chapter 14 part 2 dividends Flashcards
what is the definition of a dividend
a distribution of earnings to shareholders in the form of assets or shares
- typically credit the account that represents the item distributed (cash, non-cash asset, or share capital) and debit to retained earnings
under the Canada business corporations act, a liquidity test must also be met
- dividends may not be declared or paid if corporation:
a. became unable to meet its liabilities as they came due,
b. or if the dividend resulted in the realizable value of assets being less than liabilities plus stated capital
dividends may not be paid from
legal capital (usually represented in share capital accounts) without permission form creditors
what is the declaration date
the date the corporation’s board of directors formally announces the dividend declaration
- Dividends recorded as payable in accounting records
what is the record date
the date on which the list of shareholders of record is prepared
- individuals holding shares at this date, receive the dividend, regardless of sales or purchases of shares after this date
what is ex-dividend date
the day following the date of record
what is payment date
the actual day of the payment of the dividend
- the date of payment typically follows the declaration date by four to 6 weeks
- dividends recorded as paid in accounting records
What is cumulative preferred shares
provide that dividends not declared in a given year accumulate at the specified rate
- accumulated amount must be paid in full if an when dividends are declared in a later year before any dividends can be paid on the common
- dividends in arrears when not declared in a year
- disclose dividends in arrears for cumulative preference shares
what are participating preferred shares
provide that the preferred shareholders participate above the stated preferential rate on a pro rated basis in dividned declarations with the common shareholders
- preferred shareholders receive their preference rate
- common shareholders receives a specified matching dividend
- if the total declared dividend is larger than these two amounts, the excess is divided on a pro rated basis between the two share classes
- pro rata based on number of shares or total capital balances
what are partially participating
participating is capped at a certain level for the preferred shares
what is fully participating shares
share in full extent with no limit
what are property dividends
when a corporation pays dividends with non-cash assets
- also called dividends in kind
how are property dividends recorded
at fair value of the assets distributed
- corporations recognize a gain or a loss on disposal of the assets as of the declaration date
what are the journal entries for property dividends on date of declaration
a, to record revaluation or the property
DR investment in equity securities
CR gain on disposal of security investment
b, to record the dividend
DR retained earnings
CR property dividend payable
c. at the distribution date
DR property dividend payable
CR investment in equity security
what could payment of a dividend with non cash asset may be
- investments in the securities of other companies held by the corporation
- real estate
- merchandise
- other non-cash assets designated by BOD
When does liquidating dividends occur
when the dividend is paid out of equity other than retained earnings
- need to inform shareholders of the portion of any dividend that represents a return of capital
how do you account for liquidating a dividend
the DR might go to retained earnings, and share capital might be DR
when do script dividends arise
when a corporation declares dividends and issues promissory notes (script dividends) to the shareholders
script dividends are also called
a liability dividend
what are stock dividends
entail a proportional distribution to shareholders of additional common or preferred shares of the corporation.
- they increase the number of shares outstanding but have no effect on total shareholders’ equity
reasons for issuing stock dividends
add
what are some accounting issues related to stock dividends
- the value that should be recognized
- the shares issued could for the dividend could be recorded at fair value, stated (or par value) or some other value
what are the 3 alternatives for recording stock dividends
- Fair value method
- stated value method
- memo entry