are prepared
Duplication	Duplication of work doesn't take place	Duplication of work occurs, as one transaction is recorded in two books and reconciled at the end
Economical	It is economical as it saves time and money while maintaining books of accounts	It is less economical as compared to Integrated Accounts
Profit and Loss Figure	Only one profit and loss figure is shown because of a single set of books	Profit and loss are displayed in both books
Ledger	Subsidiary ledgers are prepared	Cost ledgers are prepared
Interdependence	Cost and Financial accounts are dependent on each other	It is an independent system of accounting

Example of Integrated Accounts

Alex Enterprises operates an integrated system of accounting. Pass required journal entries for the transactions listed below:

1. Raw material purchased (50% on Credit) Rs. 3,00,000/-
2. Materials issued to production Rs.2,00,000/-
3. Wages paid (50% Direct) Rs.1,00,000/-
4. Wages charged to production Rs.50,000/-
5. Factory overheads incurred Rs.40,000/-
6. Factory overheads charged to production Rs.50,000/-
7. Selling and distribution overheads incurred Rs.20,000/-
8. Finished goods at cost Rs.2,50,000/-
9. Sales (50% credit) Rs.3,75,000/-
10. Closing stock nil
11. Receipts from debtors Rs.1,00,000/-
12. Payments to creditors Rs.1,00,000/-

Final Words

An integrated accounting system is the maintenance of cost and financial accounts into one. Besides, it retrieves data and information from both departments. And prepares a summary of all the costs and financial transactions.

Through an integrated accounting system, one can reduce duplication of work. In addition, it saves costs as the preparation of accounts takes place in a consolidated form.