Sinking Fund

Definition: Sinking fund refers to a specific reserve fund, in which money is earmarked and accumulated over time, for the purpose of redemption of debt, bond, and also for the replacement of a wasting asset. It is obligatory to invest these funds outside the business because when the maturity of the underlying debt becomes due, funds can be availed easily by selling the investment, and no effect is shown on the company’s working capital.

While making an investment into securities, three things are basically considered:

• Safety of funds
• Regularity of Income
• Liquidity of Funds

The amount of installment which is invested is calculated using Annuity Table.

It aims is to make available the ready cash for the repayment of liability. Further, how much money is to be invested is dependent on the following factors:

1. Amount needed at the time of maturity.
2. Period of maturity
3. Interest rate

It is usually advisable to invest such funds in government securities (guilt-edged securities), carrying a fixed interest rate. Interest earned thereon is further invested in securities. The objective of this investment is that when the debt gets matured or the life of the asset expires, investments are sold and the proceeds are used to repay the debt or replace the asset.

It is an accumulation of earnings, in which an amount is added either as a fixed percentage of outstanding debt or a fixed percentage of profit. The term ‘sinking‘ is used to mean the dropping level of debt, left out as it gets paid off, whereas the term ‘fund‘ represents the amount invested in outside securities.

Companies that raise money by issuing debt instruments like debentures or bonds, need to pay off the debt or buy back the issued instruments when the maturity date is reached. With the help of a sinking fund, the large outflow of funds can be managed easily. Hence, a sinking fund is created so that the company can contribute to the fund every year and use them at the time of need.

Types of Sinking Fund

Based on the treatment of interest

• Cumulative Sinking Fund: Sinking Fund maintained on a cumulative basis is called a cumulative sinking fund. A fixed amount is set aside every year from profits and then they are invested in securities and interest received on such investments is invested again.
• Non-Cumulative Sinking Fund: In this type of fund, the interest on the investment does not accumulate in the fund, i.e. there is no reinvestment of securities and only installments are invested.

Based on Usage

• Sinking fund to replace fixed asset: Till the loan is repaid, the amount is an appropriation of profit and so the profit and loss appropriation account is debited. On the repayment of liability, the balance available in the sinking fund account is taken to the general reserve.
• Sinking fund to repay long-term liability: The fund is a charge against profit in the form of depreciation and the profit and loss account is debited. On the replacement of an asset with a new machine, the balance available in the sinking fund account is taken to the old asset account, so as to write off the asset.

Accounting Treatment of Sinking Fund

The Sinking Fund account appears on the liabilities side of the balance sheet, whereas the amount invested in securities is displayed on the asset side of the balance sheet. Sinking fund investment is the replacement of liquid assets, and sinking fund is the replacement of profit.

It is to be noted that after the issue is made, the annual contribution to the fund consists of a profit and loss appropriation account and the total amount is invested in marketable securities, at the end of the first year. Further, at the end of the second year, interest is received at a certain rate on the investments made.

So, the annual contribution along with the interest received is reinvested in securities and the process continues year by year. In the last year, the interest and the annual contribution is earmarked towards the sinking fund and all the existing investments are sold, for cash.

Further, if there is any loss or profit on the sale of investments that will be debited and credited to the fund. In this way, the sale of investments enables the redemption of debentures. And once the debentures are redeemed, the sinking fund is of no use. Hence, the fund is closed and the remaining balance is taken to general reserve.

Journal Entries for Sinking Fund

The journal entries for the sinking fund are as under:

 

A word from Business Jargons

The sinking fund is a fund designed and set up with the purpose of repayment of debt. It is created out of profits every year and the amount is invested in marketable securities. The company appropriates a fixed amount on a regular basis and uses the same for the specific purpose.