06 July 2024
The dividend paid mentioned in the Profit and Loss (P&L) account appropriations typically refers to the dividend paid for the current financial year, not the previous year. Here’s how it generally works:
1. **Current Year’s Dividend:** - When a company declares and pays dividends during the current financial year, the amount paid to shareholders is recorded in the appropriations section of the P&L account for that specific year. - This dividend payment is part of the appropriation of profits or retained earnings for the current year and reflects the company’s decision to distribute profits to its shareholders.
2. **Previous Year’s Dividends:** - Dividends paid in previous financial years would not be part of the current year’s appropriations unless there are specific adjustments or corrections being made. - Such adjustments, if any, would typically be reflected in the notes to the financial statements or in the comparative figures presented in the P&L account or the Statement of Changes in Equity.
3. **Reporting and Disclosure:** - Companies are required to disclose the details of dividends paid, including the amount and the financial year to which it pertains, in their financial statements. - This ensures transparency and clarity regarding the distribution of profits to shareholders and helps stakeholders understand the financial performance and dividend policy of the company.
Therefore, the dividend paid mentioned in the P&L account appropriations section should relate to the dividends paid out during the current financial year, reflecting the company’s distribution of profits for that period.
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