Edexcel IGCSE Accounting: Trial balance and control accounts (4AC1) – Practice Questions

These are original questions written for Marlbridge, for revision and practice on this content. They are not reproduced past-paper questions, and they do not replicate the exam’s exact structure, question count or mark tariffs – examination boards hold copyright in their own papers. Use these alongside the official past papers from your board or school.

These questions cover sections 3.1 Trial balance and 3.2 Control accounts of Topic 3, Introduction to control processes, in the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Accounting (4AC1) specification, Issue 1, October 2016. All amounts are in dollars and all businesses are invented.

Links: 4AC1 Accounting course hub, printable 4AC1 checklist, study guide, revision notes and free diagnostics.

Questions

1. Explain two purposes of a trial balance. [4]

2. State whether each of the following balances in a trial balance is a debit or a credit. [6]

(i) Returns inwards; (ii) discount received; (iii) bank overdraft; (iv) carriage outwards; (v) capital; (vi) drawings.

3. The ledger balances of Sallow Row Books at 30 November 2026 are: land and buildings 64,000; fixtures 9,500; inventory at 1 December 2025 5,400; purchases 38,900; returns inwards 1,150; wages 11,200; heating and lighting 1,950; drawings 8,400; trade receivables 5,230; cash 260; sales 71,600; returns outwards 1,480; trade payables 3,870; bank overdraft 2,210; discount received 390; capital 66,440. Prepare the trial balance as at 30 November 2026. [10]

4. State whether the trial balance would reveal each of the following errors, and give a reason. [5]

(i) A credit sale of 700 was never entered in any book. (ii) Rent of 400 was debited to the rent account but no credit entry was made. (iii) A van costing 5,000 was debited to the purchases account and credited to bank. (iv) The wages account was added up 150 too high. (v) A payment of 260 to supplier Ames was debited to the account of a different supplier, Ames-Burke.

5. Explain two limitations of a trial balance. Give a different example of an error for each. [4]

6. Explain two purposes of control accounts. [4]

7. Vessendon Toys had trade receivables of 11,250 on 1 January 2026. During 2026: credit sales were 48,600; returns inwards were 1,820; cheques and cash received from customers were 44,100; discount allowed was 730; irrecoverable debts of 640 were written off; a customer’s cheque for 380 was dishonoured; and 410 owed by a customer was set off against a balance owed to that customer as a supplier. Prepare the trade receivables control account for the year ended 31 December 2026. [8]

8. Hartsdale Pantry owed its suppliers 7,340 on 1 April 2026. During the year to 31 March 2027: credit purchases were 29,800; returns outwards were 1,260; payments to suppliers were 27,950; discount received was 520; and 300 owed to a supplier was set off against a balance owed by that supplier as a customer. Prepare the trade payables control account. [7]

9. For each transaction, state whether it appears in the trade receivables control account and, if it does, on which side. [4]

(i) A customer returns goods that were sold to them for 120. (ii) A cash sale of 300. (iii) Depreciation on a delivery van. (iv) Discount of 45 allowed to a customer who paid early.

10. Cobb Hollow Supplies had trade receivables of 9,480 on 1 May 2026. During the year to 30 April 2027: credit sales were 52,700; returns inwards were 2,340; cheques received from customers were 47,050; discount allowed was 1,150; irrecoverable debts of 810 were written off; and a customer’s cheque for 520 was dishonoured.

(a) Prepare the trade receivables control account. [7] (b) The total of the individual balances in the receivables ledger is 11,080. State the difference, say which figure you would check first and why, and suggest one possible cause. [3] (c) Explain why agreement between the control account and the ledger total does not prove that every customer account is correct. [2]

11. The debit column of Pinsley Stoves’ trial balance totals 54,920. The credit column totals 48,350 before the trade payables figure is entered. Trade payables were 5,120 at the start of the year. During the year: credit purchases were 33,680; returns outwards were 1,510; payments to suppliers were 30,200; and discount received was 520.

(a) Prepare the trade payables control account. [5] (b) Use your answer to complete the credit column and say whether the trial balance now agrees. [3]

Answers

1. To check the arithmetical accuracy of double entry [1], because total debit balances should equal total credit balances [1]. To supply the balances for the financial statements [1], as the income statement and statement of financial position are prepared from them [1]. [4] Other valid purposes, such as helping to locate errors, are credited in the same way. Examiner insight: Develop each purpose by saying how it helps, because a bare purpose may earn only one of its two marks.

2. (i) Debit [1]. (ii) Credit [1]. (iii) Credit [1]. (iv) Debit [1]. (v) Credit [1]. (vi) Debit [1]. [6] Examiner insight: A bank overdraft is the usual slip, because “bank” suggests an asset, but an overdraft is owed to the bank and belongs in the credit column.

3.

Sallow Row Books: trial balance as at 30 November 2026	Debit	Credit
Land and buildings	64,000
Fixtures	9,500
Inventory at 1 December 2025	5,400
Purchases	38,900
Returns inwards	1,150
Wages	11,200
Heating and lighting	1,950
Drawings	8,400
Trade receivables	5,230
Cash	260
Sales		71,600
Returns outwards		1,480
Trade payables		3,870
Bank overdraft		2,210
Discount received		390
Capital		66,440
Total	145,990	145,990

Title and date [1]. Debit column: assets [1]; purchases, returns inwards, wages, heating and lighting [1]; drawings [1]. Credit column: sales, returns outwards, discount received [1]; trade payables, bank overdraft [1]; capital [1]. Debit total 145,990 [1]. Credit total 145,990 [1]. Totals level on one line [1]. [10] Examiner insight: A trial balance with the right figures in the wrong columns often fails to agree, so add each column and check the two totals before you stop.

4. (i) No [1], because neither a debit nor a credit was made, so the totals still agree. (ii) Yes [1], because a debit with no matching credit makes the debit column 400 larger. (iii) No [1], because debit and credit are equal, though the wrong account was used. (iv) Yes [1], because the debit column is 150 too high. (v) No [1], because the debit and credit are equal, though the wrong supplier account was used. [5] Examiner insight: Link each answer to whether the debit and credit totals stay equal, because a bare yes or no is unlikely to earn the mark.

5. It does not reveal an error of omission [1], for example a purchase never recorded in any book [1]. It does not reveal a posting to the wrong account of the right type [1], for example a sale entered in the wrong customer’s account [1]. [4] Errors of principle, reversal, original entry and compensating errors are also valid. Examiner insight: The example must fit the error type you name, so check that it does.

6. To check the accuracy of the ledger [1] by comparing the control balance with the total of individual balances [1]. To help locate errors [1], because a difference points to that ledger [1]. [4] Helping to prevent fraud and giving totals quickly are also valid. Examiner insight: Say how the check is done, because “to check the ledger” alone is only a statement.

7.

Trade receivables control account
Debit		Credit
Balance b/d	11,250	Returns inwards	1,820
Sales	48,600	Bank	44,100
Bank (dishonoured cheque)	380	Discount allowed	730
		Irrecoverable debts	640
		Payables control (contra)	410
		Balance c/d	12,530
	60,230		60,230

Debit side: opening balance [1], credit sales [1], dishonoured cheque [1]. Credit side: returns inwards, bank and discount allowed [1], irrecoverable debts [1], contra [1]. Balance c/d 12,530 [1]. Totals 60,230 [1]. [8] Examiner insight: The dishonoured cheque is easy to put on the wrong side: the customer owes the money again, so it increases the balance.

8.

Trade payables control account
Debit		Credit
Returns outwards	1,260	Balance b/d	7,340
Bank	27,950	Purchases	29,800
Discount received	520
Receivables control (contra)	300
Balance c/d	7,110
	37,140		37,140

Credit side: opening balance [1], purchases [1]. Debit side: returns outwards [1], payments [1], discount received [1], contra [1]. Balance c/d 7,110 with totals 37,140 [1]. [7] Examiner insight: Mirror the receivables account but swap the sides, and check the opening balance side first if the closing balance looks wrong.

9. (i) Yes, credit side, as returns inwards [1]. (ii) No, because a cash sale does not pass through the receivables ledger [1]. (iii) No, because depreciation is not a transaction with customers [1]. (iv) Yes, credit side, as discount allowed [1]. [4] Examiner insight: Give the side for each item that appears, because a correct “yes” without the side may not earn the mark.

10. (a)

Trade receivables control account
Debit		Credit
Balance b/d	9,480	Returns inwards	2,340
Sales	52,700	Bank	47,050
Bank (dishonoured cheque)	520	Discount allowed	1,150
		Irrecoverable debts	810
		Balance c/d	11,350
	62,700		62,700

Debit side: opening balance [1], credit sales [1], dishonoured cheque [1]. Credit side: returns, bank and discount allowed [1], irrecoverable debts [1]. Balance c/d 11,350 [1]. Totals 62,700 [1]. [7]

(b) The difference is 11,350 - 11,080 = 270 [1]. Check the list of ledger balances first [1], because the control account is built from the totals of the books of original entry. A possible cause is an omitted customer balance of 270, or a balance copied wrongly [1]. [3]

(c) The control account is built from totals, so two errors in the ledger of equal size on opposite sides can cancel [1]. An amount posted to the wrong customer’s account leaves the total unchanged [1]. [2] Examiner insight: In (b) name which figure you would check and why. A correct difference alone is only one of the three marks.

11. (a)

Trade payables control account
Debit		Credit
Returns outwards	1,510	Balance b/d	5,120
Bank	30,200	Purchases	33,680
Discount received	520
Balance c/d	6,570
	38,800		38,800

Credit side: opening balance [1], purchases [1]. Debit side: returns, payments and discount received [1]. Balance c/d 6,570 [1]. Totals 38,800 [1]. [5]

(b) Credit total = 48,350 + 6,570 = 54,920 [1]. Debit total = 54,920 [1]. The trial balance now agrees, so the missing trade payables figure explains the earlier difference [1]. [3] Examiner insight: In a linked question, carry your control account figure into the trial balance and show the new total.

Where marks are usually lost

• Putting a bank overdraft or trade payables in the debit column.
• Leaving out a trial balance total.
• Saying a trial balance proves the books are correct.
• Giving an example that does not match the named error.
• Writing the trade payables opening balance on the debit side.
• Placing a dishonoured cheque or the contra on the wrong side.
• Including cash sales or depreciation in a control account.
• Giving a purpose without saying how it helps.

Next steps

• Revise with the condensed notes.
• Re-read the full study guide.
• Open the 4AC1 course hub and tick off the checklist.
• Take one of the free 10-minute diagnostics.
• Book a free trial class.

Frequently asked questions

Which column does a bank overdraft go in on a trial balance? A bank overdraft goes in the credit column, because the business owes the bank. Putting an overdraft or trade payables in the debit column is a common error in Edexcel IGCSE Accounting (4AC1) questions.

Does an agreeing trial balance prove the books are correct? No. It shows only that total debits equal total credits. Errors that put equal amounts on both sides, such as omission or commission, leave the totals equal, so give an example that matches the named error.

Which side is the opening balance of a trade payables control account? Trade payables are credit balances, so the opening balance brought down goes on the credit side. Entries that increase what the business owes, such as credit purchases, are credits, and payments, returns outwards and discount received are debits.

How is a contra entry shown in control accounts? A contra sets off an amount owed to a supplier against what the same business owes as a customer. It reduces both control accounts: a credit in trade receivables and a debit in trade payables.

Official syllabus

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Accounting (4AC1) specification, Issue 1, October 2016, published by Pearson Education Limited – Topic 3 Introduction to control processes, sections 3.1 Trial balance and 3.2 Control accounts.