How are drawings treated in accounting?

In accounting, assets such as Cash or Goods which are withdrawn from a business by the owner(s) for their personal use are termed as drawings. It is also called a withdrawal account. It reduces the total capital invested by the proprietor(s).

In the case of goods withdrawn by owners for personal use, purchases are reduced and ultimately the owner’s capital is adjusted. The adjustment is done at cost price.

For small firms withdrawals are ordinarily seen in the form of cash or business assets, however, if a business is incorporated they are often observed in the form of dividends or scrip dividends. It is a natural personal account out of the three types of personal accounts.

Journal Entry for Drawings of Goods or Cash

  • In case of cash withdrawn for personal use from in-hand-cash or the official bank account.
Drawings A/C Debit Debit the increase in drawings
 To Cash (or) Bank A/C Credit Credit the decrease in assets 
  • In case of goods withdrawn for personal use from the business.
Drawings A/C Debit Debit the increase in drawings
 To Stock A/C Credit Credit the decrease in assets  

*Purchases account can also be used instead of stock account as the firm’s stock/purchases are being reduced.

It is a temporary account which is cleared during the accounting process at the end of each accounting year & is not shown as a business expense.

A debit balance in drawing account is closed by transferring it to the capital account. It does not directly affect the profit and loss account in any way.

Adjustment entry to show the decrease in capital

Capital A/C Debit
 To Drawings A/C Credit

(Same for both cash & goods)

Related Topic – Journal Entry for Goods Given as Charity/ or Free Samples

Example & Placement in Financial Statements

A leather manufacturer withdrew cash worth 5,000 from an official bank account for personal use. Post an appropriate journal entry for this scenario and also show journal entry for adjustment in the capital account.

Journal entry for cash withdrawn for personal use

Drawings A/C 5,000
 To Bank A/C 5,000

(Bank balance reduced by 5,000)

Adjustment entry to show the decrease in capital

Capital A/C 5,000
 To Drawings A/C 5,000

(Owner’s capital reduced by 5,000)

Type of Account and Where is it Shown in the Financial Statements

It is a Personal A/C and is adjusted from the capital. It is shown in the balance sheet on the liability side as a reduction in capital.

How are drawings treated in accounting?

Related Topic – Compound Journal Entry

Change in the Accounting Equation

The accounting equation changes with every transaction that happens in a business. Similarly with withdrawals for personal use the accounting equation changes as follows;

How are drawings treated in accounting?
Change in the Accounting Equation from Withdrawals for Personal Use

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How the drawings is treated in financial statements?

Effect of Drawings on the Financial Statements The owner's drawings will affect the company's balance sheet by decreasing the asset that is withdrawn and by the decrease in owner's equity. The owner's drawings of cash will also affect the financing activities section of the statement of cash flows.

Is drawings an asset or expense?

So, drawings are personal expenses and not business expenses. Hence, they are simple reductions in equity. So, drawing cannot be termed as assets or expenses.

What are drawings in accounting classified as?

A drawing account is a contra account to the owner's equity. The drawing account's debit balance is contrary to the expected credit balance of an owner's equity account because owner withdrawals represent a reduction of the owner's equity in a business.

How should drawings be treated in the final accounts?

Accounting Treatment Interest in drawings has the following two effects on final accounts: It is an income of the business. Therefore, it will be recorded on the credit side of the profit and loss account. It is also a personal expense of the owner.