Gilt-Edged (Government) Securities Market

Government securities refer to the marketable debt issued by the government of semi-government bodies. A government security is a claim on the government. It is a totally securer financial instrument ensuring safety of both capital and income. That is why it is called gilt-edged security or stock. Central Government securities are the safest  among  all securities.  Government securities are issues by: Central Government State Government Semi-Government authorities like local government authorities, e.g., city corporations and municipalities Autonomous institutions, such as metropolitan authorities, port trusts, development trusts, state electricity boards. Public Sector Corporations Other governmental agencies, such as SFCs, NABARD, LDBs, SIDCs, housing boards etc. Characteristics of Gilt-edged Securities Market Gilt-edged securities market is one of the oldest market in India. The market in these securities is a significant part of Indian stock market. Main characteristics of government securities market are as follows: Supply of government securities in the market arises Continue reading

Financial Accounting – Definition, Nature, Scope and Limitations

MEANING OF ACCOUNTING Accounting is the process of recording, classifying, summarizing, analyzing and interpreting the financial transactions of the business for the benefit of management and those parties who are interested in business such as shareholders, creditors, bankers, customers, employees and government. Thus, it is concerned with financial reporting and decision making aspects of the business. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Committee on Terminology proposed in 1941 that accounting may be defined as, “The art of recording, classifying and summarizing in a significant manner and in terms of money, transactions and events which are, in part at least, of a financial character and interpreting the results thereof”. DEFINITION OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING The term ‘Accounting’ unless otherwise specifically stated always refers to ‘Financial Accounting’. Financial Accounting is commonly carries on in the general offices of a business. It is concerned with revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities of a business Continue reading

Guidelines for Preparing a Proper Strategy for Debt Recovery

Devising a strategy helps in achieving a set goal or objective.   Recovery agents should therefore devise a strategy for debt recovery.   The following guidelines would help in preparing proper strategy for debt recovery. The collection process should be compliant to the bank-specific recovery norms and also regulatory guidelines. The collection timing should be synchronized to the cash inflow pattern of the debtors: For example, recovery from salaried employees should be timed when salary is received by or credited to the debtor’s account, normally at the moth-end.   In case of SME borrowers the effort should coincide with cash flow on account of sales.   In case a collection from agriculturist should be made, then it should be soon after the crops are sold.   This will call for knowledge of bank products on the part of agents.   It should be the endeavour of the agent that collection Continue reading

Harmonization of Accounting Standards

Many authors have put together different definitions for accounting harmonization in various ways. It would seem not an easy word to define, as neither the European Commission nor other organs of the commission have explicitly defined the concept of accounting harmonization. Some have even complicated the whole concept, by attempting to substitute harmonization with standardization, as if to mean that the process is the same, rather than making it more compatible. In practice, harmonization of accounting standards tends to mean the process of increasing the compatibility of accounting practices by setting bounds for the degree of variations. This can be accepted to be the most suitable definition of the concept. Harmonization of accounting standards has become a highly demanded issue of discussion and debate among accounting professionals around the globe. Accounting Standards are the authoritative statements of best accounting practices issued by recognized expert accountancy bodies relating to various aspects Continue reading

Concept of Capitalization in Financial Management

Meaning of Capitalization Capitalization is an important constituent of financial plan. ln common parlance, the phrase ‘Capitalization’ refers to total amount of capital employed in a business. However, scholars are not unanimous in so far as capitalization   is concerned. The term capitalization connotes the process of determining the quantum of funds that a firm would require to run its business.  Capitalization is distinct from share capital which refer only to the paid-up value of shares issued and definitely excludes bonds and other forms of borrowings. Similarly, it should be distinguished form ‘capital’. The term capital refers to the total investment of a company in money, tangible assets like goodwill. It is in a way the total wealth of a company. When used in the sense of net capital, it indicates the excess of total assets over liabilities. Here, then, it includes “the gains or profits from the use and Continue reading

Structured Financial Messaging System (SFMS) – Safety System for Electronic Transfer of Funds in India

In November 2001 RBI has introduced the Structured Financial Messaging System (SFMS), an application which would be riding on the backbone of the Indian Financial Network (INFINET) intended as a measure, to ensure greater security in the process of electronic funds transfers. The SFMS provides security in the various electronic funds transfers services introduced by RBI such as he Credit Clearing and Debit Clearing and the retail Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) system and prevents unauthorized usage Objective and Benefits of  Structured Financial Messaging System (SFMS) The usage of the Structured Financial Messaging System  (SFMS) over the INFINET would automatically bring the benefits of safe, secure and efficient funds transfers There would also be the added benefit of settlement of inter-bank transfers taking place in the books of accounts of banks maintained with the RBI thereby providing for finality of settlement. Structured Financial Messaging System  (SFMS) would have adequate security measures Continue reading