AATT6312 - Module Workbook
AATT6312 - Module Workbook
This manual enjoys copyright under the Berne Convention. In terms of the Copyright
Act, no 98 of 1978, no part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or
by any other information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing
from the proprietor.
ASSETS
Assets are resources from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to
the entity. Assets can be employed in various ways in order to obtain economic benefit:
There are two categories of assets i.e., Non-Current Assets and Current Assets:
Non-current assets are assets which are normally kept for a period longer than one
year, used within the business and cannot quickly be converted into cash e.g., land
and buildings.
Current assets are assets which are normally kept for a period shorter than a year
and can easily be or are expected to be converted into cash within a year e.g., debtors.
LIABILITIES
Liabilities can also be divided into two categories i.e., Non-Current Liabilities and
Current Liabilities.
Non-current liabilities are payable over a period longer than one year e.g.,
mortgage loans and any other long-term loans.
Current liabilities are payable within one year e.g., bank overdraft, creditors.
EXPENSES
An expense cannot be owned by the business. Expenses are the costs incurred
in running a business to produce the income from which the net profit will result.
Examples of normal expenses are salaries and wages, repairs and maintenance,
postage, stationery used, audit fees, advertising, etc.
INCOME
CAPITAL
This refers to what the owner(s) of the business brings into the
business with the intention that the capital will be used by the business in
order to attain the primary goal of the business, i.e., making a profit.
DRAWINGS
This refers to what the owner of the business takes out of the business for his/her
personal use and is normally cash.
OWNER’S EQUITY
Equity is the share of the business that belongs to the owner. In other
words, his/her net worth in the business. This is calculated by
subtracting the value of the liabilities from the value of the assets of
the business.
CREDITORS
DEBTORS
Record all transactions related to All monies held in ‘trust’ i.e., belongs
business to clients and not the attorney.
e.g., capital contribution; Normally clients pay money before
rent paid or received; the attorney supplies the service
payment of telephone, water & required. The attorney is only entitled
electricity and other expenses; to receive payment for his/her
issuing of invoices to clients for service once it is completed.
services rendered and receive
payment from business clients
These two sets of books are linked but MUST be kept separate.
Monies will be transferred to the business bank account from the trust bank
account when the money accrues to the attorney.
DR CR
- +
DR CR DR CR
EXPENSES INCOME
+ - - +
DR CR DR CR
+ - - +
BUSINESS ACCOUNTS
ASSETS OWNERS EQUITY LIABILITIES
TRUST ACCOUNTS
ASSETS LIABILITIES
NOTE each Business and Trust Client should have their name included in the name
of their account, e.g., Business Client Dali Dlamini and Trust Client Dali Dlamini.
For our purposes we will not be using Debtors Control and Creditors Control
Accounts but rather open separate accounts for each debtor and creditor.
Suppliers who supply equipment or services on credit to the Attorneys practice will be
Business Creditors, each creditor will have their own account.
As a result, are you going to DEBIT it or CREDIT it? – look at your ±’s table.
Remember
SOURCE DOCUMENTS
All transactions are recorded on source documents. Source documents are used to
enter the transactions into the subsidiary journals of the business.
EXAMPLES
Please Note that as of 1 January 2021 cheques are no longer used as legal tender
in South Africa. We will ignore all reference to cheques in the textbook.
SUBSIDIARY JOURNALS
Journals are known as books of first entry. All transactions are recorded in the
journals before being posted to the general ledger. REMEMBER a distinction must
be made between the books of the Business and the books of the Trust.
EXAMPLES
NB
A cash receipts journal and a cash payments journal may be combined into a
cashbook, but we will use separate journals in LU1 and post to the Business
Bank Ledger account. The cashbook incorporates the 2 journals and the bank
account in one. Similarly, with the Trust cash receipts journal and the Trust cash
payments journal
• Fees Journal (this format of journal differs from that in the textbook – please use
this format)
• General Journal
• Transfer Journal
Name of account to be
debited (Trust Client –
creditor)
Name of account to be
credited (Business Client -
debtor)
XX XXX XX XXX
The Totals at the end of the Transfer Journal indicates the amount to be
transferred from the Trust Bank Account to the Business Bank Account.
ACCOUNTS
The General Ledger is the primary accounting record for the business. The general
ledger is divided into several accounts.
There will be an account for every type of transaction e.g., telephone expense. All
transactions pertaining to telephone will be recorded in this account.
A ledger account is shown in the form of a T and is known as a T-account. The left-
hand side of the T is called the DEBIT side and the right-hand side is called the
CREDIT side.
A ledger is made up of columns (see below). The DEBIT side is the same as the
CREDIT side. Every asset, liability, equity, income and expense has its own account
in the general ledger.
Year 2022
Month Feb entered once on both sides.
Day 28 each date is entered once as required.
PLEASE NOTE when working in the general ledger we will use individual Debtors
and Creditors accounts (i.e., individual accounts for each debtor and creditor).
When drawing up the Trial Balance and other statements, the individual
accounts can be totalled and presented as one amount or kept separate.
BALANCING AN ACCOUNT
RENT
Date Contra Account Fol Amount Date Contra Account Fol Amount
2022
Feb 8
Business Bank BCPJ 300
2. Where more than one amount appears on one side only – draw a line
under last entry and total
WAGES
Date Contra Account Fol Amount Date Contra Account Fol Amount
2022
Feb 8
Business Bank BCPJ 7 000
15
Business Bank BCPJ 7 000
14 000
3. Where the same amount appears on both sides – draw total lines under
each amount
4. Where amounts appear on both sides – add up each side – calculate the
balancing amount – add it to the ‘smallest’ side – total each side (double
line under totals) – bring balance down to opposite side
** the balance is the difference between the total of the debit side (R86 000) and
the credit side (R56 000).
After all transactions have been recorded in the general ledger, it is customary to check
the accuracy of the postings of these transactions. We must ascertain whether all the
debits equal all the credits (as it should in a double entry system).
All the balances in the general ledger accounts are transferred to a statement known
as a Trial Balance which consists of a debit and credit column. Debit balances from
the general ledger are recorded in the debit column and credit balances are recorded
in the credit column. The totals of the two columns should be the same.
The Trial Balance is drawn up at the end of each month.
DEBIT CREDIT
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION SECTION
Business Bank 5 650
Capital 58 000
Drawings 2 500
Equipment 38 000
Law Library 50 000
Loan: BB Back 9 500
ABC Furnishers (Creditor) 10 250
NOMINAL ACCOUNTS SECTION
Fees 33 500
Rent 6 000
Salaries & Wages 4 500
Telephone 800
Repairs 3 800
R111 250 R111 250
LEGAL PRACTICE COUNCIL RULES made under the authority of the LEGAL
PRACTICE ACT – Government Gazette 41781 of 20 July 2018 is outlined in your
textbook (annexure B) and you are required to be able to answer questions
relating to the following sections:
This will be regarded as self-study as these specific items will NOT necessarily
be discussed during class time.
LEARNING UNIT 1
AN INTRODUCTION TO ACCOUNTING
Please refer to these chapters in the textbook as well as notes and examples in
this workbook.
1. All monies paid in advance of work done from future clients is paid into the
Trust Books. I.E., this money belongs to the Trust Client not the Business.
2. Once the work is completed and the client has been invoiced, the money
can be transferred from the Trust Books to the Business Books.
3. Once the work has been completed and a client still has a balance owing
in his/her business account. Payment of this account will go directly to the
Business Bank Account.
4. In today’s world most payments are made via Electronic Fund Transfers
(EFT) which allows money to pass between bank accounts without delay
via computer -based systems. An advantage of an EFT payment is that
money is transferred “instantly”. Other forms of payment are in cash or
using a debit card or credit card.
EXERCISE ONE
Analyse the following transactions which took place during the first month of
business at TOP NOTCH ATTORNEYS and show the effect of the transactions
on the accounting equation. (IGNORE VAT).
Calculate whether the business made a profit or loss during its first month of
trading and calculate the balance of the business bank as at the end of the
month.
EXERCISE TWO
Analyse the following transactions which took place during month of February
2022 at Laylow Attorneys and show the effect of the transactions on the
accounting equation. (IGNORE VAT)
Calculate whether the business made a profit or loss during February 2022.
Calculate the balance of the business bank account at the end of February 2022
– assume an opening balance of R27 400.
The owner, Justin Lowder, withdrew R50 000 from his capital account via
1
EFT and deposited the money into his own private banking account.
2 Paid his secretary’s salary, R25 000 via EFT.
3 Stationery was bought and paid for using the business debit card, R300.
Cash received from Mbali Mabuso and Joe Seremo, R9 000 and R45 000
4
respectively, for future legal services.
Lowder withdrew R7 500 via EFT, to pay his child’s school fees for the
5
month.
Accounted to (sent an invoice) Mbali Mabuso for services rendered for the
6
week amounted to R9 500.
7 Received an invoice from RR Printers for printing completed, R3 600.
8 Accounted to Joe Seremo for services rendered R50 000.
9 Paid annual membership fees to the Law Society, R7 500, via EFT.
10 Received the amount outstanding (cash) from Joe Seremo.
11 Wrote off Mbali Mabuso’s business debtors account as irrecoverable.
State which account will be debited, and which account will be credited to
12 reflect the monies due to Business Bank Account from Trust Bank Account.
Indicate the amount to be transferred.
EXERCISE THREE
Analyse the following transactions which took place in the books of Zando
Attorneys during the February 2022 owned and run by Zanele Zando and show
the effect of the transactions on the accounting equation. (IGNORE VAT)
Calculate whether the business made a profit or loss during February 2022
Calculate the balance of the business bank account at the end of February 2022
– assume an opening balance of negative R11 600.
EXERCISE FOUR
Analyse the following transactions which took place in the books of Tom Cowell
Attorneys during the January 2022 and show the effect of the transactions on
the accounting equation. (IGNORE VAT)
Calculate whether the business made a profit or loss during January 2022.
Calculate the balance of the business bank account at the end of January 2022
– assume an opening balance of positive R131 555.
The owner, Attorney Tom Cowell, deposited R95 000 cash into the business
1
bank account as additional capital.
2 Purchased stationery on credit from ABS Stationers for R37 500.
R5 800 charged to Client A Book, was correctly entered into the Fees
3 Journal and posted to the Fees account correctly but was posted to the
account of Client B Book. Correct the error.
Charged interest at 12% per annum for three months on the overdue account
4
of Client C Book, who owes an amount of R2 300.
Received cash from Client D Book for R3 000. D Book’s debt had been
5
written off as irrecoverable 6 months previously.
6 Purchased a vehicle on credit from BB Garage, R360 000.
Paid rent of R14 000 for the month via EFT. Tom Cowell Attorneys rents offices
7
from AHD Rental Agency.
Received R15 000 and R25 000 from two clients, Li Lun and Wei Lun,
8
respectively. Both clients paid deposits for future legal services.
Paid Mobile World R17 400 for a new telephone system fitted in the office, via
9
EFT.
10 Accounted to Li Lun for R14 500 for services rendered.
11 Paid Mobile World R26 000 for telephone use for the previous month, via EFT.
State which account will be debited, and which account will be credited to
12 reflect the monies due to Business Bank Account from Trust Bank Account.
Indicate the amount to be transferred.
VAT INPUT is tax paid (or payable) by the law practice – an ASSET
The Vat Output (LIABILITY) and Vat Input (ASSET) accounts are closed off to the Vat
Control Account at the end of every 2nd month
For the purposes of this module, we will follow the category B with regard to
how often the VAT vendor (i.e., the law practice) has to report to SARS on VAT.
VAT will be closed to the Control Account at the end of February, April, June, August,
October and December each year, if the exercise specifically asks that the INPUT and
OUTPUT VAT accounts should be closed to the Control Account.
The balance of the Vat Control Account represents the amount payable by the law
practice to the Receiver of Revenue (SARS) and is therefore a LIABILITY account
OR
the amount the Receiver of Revenue (SARS) owes the law practice and therefore it
is an ASSET account)
OR
VAT is collected by the Vat Vendor for the Receiver of Revenue, the VAT
amount does not belong to the Vat Vendor.
VAT RATES
Vat can be charged at 0% (zero rated) or 15% (rate currently used in SA)
• Fees
• Assets purchased by the law practice e.g.
o Equipment
o Land & Buildings
o Law Library Books
• Items supplied e.g.
o Stationery
o Advertising
o Water & Electricity
o Telephone
o Internet expenses
o Bank Charges
o Credit Losses/Credit Losses Recovered
o Rent
o Membership of professional bodies
Items which include VAT but fall into the non-allowable category e.g.
Know the requirements for valid tax invoice – both full and abridged. Refer to
textbook page 65 and 66.
EXERCISE FIVE
EXERCISE SIX
Analyse the following transactions which took place in the books of Upright
Attorneys during the February 2022 and show the effect of the transactions on
the accounting equation.
All amounts include VAT at 15%, where applicable, unless otherwise stated.
Calculate the VAT owed to/by SARS at the end of February 2022. Balance as at
1 February 2022, R2 125 owing to SARS.
EXERCISE SEVEN
Analyse the following transactions which took place in the books of Upright
Attorneys during the February 2022 and show the effect of the transactions on
the accounting equation.
All amounts include VAT at 15%, where applicable, unless otherwise stated.
Bill Collins paid R10 000 by direct deposit as a deposit for future legal work
1
to be completed.
2 Nellie Fish paid R5 000 in cash as a deposit for her divorce proceedings.
3 Paid the telephone account via EFT, R6 670.
4 Purchased a couch for the staff relaxation area, and paid R12 420 via EFT.
5 Negotiated a loan and received R500 000 from ABBA Bank.
6 Accounted to Bill Collins for legal work completed, R6 555.
7 Accounted to Nellie Fish for her divorce proceedings, R7 498.
8 Received interest on credit balance, R45.
9 Purchased 3 new office desks, on credit, from ABC Furnishers, R 14 030 each.
10 Nellie Fish paid her outstanding account in full
Paid entertainment costs of R5 400 using the business debit card. Ollie Upright
11
had entertained two VIP future clients.
12 Paid R 16 997 as rent for Ollie Upright’s private dwelling, via EFT.
State which account will be debited, and which account will be credited to
13 reflect the monies due to Business Bank Account from Trust Bank Account.
Indicate the amount to be transferred.
Trust Client Collins requested a refund to be paid into his banking account
14
reflecting the amount owing in his account.
EXERCISE EIGHT
The following balances appeared in the business books of Coetzee Attorneys at the
end of their first year of practice, 28 February 2022:
REQUIRED
1. Prepare the Statement of Profit and Loss for the year ended 28 February 2022.
3. Comment on the profit or loss for the year ended 28 February and suggest
measures to improve it.
EXERCISE NINE
1 Tazer deposited R350 000 in the current banking account of the practice, TT
Attorneys.
3 Negotiated a lease for an office and paid R21 500 via EFT: R10 000 being a
deposit and the remainder being the rent for March 2022.
6 Purchased office furniture and equipment on credit from Office Equip Ltd, R
103 385.
9 Rendered legal services to a new client, Joan Pillay, and charged her R10
235.
Returned damaged office furniture to Office Equip Ltd and received their credit
note for R22 770.
11 Purchased lunch for the staff, R545, paid with the business debit card.
15 Purchased stationery for office use, R2 645, paid with the business debit card.
23 Charged client Tracey Naidoo, R14 360 (exclusive VAT) for services
rendered.
25 Joan Pillay made a direct deposit into TT Attorneys’ current banking account
to settle her account.
Paid the full amount owing to Office Equip Ltd via electronic funds transfer.
REQUIRED
Record the above transactions in the following journals (total the journals):
1. Business Cash Receipts Journal for March 2022.
2. Business Cash Payments Journal for March 2022.
3. Fees Journal for March 2022.
4. General Journal for March 2022. Narrations ARE required.
5. Open, post to and balance the following ledger accounts:
Business Bank Account
Office Equip Ltd (Business Creditor)
Fees
Stationery
EXERCISE TEN
Lucy Lauren practises under the name of Lauren Attorneys. Lauren Attorneys is a
registered VAT Vendor and all amounts include VAT of 15%, where applicable, unless
otherwise indicated.
1 Lucy Lauren withdrew R20 000 from her capital contribution via EFT.
4 Paid R14 000 via EFT as rent for the office.
5 Completed divorce proceedings for Toby Taylor and accounted to him for
R32 890.
10 Purchased stationery on credit from ABC Stationers, R11 000 (excluding
VAT).
A new client, Romeo Ronaldo, makes a direct deposit of R40 000 for future
legal services.
13 Paid entertainment costs of R2 500 with the business debit card. This was for
a celebration dinner after a successful defence of a client.
17 Julie Jube’s attorney informs Lauren Attorneys that she is insolvent and
makes a direct deposit amounting to 45 cents in the rand to settle her debt.
The remaining debt must be written off.
Purchased a new computer for the secretary on credit from Office Equip Ltd,
R10 925.
24 Accounted to Romeo Ronaldo for legal services completed, R40 000
(excluding VAT).
REQUIRED
Record the above transactions in the following business journals (total the journals):
1. Business Cash Receipts Journal for June 2022.
2. Business Cash Payments Journal for June 2022.
3. Trust Cash Receipts Journal for June 2022.
4. Fees Journal for June 2022.
5. General Journal for June 2022. Narrations ARE required.
6. Transfer Journal for June 2022.
7. Open and post to and balance all the ledger accounts (both business
and trust accounts).
8. Prepare a business Trial Balance at 30 June 2022.
EXERCISE ELEVEN
Peter and Sons Attorneys in Law practice in Johannesburg. They are registered for
VAT and all amounts include VAT at 15%, where applicable, unless otherwise stated.
1 Paid ABC Furnishers the amount owing on 1st, using business debit card.
3 Received interest on credit balance (Bank Account) R139.
5 Paid R29 900 via EFT to Slate Agency for 2 advertisements due to be released
in April 2022.
7 Purchased refreshments for the staff, R350 and paid with business debit card.
8 Accounted to the following clients for services rendered:
Adam Adams R19 550
Jayson Jansen R27 600
12 Purchased office stationery from ABC Stationers and paid with business debit
card, R12 500 (exclusive VAT).
15 Paid via EFT for an annual insurance policy, R26 450.
20 Received cash from Joe Joseph in payment of his account.
25 Received R6 700 from Cindy Clark as a deposit for her future divorce.
26 Peter Senior withdrew R15 000 cash for his own use, using the business debit
card at the local ATM.
27 Sent Cindy Clark an account for R3 795 for services rendered.
28 Paid the salaries and wages via EFT, R45 000.
Purchased new books for the Law Library and paid via EFT, R14 950.
Paid R32 250 via EFT to ABC Rental company for new offices, R15 000 being
the deposit and the remained the rent for April 2022.
Paid R74 750 via EFT to ABC Movers to move the contents of the office to the
new premises.
31 Transferred monies due to Business Bank Account from Trust Bank Account.
REQUIRED
2. Post to and balance the general ledger accounts for both the business and trust
books.
3. Prepare a trial balance at at 31 March 2022 for the business ledger accounts.
EXERCISE TWELVE
Laidler Attorneys practice in Cape Town. They are registered for VAT and all amounts
include VAT at 15%, where applicable, unless otherwise stated.
1 Dawid Jones and Neville Naidu made payments of R15 000 and R40 000
respectively as deposits for future divorce proceedings.
2 Received a direct deposit from Juanita Jones to settle her account.
3 Paid Law Bookstore R50 000 on account, via EFT.
5 Accounted to the clients for services rendered:
Dawid Jones R11 500 (exclusive VAT).
Neville Naidu R41 975 (inclusive VAT).
7 Purchased refreshments for the staff, R1 250, paid with business debit card.
9 Received R15 000 and R25 000 from a new clients Kagiso Zulu and Siyanda
Bhengu, respectively, as deposits for future legal work to be completed.
12 Purchased new office furniture on credit from ABC Furnishers R16 675.
15 Paid via EFT for an annual insurance policy, R32 499.
16 Accounted to the clients for services rendered:
Kagiso Zulu R18 400.
Siyanda Bhengu R25 300.
17 Returned a table to ABC Furnishers as it was broken in delivery, received a
credit note from them for R5 175.
26 Joan Laidlaw withdrew R25 000 cash for her own use, using the business debit
card at the local ATM.
28 Paid the salaries and wages via EFT, R65 000.
Both Kagiso Zulu and Siyanda Bhengu paid the amounts owing via EFT to
settle their accounts.
Received an invoice from ABC Stationers for printing done, R6 500 (exclusive
VAT).
Paid the following via separate EFT’s:
Water and Electricity R5 290.
Telephone R3 795.
Rent R17 250.
The bank statement stated that Bank Charges for the month amounted to R391
and interest on overdraft R173.
Paid interest on loan for month of February at 12% per annum via EFT. Paid
R50 000, via EFT, off the capital portion of the loan.
Closed the VAT accounts to VAT control and paid SARS the amount owing via
EFT.
Transferred monies due to Business Bank Account from Trust Bank Account.
REQUIRED
EXERCISE THIRTEEN
The following balances appeared in the business books of Peppino Attorneys at the
financial year-end:
REQUIRED
1. Prepare the Statement of Profit and Loss for the year ended 31 March 2022.
EXERCISE FOURTEEN
14.1 Which two accounts in the Business General Ledger would be used to
record the purchase of a new computer in a law firm, paid for via EFT?
14.2 Jumping Attorneys issues a new client an invoice for work done, R55 200
(inclusive VAT). Calculate the Vat amount and indicate which Vat account
would be debited or credited?
14.4 Which of the following business general ledger accounts do not attract
VAT?
A Monies received as a deposit for future legal work to be done may be deposited
in the Business Bank Account until the work is completed.
B Monies in the Trust Bank Account may be borrowed by the attorney if he does
not have sufficient money in the Business Bank Account.
LEARNING UNIT 2
BANK RECONCILIATION
We will be using a business cashbook in this learning unit instead of separate cash
journals.
Please note the following difference between an attorney’s business banking account
as recorded in the Business books and the same account when recorded in THE
BANK’s books.
+ - - +
The same balance will appear in THE
If the business bank account has a debit
BANK’S books as a credit balance
balance indicating that it is an asset to
because the attorney’s bank account is
the business
a liability to THE BANK
And vice versa….. And vice versa…..
If the business bank accounts is An overdraft will have a debit balance in
overdrawn, it will have a credit balance THE BANKS books
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
SUPPLEMENTARY BUSINESS CASHBOOK for FEBRUARY 2022
Balance
1 xx xxx 28 Provisional Payments xx xxx
b/d
28 Provisional Receipts x xxx Contra A/c from BS x xxx
Contra A/c from BS xxx Contra A/c from BS x xxx
Balance
xx xxx
c/d
xxx xxx
xxx xxx
1 Balance b/d xx xxx
OR
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
SUPPLEMENTARY BUSINESS CASHBOOK for FEBUARY 2022
Provisional Bal
28 xx xxx 28 Contra A/c from BS x xxx
b/d
Contra A/c from BS xxx Contra A/c from BS x xxx
Contra A/c from BS xxx
Balance
xx xxx
c/d
xxx
xxx xxx
xxx
1 Balance b/d xx xxx
Please use the example of a Bank Reconciliation Statement as per the textbook
on page 105. Note it is imperative that you indicate clearly whether you are adding or
subtracting the amounts – Brackets indicate subtraction!
card fees
etc.
These fees are ALL posted to ONE ACCOUNT known as Bank Charges
EXERCISE FIFTEEN
The following information is taken from the books of Mtsila Attorneys for August and
September 2021:
Additional Information:
1. ABBA Bank recorded the correct amount for Debit card no.1034.
2. ABBA Bank debited Debit card no.1036 twice in error.
3. The deposit made by Business Client Chinook on 19 September was recorded
correctly on the Bank Statement on 21 September 2021.
On 19 September 2021 Business Client Spook was refunded his deposit via
4.
EFT
which he had made on the 12 September 2021 as it was agreed that he would
settle his account in full on 31 October 2021.
5. ABBA Bank incorrectly debited Debit card no. QPR999 to the business bank
account. The cheque was drawn by Msila Attorneys.
The direct deposit from Bluebook on 7 September 2021 was to settle his
6.
account.
7. The debit orders were for Security and Insurance respectively.
REQUIRED
EXERCISE SIXTEEN
A comparison of the business cashbook for February 2022 with the business
bank statement for February 2022 brought the following to light:
1. Items appearing on the business bank statement but not in the business
cashbook:
1.1 A direct deposit made by business client Z Mkhize for R3 148.
1.2 Bank Charges for the month R410.
1.3 Interest on Bank Overdraft R180.
1.4 A debit card entry to the amount of R380, incorrectly debited to NTM
Attorneys in Law’s bank account.
1.5 A stop order of R325 for the monthly insurance premium and a debit order of
R898 for payment of the telephone account.
1.6 Correction of the error that appeared on the previous business bank
reconciliation.
1.7 It was also found that Debit card no. 785 (for purchases of stationery)
appeared in the business cashbook as R2 163 which it appeared on the
business bank statement as R2 136, which is the correct amount.
2. Items appearing in the business cashbook but not on the business bank
statement:
The favourable balance as per the Business Bank Statement as at 28 February 2022
was R6 876.
REQUIRED
EXERCISE SEVENTEEN
The following items, amongst others, appeared on the Bank Reconciliation Statement
on 30 April 2022:
Debit Card No. 8322, drawn by Attorney S Singh on his personal bank account for R2
861, was debited by the Bank to the business bank account in error.
4. A deposit of R8 261 (cash received for cash services rendered - fees) correctly
reflected on the business bank statement, had been entered in the business
cashbook as R8 621.
5. An amount of R11 721 was deposited by Super Attorneys on 31 May 2022 but
did not reflect on the business bank statement.
6. The provisional balance in the business cashbook as at 31 May 2022 was a
negative R18 778.
7. The Business Bank Statement for May 2022 reflected a closing debit balance
of R34 324.
REQUIRED
EXERCISE EIGHTEEN
The information given below was extracted from the accounting records of TB
Attorneys and Daughter on 31 January 2022.
The following information was ascertained when the bank reconciliation process was
undertaken:
1. The deposit for R1 340 appeared on the January 2022 Bank Statement.
2. Debit Card No. 767 appeared on the Bank Statement as R360, while it was
recorded as R630 in the cash payments. The amount on the Bank Statement
was the correct amount. It had been a payment to New Age Advertisements Ltd
for an advertisement placed in its local newspaper.
3. The following charges were on the Bank Statement:
4. Debit Card No. 781 in favour of Modern Cars for repairs appeared correctly on
the Bank Statement as R153. It had been recorded in the cash payments as
R135.
5. A deposit made on the 29 January 2022 did not appear on the Bank Statement,
R3 900.
6. A deposit for R10 200 appeared on the Bank Statement but not in the journal.
It was made by TT Bank in respect of a fixed deposit of R10 000 which had
matured plus the interest for the last two months.
7. The Bank Statement reflected one stop order in favour of OO Insurers for R510
which was for the owner of TB Attorneys daughter’s own motor car.
8. The Bank Statement showed an unfavourable balance of R13 445 on 31
January 2022.
REQUIRED
EXERCISE NINETEEN
1. Debit Card No. 786, dated 15 March 2022, was recorded in the Cashbook as
R12 550 and on the bank statement as R15 220. The amount in the
Cashbook is correct.
2. A deposit of R14 500 made by Dlamini Attorneys on 29 March 2022 does not
appear on the bank statement.
3. On 25 March 2022 a business client, Octavia Rush, made an EFT payment
directly into the current bank account, R12 000. This deposit does not appear
in the Cashbook.
4. Debit Card No. 888, dated 28 March 2022, for R5 000, had been recorded by
the BANK in Dlamini Attorneys Trust bank statement, in error. It was a payment
for stationery purchased for the office.
5. A stop order to ABC Rental Company for R11 600 appeared on the bank
statement but not in the Cashbook.
4. On 31 March 2022 on the Bank Statement revealed a positive R13 690
balance.
REQUIRED
EXERCISE TWENTY
A comparison with the bank statement and the cashbook for June 2022 reveals that:
4. A direct deposit made by a business client Rory Malcom, R35 000 was recorded
by the attorneys in the trust cashbook instead of the business cashbook. The
amount reflects correctly on the business bank statement.
5. A debit card payment for R12 360 drawn on the trust banking account appears
on the business bank statement.
6. A debit card payment R4 050 drawn on the business banking account does not
appear on the business bank statement but rather on the trust bank statement.
7. Insurance and motor lease stop orders of R10 000 and R12 000 respectively
have not been entered into the cashbook.
8. A deposit of R90 000 made to the trust banking accounts has been incorrectly
reflected on the business bank statement.
REQUIRED
LEARNING UNIT 3
TRUST INVESTMENTS
EXERCISE TWENTY-ONE
1 As an amount of R150 000 in the Trust Bank account will not be required for the
next two months, Emoji Attorneys decides to invest R150 000 in a special
interest-bearing investment account with ABBA Bank for 1 month at an interest
rate of 7.5% in terms of section 86(3).
31 The investment matures and an amount R150 938 with withdrawn and deposited
into the Trust Bank account.
REQUIRED
1. Record the necessary transactions in the Trust Cashbook and Trust General
Journal for May 2022.
EXERCISE TWENTY-TWO
1 A new trust client Zacharia deposits R550 000 into the Trust Bank account of
Zorba Attorneys. This is a deposit for a property which Zacharia is to purchase.
The transfer of which is due in 3 months’ time. Zacharia instructs Zorba Attorneys
to invest R500 000 in a special interest-bearing investment account with ABBA
Bank for the 3 months at an interest rate of 9% in terms of section 86(4).
31 The investment with ABBA Bank matures and an amount R511 250 with
withdrawn and deposited into the Trust Bank account.
REQUIRED
1. Record the necessary transactions in the Trust Cashbook and Trust General
Journal for March to May 2022.
EXERCISE TWENTY-THREE
1 A new client Dlamini deposits R260 000 in Mopani Attorneys Trust Account as a
deposit for future legal work. Dlamini authorises Mopani Attorneys to invest his
deposit in a special interest-bearing savings account with COOL Bank for
2 months. The investment will earn 6.5% interest per annum.
On the same day Mopani Attorneys decides to invest R1 000 000 of the trust
money in a special interest-bearing investment account with ABBA Bank for
1 month at an interest rate of 9% per annum.
28 The investment account with ABBA Bank matures and an amount of R1 000 000
plus interest is transferred by ABBA Bank to the Mopani Attorneys Trust Bank
account.
31 The investment for Dlamini, in the special interest-bearing savings account with
COOL Bank matures and the capital plus interest is transferred directly to Mopani
Attorneys Trust Bank account.
REQUIRED
1. Record the necessary transactions in the Trust Cashbook and Trust General
Journals for February to March 2022.
EXERCISE TWENTY-FOUR
1 Edgewood Attorneys concludes that monies in the Trust Bank will not be required
until June 2022 and so invests R1 250 000 of the trust money in a special
interest-bearing investment account with ABBA Bank for 3 months at an interest
rate of 7% per annum.
8 Receive a deposit of R250 000 from Denzil Colarado for the preparation of
contracts regarding the registration of companies.
9 Colarado informs Edgewood Attorneys that he will not require your services for
another 4 months and instructs you to invest all his trust money in an interest-
bearing investment account with LOST Bank at an interest rate of 6% per annum.
Edgewood Attorneys comply with his instructions immediately.
31 The investment account with ABBA Bank matures and an amount invested plus
interest is transferred by ABBA Bank to the Edgewood Attorneys Trust Bank
account.
9 The investment for Dlamini, in the special interest-bearing savings account with
LOST Bank matures and the capital plus interest is transferred directly to
Edgewood Attorneys Trust Bank account.
30 Edgewood Attorneys pays the Fidelity Fund the amount owing via EFT.
REQUIRED
1. Record the necessary transactions in the Trust Cashbook and Trust General
Journals for March to June 2022.
LEARNING UNIT 4
Correspondent Accounts
The word correspondent refers to a person who corresponds via letter and in
today’s world via email.
In the legal world, attorneys are only allowed to work in a certain jurisdiction. If
an attorney has a client who wishes for work to be completed in another
jurisdiction, the attorney will request or instruct a correspondent in the other
jurisdiction to complete the work on his/her client’s behalf.
Ensure that you understand the concepts of the one-third allowance and the
collection commission (see your textbook pages 232/3), as well as the difference
between fees charged and disbursements (see your textbook page 234).
The drawing up of the correspondent account statement will not form part of the
syllabus for this module.
STEP ONE
STEP TWO
DR Fees Account
CR Instructing Attorney’s Business Account
STEP THREE
NOTE the Instructing Attorney will have to pay the Instructed Attorney the
amount owing which he will recover from his/her client i.e. the person who
requested the legal work to be completed.
STEP FOUR
EXERCISE TWENTY-FIVE
WT ATTORNEYS
PO BOX 496
CAPE TOWN
8000
ABC Attorneys
PO Box 2333
JOHANNESBURG
2000
R R
Registration of WW Company (Pty) Ltd
Fees 4 360
Correspondence 80
Fees for registration of company 450
Your ⅓ allowance 1 630
Amount due 3 260
REQUIRED
STEP ONE
STEP TWO
STEP THREE
NOTE the Business Client A (Debtor) now owes the Instructing Attorney
money.
STEP FOUR
EXERCISE TWENTY-SIX
ABC Attorneys who practise in Johannesburg appoint Cape Town attorneys, appoints
WT Attorneys to register a company for a client, William Williams. The company will
be registered as WW Company (Pty) Ltd.
WT ATTORNEYS
PO BOX 496
CAPE TOWN
8000
ABC Attorneys
PO Box 2333
JOHANNESBURG
2000
R R
Registration of WW Company (Pty) Ltd
Fees 4 360
Correspondence 80
Fees for registration of company 450
Your ⅓ allowance 1 630
Amount due 3 260
REQUIRED
STEP ONE
STEP TWO
STEP THREE
DR Fees Account
CR Instructing Attorney’s Business Account
STEP FOUR
STEP FIVE
STEP SIX
and
EXERCISE TWENTY-SEVEN
Golden Attorneys who practise in Durban appoint Sweet Attorneys who practise in
Pietermaritzburg to collect R50 000 for a client, Lucille Grace from Sally Charm.
SWEET ATTORNEYS
PO BOX 181
PIETERMARITZBURG
3200
Golden Attorneys
PO Box 2311
DURBAN
4000
R R
L Grace vs S Charm
Collection 50 000
Collection Commission 5 000
Fees for receiving instruction 490
Your ⅓ allowance 1 830
Amount deposited via EFT 46 340
51 830 51 830
REQUIRED
1. Prepare the following ledger accounts in the trust and business books of
instructed attorney Sweet Attorneys:
Trust Bank
Instructing Attorney Trust Account
Business Bank
Instructing Attorney Business Account
Fees
STEP ONE
STEP TWO
STEP THREE
Enter the fees levied and disbursements incurred by the instructed attorney
STEP FOUR
STEP FIVE
STEP SIX
and
EXERCISE TWENTY-EIGHT
Golden Attorneys who practise in Durban appoint Sweet Attorneys who practise in
Pietermaritzburg to collect R50 000 for a client, Lucille Grace from Sally Charm.
SWEET ATTORNEYS
PO BOX 181
PIETERMARITZBURG
3200
Golden Attorneys
PO Box 2311
DURBAN
4000
R R
L Grace vs S Charm
Collection 50 000
Collection Commission 5 000
Fees for receiving instruction 490
Your ⅓ allowance 1 830
Amount deposited via EFT 46 340
51 830 51 830
REQUIRED
1. Prepare the following ledger accounts in the trust and business books of
instructing attorney Golden Attorneys:
Trust Bank
Instructed Attorney Trust Account
Trust Client Lucille Grace (Creditor)
Business Bank
Instructed Attorney Business Account
Fees
EXERCISE TWENTY-NINE
Subject Attorneys, practising in Port Elizabeth appoint Active Attorneys who practise
in Durban to collect unpaid maintenance on behalf of Subject Attorneys client,
Nadia Naidoo. The following statement was received from Active Attorneys on
31 March 2022.
ACTIVE ATTORNEYS
R R
Nadia Naidoo vs Neville Naidoo
Collection 20 000
Collection Commission 2 000
Sheriff Costs 500
Fees – Summons 1 000
Correspondence 300
Your ⅓ allowance 1 100
Amount deposited via EFT 17 300
21 100 21 100
REQUIRED
2. Prepare the necessary ledger accounts in the books of the instructed attorney.
EXERCISE THIRTY
Your client, Dali Sabango has requested that a corporate lease agreement is drawn
up for his office in Pretoria. You instruct Easter Attorneys, practising in Pretoria to deal
with this matter. The following statement was received from Easter Attorneys on
31 March 2022.
EASTER ATTORNEYS
TO: Abdullah Attorneys in Law
R R
Services Rendered 2 520
Correspondence 45
Preparation of Lease Agreement 1 200
Your ⅓ allowance 1 255
Amount due 2 510
3 765 3 765
REQUIRED
2. Prepare the necessary ledger accounts in the books of the instructed attorney,
including the settlement of any monies outstanding.
EXERCISE THIRTY-ONE
PARTNER ATTORNEYS
TO: Hibiscus Attorneys
Clinton Clayton vs Ali Ameer
Monies collected 5 200
Sheriff costs 75
Fees for instruction 850
Fees for preparing summons 350
Correspondence 80
10% collection commission 520
Vat at 15% 270
Your ⅓ allowance 600
Vat at 15% 90
Clinton Clayton vs Sally September
Monies collected 1 750
Sheriff costs 45
Fees for instruction 430
Fees for preparing summons 150
Correspondence 65
10% collection commission 175
Vat at 15% 123
Your ⅓ allowance 273
Vat at 15% 41
Amount deposited via EFT 4 821
7 954 7 954
REQUIRED
2. Prepare the necessary ledger accounts in the books of the instructed attorney,
including the settlement of any monies outstanding.
EXERCISE THIRTY-TWO
You have been instructed by a Port Elizabeth firm of attorneys, Blue Attorney in respect
of a collection matter as well as registration of three different companies. You send the
following statement to from Blue Attorneys on 31 March 2022.
Both attorneys are VAT vendors and all amounts, where necessary, include 15%
VAT, unless otherwise stated.
REQUIRED
2. Prepare the necessary ledger accounts in the books of the instructed attorney,
including the settlement of any monies outstanding.
EXERCISE THIRTY-THREE
You receive the following statement of account on 31 January 2022, from your
correspondent, Joyful Attorneys, in respect of matters handled on your instructions.
Your mandate from your client, Sashen Saigal, is that you may set off the costs of
divorce against money collected from the debtor, Zaid Zaveri
JOYFUL ATTORNEYS
TO: Constantia Attorneys
R R
S Saigal vs Z Zaveri
Monies collected 12 400
Sheriff costs 145
Fees for instruction 1 600 533
Fees for preparing summons 400 134
Correspondence 80 27
10% collection commission 1 240 413
Vat at 15% 498 166
Saigal Divorce
Fees for receiving instructions 600 200
Sheriff costs 45
Advocate costs in divorce case 480
Vat at 15% 90 30
Amount deposited via EFT 8 725
13 903 13 903
REQUIRED
2. Prepare the necessary ledger accounts (including VAT) in the books of the
instructed attorney, including the settlement of any monies outstanding.
LEARNING UNIT 5
Conveyancing Transactions
Ensure that you understand the types of conveyancing attorneys and the
conveyancing process as explained in your textbook (pages 261/2). Ensure that
you understand the following terms relating to the conveyancing process:
Transfer duty
VAT relating to transfer duty
Calculation of transfer duty
Deeds Office
Seller
Purchaser
Offer to purchase
Agreement of Sale
Mortgage Loan
Bank guarantee
Pro-forma invoice
Transfer costs
Estate agent commission
Registration of transfer
Rates clearance
Legal owner
Conveyancing fees
Calculation of fees
Account to
IN TRUST BOOKS
All monies collected from Purchaser – usually deposit and costs as per pro-
forma invoice
DR Trust Bank
CR Purchaser’s Trust Account
Pay Seller
DR Seller’s Trust account (Seller’s money)
CR Trust Bank
In transfer journal
And
EXERCISE THIRTY-FOUR
Lethabo Nkosi instructed the conveyancers to draft the agreement of sale which
contains the following provisions:
• The purchase price of R3 100 000 will be paid by the way of a deposit of 10% of
the total purchase price.
• The balance of the purchase price will be covered by a mortgage bond on behalf
of Precious Molefe (the purchaser) and will be paid on the date of registration of
transfer.
• The costs of the registration of transfer should be paid by Precious Molefe (the
purchaser). The estate agent fees should be paid by Lethabo Nkosi (the seller).
5 Precious Molefe requests that the money be invested. You execute the
instruction and invest the deposit money in an investment account with ABBA
Bank.
10 Receive a bank guarantee from DEEP Bank for 90% of the purchase price and
the estate agent submits a pro-forma invoice of R124 000.
14 The conveyancers submit their pro-forma invoice to Precious Molefe for the
costs of transfer of R224 000 which include transfer duty.
Jelani Attorneys and Conveyancers accounts to both the seller, Lethabo Nkosi
and the purchaser, Precious Molefe.
REQUIRED
Prepare the necessary ledger accounts in the trust and business books of Jelani
Attorneys and Conveyancers:
Trust Bank
Purchaser Trust account
Seller Trust account
Molefe Section 86(4) trust investment account: ABBA Bank
Fidelity Fund
Business Bank
Purchaser Business account
Fees
EXERCISE THIRTY-FIVE
Top Notch Attorneys and Conveyancers are appointed as the conveyancer in the
agreement of purchase and sale of immovable property by the seller, Jack Jones and
the purchaser, Sally Snowball. Jack Jones instructed the conveyancers to draft the
agreement of sale which contains the following provisions:
• The purchase price of R2 150 000 will be paid by the way of a deposit of 15% of
the total purchase price.
• The balance of the purchase price will be covered by a mortgage bond on behalf
of Sally Snowball (the purchaser) and will be paid on the date of registration of
transfer.
• The costs of the registration of transfer should be paid by Sally Snowball (the
purchaser). The estate agent fees, and rates clearance certificate will be paid by
Jack Jones (the seller).
3 Sally Snowball pays the deposit via EFT and instructs Top Notch Attorneys and
Conveyancers to invest the deposit money in a 32day interest-bearing
investment account with ABBA Bank. Top Notch Attorneys and Conveyancers
follow the instruction the next day.
12 Receive a bank guarantee from DEEP Bank for 85% of the purchase price.
15 The conveyancers submit their pro-forma invoice to Sally Snowball for the
costs of transfer of R127 500 which include transfer duty.
20 The conveyancers pay the transfer duties to SARS and R5 000 for the rates
clearance certificate to the local authority.
REQUIRED
Prepare the necessary ledger accounts in the trust and business books of Top Notch
Attorneys and Conveyancers:
Trust Bank
Purchaser Trust account
Seller Trust account
Snowball Section 86(4) trust investment account: ABBA Bank
Fidelity Fund
Business Bank
Purchaser Business account
Fees
EXERCISE THIRTY-SIX
You work at Redieski Attorneys and Conveyancers who are appointed as the
conveyancer in the agreement of purchase and sale of immovable property by the
seller, Rory Pillay and the purchaser, Tamara Naidoo.
Rory Pillay instructs you to draft the agreement of sale which contains the following
provisions:
• The purchase price of R2 315 000 will be paid by the way of a deposit of
R231 500 of the total purchase price.
• The balance of the purchase price will be covered by a mortgage bond on behalf
of Tamara Naidoo (the purchaser) and will be paid on the date of registration of
transfer.
• The costs of the registration of transfer should be paid by Tamara Naidoo (the
purchaser). The estate agent fees will be paid by Rory Pillay (the seller).
17 The estate agent submits a pro-forma invoice totalling R173 625 and you submit
a pro-forma invoice to the purchaser for the costs of transfer consisting of transfer
duty and fees of R47 000.
30 The transfer is registered, and your account to both the seller and the purchaser.
REQUIRED
Prepare ALL the necessary ledger accounts in the trust and business books of
Redieski Attorneys and Conveyancers.
EXERCISE THIRTY-SEVEN
Berry Loxley instructs you to draft the agreement of sale which contains the following
provisions:
• The purchase price of R1 500 000 will be paid by the way of a deposit of 10% of
the total purchase price and the balance of the purchase price will be covered by
a mortgage bond on behalf of Linda Madras (the purchaser) to be paid by ALLO
Bank on registration.
• Berry Loxley (the seller) is responsible for estate agent fees and payment of
existing bond of R550 000 while Linda Madras (the purchaser) is responsible for
the bond cost, transfer fees and the conveyancer fees
2 Linda Madras pays a deposit with a direct deposit. The deposit is much larger
than expected as the purchaser has won the lotto. The deposit amounts to
R1 000 000. Linda Madras gives instruction to transfer this money to a relevant
investment account with ABBA Bank until transfer. Dlamini Attorneys and
Conveyancers oblige.
3 ALLO Bank sends a guarantee for the remainder of the purchase price.
The estate agents forward her pro-forma invoice for R90 000 and the
conveyancer forwards his pro-forma to the purchaser, covering Transfer fees,
R25 500, bond costs, R5 000 and conveyancing fees of R89 000.
15 The purchaser pays the amount owing according to the pro-forma via EFT.
REQUIRED
Prepare ALL the necessary ledger accounts in the trust and business books of
Dlamini Attorneys and Conveyancers.
CONSOLIDATION EXERCISE
EXERCISE THIRTY-EIGHT
Joe Soap starts practising as an attorney on 1 March 2022. The following transactions
took place during March and April 2022 in the books of SOAP ATTORNEYS.
TRANSACTIONS
MARCH 2022
Ms Reddy pays Soap Attorneys R50 000 as a deposit towards her divorce
3
proceedings.
Mr Essop pays Soap Attorneys R845 000 via EFT as a deposit and
8 disbursements/fees for a house he is in the process of purchasing which has
a purchase price of R3 200 000 from Ms Collect.
The Bank guarantees R2 400 000 for Mr Essop’s house.
Mrs Peens pays Soap Attorneys an amount of R1 045 000. She wishes to
10
purchase a house in April 2022.
12 Ms Fraser pays R5 000 for a consultation which will take place on 16 March.
Soap Attorneys sends Mr Essop a proforma invoice for R45 000 which is
15 made up of fees and costs. Soap Attorneys pays the transfer costs R25 000
and R10 000 bond costs on Mr Essop’s behalf.
Mrs Peens instructs Soap Attorneys to invest R1 000 000 of her money in
ABBA Bank as per Section 86(4) of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014. The
interest earned on the investment is calculated at 10% per annum.
Mr Selzer wishes you to proceed with collecting R60 000 from Ms Gardner.
As Ms Gardner lives in Cape Town, Soap Attorneys appoint Brush Attorneys
in Cape Town to deal with the matter.
Ms Fraser’s consultation takes place and Soap Attorneys bills her
16
appropriately.
Ms Reddy’s divorce proceedings are complete and Soap Attorneys account
20
to her for R65 000.
31 Transfer necessary monies from Trust Bank to Business Bank.
APRIL 2022
Brush Attorneys sends Soap Attorneys the following statement:
Cash Collected R60 000
Summons Fee R15 000
1 Revenue Stamps R 500
Collection Commission R 500
Your third allowance R 5 000
EFT made R49 000
8 The bond and transfer re Mr Essop’s purchase of a house are registered.
Mrs Reddy paid the amount owing via EFT.
Mrs Peens does not purchase a house and asks for her money and interest
15 due to be paid back to herself. The necessary money is paid directly to the
Fidelity Fund.
30 Transfer necessary monies from Trust Bank to Business Bank.
REQUIRED
Record the transactions above in Soap Attorney’s Trust and Business General
Ledgers. Balance correctly. IGNORE VAT.