Accommodation Bills of Exchange:

Learning Objectives:

1. Define and explain an accommodation bill of exchange.

2. What is the difference between trade bill and an accommodation bill?

3. Make journal entries in the books of drawer and acceptor when accommodation bills are used.

Definition and Explanation of an accommodation bill:

An accommodation bill of exchange is a bill of exchange which has been drawn for the mutual financial accommodation of the parties involved. Generally it is drawn not for value received. In order to oblige friends, many times bills are drawn, accepted and endorsed by businessmen without any consideration. By accepting such a bill the acceptor is able to lend his name, and the other party (drawer) taking advantages of the reputation of the acceptor gets it discounted with his bank. After meeting his aim with this temporary finance, he (drawer) sends back money to the acceptor thus making it possible for him to meet the bill on the due date. Since such bills are accepted without consideration, therefore, there is no liability of the acceptor to the drawer but since the third party takes such a bill for value, therefore, the acceptor is liable to the third party.

Difference Between Trade Bill and Accommodation Bill:

Following is the distinction between a trade bill of exchange and an accommodation bill of exchange.

The bookkeeping entries in connection with accommodation bills are made in the same way as for genuine bills. Generally there are three methods of raising money on accommodation bills. They are as under:

1. When accommodation bill is written for the accommodation of the drawer.

2. When accommodation bill is written for the mutual accommodation of the drawer and the drawee.

3. When the drawer and the drawee write accommodation bills on each other.

All these bills have been discussed below:

Accommodation of the drawer:

When a bill is written for the accommodation of the drawer then the drawee of the bill accepts the bill without any consideration and returns the bill to the drawer. The drawer gets the bill discounted with his bank and uses the amount in his business. On the due date he remits the amount to the acceptor or the bill to enable him to honour the bill on the due date.

Example (Accommodation of the Drawer):

A accepts a bill drawn by B for his accommodation on 1st January, 1991 for $500 at 3 months. The bill is discounted $ 490 on 4th January. On due date B sends a cheque to A to meet the bill. A duly honours his acceptance.

Pass journal entries in the books of both the parties.

Solution:

Accommodation of the Drawer and the Drawee:

When a bill is drawn by one party for the mutual accommodation then the drawee after accepting the bill returns to the drawer. The drawer gets the bill discounted with his banker and after retaining the agreed portion of the proceeds of the bill remits rest of the proceeds to the acceptor of the bill. On the date of maturity the drawer of the bill remits rest to the acceptor the amount retained by him earlier to enable the acceptor to honour the bill. The expenses of discount are shared by the parties.

Example (Accommodation of the Drawer and the Drawee):

For mutual convenience of  X and Y, X draws a bill for $1,000 on Y at three months on 1at January, 1991. The bill is discounted on 4th January by X at 6 per cent per annum with his bank: half the proceeds being handed over to Y. On the bill falling due date, X remits $500 by cheque to Y who then pays the bill.

Pass journal entries in the books of X and Y.

Solution:

Accommodation Bills Written on Each Other:

In this case both the parties draw bills on each other and get them discounted from their bankers. On the due date each meets his own bill. The expenses of discount is to be paid by each on other’s bill.

Example (Accommodation bills written on Each Other):

On 1st January 1991 P draws a bill on Q at four months for $500 and Q draws on P for similar amount and term. Both the bills are accepted and discounted respectively at 6 per cent. At maturity both the parties meet their respectively acceptances. Show the journal entries in the books of both the parties.

Solution:

You may also be interested in other articles from “accounting for bills of exchange page” chapter:

1. Definition and Explanation of Bill of Exchange
2. Advantages of a Bills of Exchange
3. How a Bill of Exchange Functions
4. Promissory Note
5. Difference between Bill of Exchange and Promissory Note
6. Difference Between Bill of Exchange and Cheque/Check
7. Recording Transactions of Bill of Exchange
8. Drawing, Acceptance, and Payment of Bill of Exchange
9. Discounting of Bill of Exchange
10. Bills of Exchange for Collection
11. Endorsement of a Bill of Exchange
12. Dishonour of a Bill of Exchange
13. Renewal of a Bill of Exchange
14. Retiring of a Bill of Exchange
15. Accommodation Bill of Exchange
16. Insolvency of the Acceptor in a Bill of Exchange

Other Related Accounting Articles:

• Discounting a Bill of Exchange
• Endorsement of Bill of Exchange
• Retiring of a Bill of Exchange
• Drawing, Acceptance, and Payment of Bills of Exchange
• Renewal of a Bill of Exchange
• Dishonour of a Bill of Exchange
• Recording Transactions of Bill of Exchange
• Insolvency of Acceptor in Bills of Exchange
• Bill of Exchange for Collection
• Difference Between Bill of Exchange and Cheque/Check