Question

What is the journal entry of cashier has stolen

Answer 1

Defalcation of Cash A/C (or) Loss by theft A/C   Dr  Rs.xxx

        To Cash A/C  Rs.xxx

(being cash stolen by cashier)

Answer 2

This transaction affects two accounts... Cash embezzlement a/c (because cash was stolen by a person ...it's a loss to us/or the business...) ..Cash account (cash balance

Cash embezzlement account is a nominal account.(cash embezzlement/loss due to theft is a loss ; all expenses Losses gains income come under nominal account)

Cash account is a real account.(cash is an asset; all assets and Liabilities come under Real account)

The Three golden rules of accounting are..

Personal Account : -Debit the receiver credit the giver

Real Account : Debit what comes in , credit what goes out

Nominal Account: Debit All expenses and losses, Credit All incomes and gains


In contention with the above rules..

cash embezzled a/c should be debited (because it is a loss)

cash should be credited (because cash is going out)

If there is any recovery .. the entry should be reversed to that extent....


Now coming to the Journal Entry ..

If Cash Stolen/ cash Recovered are on the same day...

Cash Embezzlement a/c. Dr xxxx

To Cash a/c. xxxx

(Being cash embezzled)

[OR]


Cash Embezzlement a/c Dr xxxx

To Cash a/c xxxx

(Being Cash Embezzled)


Cash a/c. Dr xxxx

To Cash Embezzlement a/c. xxxx

(Being embezzled cash Recovered)

Net Effect will be 'Same'

[Note : There you can see two types of treatment for a single transaction(s) .. Selection of one among them depends on the accountant's individual judgement..I Personally Recommend the second one..As it is a better way of presentation of accounts]



If Cash Stolen/ cash Recovered occur on different days ..


Cash Embezzlement a/c Dr ××××

To Cash a/c ××××

(Being Cash Embezzled)


Cash a/c. Dr ××××

To Cash Embezzlement a/c. ××××

(Being embezzled cash Recovered)