Questions
6 questions per paper
Difficulty
Medium
Importance
High yield for HPCL/NTPC
Overview
Accounting and Taxation covers the fundamental principles of financial recording, statutory compliance, and corporate governance essential for managing PSU operations. This topic is critical for exams like NTPC and HPCL as it tests your ability to interpret financial health and understand fiscal obligations within an Indian business context.
Double Entry System & Financial Statements
The Double Entry System is the foundation of bookkeeping, where every transaction affects two accounts: Debit and Credit. Understanding the Balance Sheet and P&L is crucial as they provide a snapshot of assets, liabilities, and profitability.
- Accounting Equation: Assets = Liabilities + Equity
- Debit what comes in, Credit what goes out
- P&L calculates Net Profit = Revenue - Expenses
- Balance Sheet must always balance (Accounting Identity)
- Accrual basis vs Cash basis of accounting
GST Basics & Indirect Taxes
GST is a destination-based consumption tax applicable on the supply of goods and services. For PSU exams, focus on the types of GST and the concept of input tax credit.
- Types: CGST, SGST, IGST, UTGST
- IGST applies to inter-state supply
- GST Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister
- GSTIN is a 15-digit alphanumeric code
- Zero-rated supply vs Exempted supply
Income Tax Heads
Indian Income Tax Act defines five specific heads of income for individuals. Aspirants should know which income falls under which category for tax computation purposes.
- Income from Salaries
- Income from House Property
- Profits and Gains of Business or Profession (PGBP)
- Capital Gains (Short-term and Long-term)
- Income from Other Sources
Company Law Basics
This covers the legal framework governing companies in India, specifically the Companies Act, 2013. It is vital to understand the structure of public limited companies since most PSUs fall under this category.
- Memorandum of Association (MoA) defines company objectives
- Articles of Association (AoA) defines internal rules
- Director Identification Number (DIN) is mandatory
- Public company requires minimum 7 members
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) compliance thresholds
Formula Sheet
Assets = Liabilities + Owner's Equity
Net Profit = Gross Profit - Operating Expenses
Working Capital = Current Assets - Current Liabilities
Exam Tip
Focus on the five heads of income and basic accounting identities; questions are usually conceptual and definition-based rather than complex calculations.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing assets and liabilities in the accounting equation
- Misinterpreting the difference between tax evasion and tax avoidance
- Mixing up the applicability of IGST versus CGST/SGST
More Revision Notes
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