Monday, 30 December 2013

Murabaha Accounting

2.1. Introduction

Murabaha is a cost-plus profit sale contract whereby disclosure of cost to the buyer is necessary. Under Murabaha arrangement customer requests to the Islamic Financial Institution (IFI) to purchase an asset for him (customer) and sell on deferred payment. An essential feature of Murabaha is that IFI must purchase the required commodity from supplier first and then sell to the customer. Bank charges a certain profit usually linked with Inter Bank Offered Rate. Recovery could be agreed in installments or Balloon payment. Amount of installment or price of the asset cannot be (stipulated) increased or decreased in case of default or early payment (Shari’a standard 8). In order to create pressure on client for prompt payment a penalty is imposed upon customer as agreed in Murabaha contract. Amount of penalty for default in prompt payment recovered, cannot be included in income of IFI in any case and must be spent for charity (Usmani, 2002). Murabaha has successfully replaced the overdraft and short term loans facility under conventional banking. Murabaha is dominant mode of financing in portfolios of IFIs since the inception of Islamic banking due to its easiness in practice and low risk as compared to profit and loss sharing modes of financing.
Comparative study of conventional and Islamic financial system reveals following important points as for rights, liabilities, risks and rewards of the parties concerned. If client goes for conventional fiancĂ© he will get simply Rs; 6,000,000 loan in cash form for a charge of 10% interest assuming same return as for Islamic bank. By the time loan approved and available to customer an asset of 6 million is created as loans receivables by conventional bank and another Liability of current deposit is created of equal amount while cash and balances decrease as and when amount is withdrawn. Conventional bank has no risk in this transaction except default on behalf of customer.  After expiry of one month interest revenue of Rs; 50,000 is due hence form the income of conventional bank. Asset (loan receivables) increased by Rs; 50,000 while liability of customer is also increased by Rs; 50,000.
Under normal circumstances conventional bank has not much concern whether computers purchased or not. His interest is in return of principal as well as interest hence linkage of financial sector with real sector is not guaranteed. What could be the impact of this transaction if loaned money has not gone into production process? On one hand income is increasing while on the other hand goods and services are not increasing consequently more income and less goods and services, hence leading to higher prices for goods and services (inflation) in the economy. In case of default by customer on due date loan can be rescheduled generally by charging a little higher rate of interest e.g 11% in this transaction.
On the other hand rights, liabilities, risks and reward are much different under Islamic financial system. When customer contacted for purchase of computers although IFI consented to provision of financing but no rights and liabilities affected. When computers purchased in the name of IFI it increased the risk exposure of bank being owner of goods carrying number of risks including destruction, damage, obsolescence, theft, fire, transportation etc. and finally refusal by customer to accept as he has not an agreement to purchase, with bank, rather a promise to purchase. On the next stage goods sold to customer and now IFI is at par in risk of default with conventional bank. Profit of Islamic bank is due by the date Murabaha sales taken place however as customary and keeping in view the nature of baking (where deposits are changing hands frequently) it is spread over period of Murabaha transaction. No profit can be assumed by IFI until sales of goods to customer has taken place.
As per principle of Murabaha IFI will not pay amount of Rs; 6 million to customer rather payment is made or current account is opened in the name of vendor hence ensuring the use of funds for the purpose  these are  requested and guaranteed linkage of financial sector to the real sector hence zero contribution of this transaction in inflation. Finally rescheduling of Murabaha receivables is not allowed and IFI cannot extend period by charging at higher interest rate or at same rate. IFI can take legal action for recovery or auction the security held in extreme cases. Generally IFI does not want to lose the customer for a minor default and Ulema (clerics) has allowed to incorporate a penalty section in contract of Murabaha in case of default by customer subject to use of penalty is only for charity and must not be included in income of IFI.
One must understand & appreciate nature of penalty imposed by IFI on customer. It is not extra charge like conventional banking which is rent of money paid late by customer. It is to penalize the defaulter and encourage prompt payment. Even then if default is committed and penalty is charged, amount recovered under penalty head is not the income of IFI. Difference lies here in use of penalty amount by IFI and extra interest earned by conventional bank. Former is using recovered amount for charity and not increasing his income while later is treating late payment charges as his income. It is further pertinent to state that late payment penalty is not the only solution to encourage prompt payment. If a speedy with easy access judicial system is in order or a commission to settle default cases is established financial penalty may not be required in case of default.

 2.2. Steps in Murabaha

Murabaha is used extensively by Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) due to its salient features including low risk and easy settlement. Murabaha financing is completed in certain steps and those must be adhered to achieve Shari’a compliance. In fact risk bearing is essential for seller to earn profit hence underlying asset must come into ownership and possession of IFI. Steps involve in Murabaha are as under. Figure 2.1 depicts Murabaha sale process.
1. Customer requests to an IFI for purchase of an asset. IFI gets written promise from customer to purchase the asset once it is acquired by IFI.[written promise]
2. IFI purchases asset as per specifications of customer from vendor. [Purchase order]
In certain exceptional cases where IFI is lacking in technical expertise relating to purchase of an asset, she can appoint another person as a purchasing agent including the customer himself. Appointing customer as purchasing agent could be fruitful for both customer and IFI because asset is purchased for customer and his satisfaction can be ensured if he is the purchasing agent. However at this stage customer is only agent to IFI and underlying asset belongs to IFI. All risks of ownership are borne by IFI. (e.g. asset suffers any damage without negligence of agent it is the loss of IFI and not of the customer). Once asset is being purchased agent will inform to IFI. Asset at this stage is in ownership and possession of IFI [I & II].
3. Asset is purchased by IFI and possession taken over, physical or constructive [Invoice in the name of IFI].
4. Payment is made by IFI to vendor. In no case payment should be handed over to customer, even if asset is directly acquired by customer as agent of IFI from vendor. [Cash or cheque in the name of vendor]
5. After acquisition of asset offer to purchase by customer or offer to sell by IFI is made which becomes a sale contract on the acceptance by the other party. Asset is transferred to the ownership and possession of customer along with all risks and returns of ownership [Murabaha sale agreement].
Under certain exceptional circumstances asset is transferred directly to premises of customer by vendor but in this case still risk of ownership is responsibility of IFI until asset is being sold to customer [III –V].
6. Payment is made by customer to IFI either lump sum or installments as the case may be [Cash or cheque(s) in the name of IFI].
Figure 2.1. Graphic presentation of Murabaha sales process
                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                       

2.3. Summary of Standard [FAS-2]

1. Assets possessed by Islamic bank for the purpose of selling them on the basis of Murabaha or Murabaha to the purchase orderer shall be measured at the time of acquisition on an historical cost basis. After acquisition of assets if there is a decline in value of the assets held for sale on Murabaha following two options are suggested depending upon the underlying circumstances:-
a. If asset is acquired for a customer with binding promise, no adjustment is required.
b. If asset is acquired for a customer without binding promise, then an appropriate adjustment to the cost should be made.
Cost of Murabaha includes payment due to supplier plus direct expenses (transportation, insurance, storage, fee for letter of credit) incurred. Operating expenses of bank must not be included in cost. Any discount received from supplier even after execution of Murabaha contract must be passed on to customer. Cost and profit must be certain at the time of sale[1]. It is permitted to sell the asset on Bai al Bara’ah (sale on ‘as is’ basis) relieving the IFI from any manufacturing defect of asset, however, in this case right of recourse to manufacturer should be assign to customer. Urboun (earnest money) is allowed after execution of Murabaha contract. However it is preferred to forfeit the amount equal to actual loss suffered [SS 8].
1. Mr. Khan entered into a binding promise to acquire a machine from Margalla Islamic bank after arrangements made by bank. It was agreed to use Murabaha sales instrument for the deal with 12% margin on actual cost. Bank purchased the machine from vendor for PKR 600,000 and spent 50,000 on transportation and 30,000 on insurance in transit. Cost of this asset is PKR 680,000 and selling price is PKR 761,600 with 12% profit.
2. Alam Zeb entered into a binding promise with local Islamic bank to acquire a machine costing PKR 500,000. Bank arranged the machine from vendor and kept in godown. After passing 15 days market value of machine declined by 10%. As bank has agreed with customer to charge KIBOR plus 1% on Murabaha sale, hence no adjustment is required to the cost of asset. However if Alam Zeb has not signed a binding promise then an adjustment of PKR 50,000 [500,000 X 10%] is required and now carrying value of machine is only PKR 450,000.  
2. If any discount is received by Islamic bank on the price of an asset sold or to be sold under Murabaha, the same should be passed on to the customer by reducing the cost of the underlying asset(s).
1. Mr. Khan requested bank to purchase a machine for him from Germany and supply to customer under Murabaha sale at 10% profit. Machine was imported by Mr. Z and charged to bank PKR 1,000,000. Price of this contract would be PKR 1,100,000. Suppose after completion of deal importer gave 2% discount to bank, it is necessary that bank reduce the selling price even after completion of sales transaction. Hence now cost is PKR 980,000 [1,000,000-20,000] and selling price is 1,078,000 [1,100,000-22,000].

3. Murabaha receivables are to be recorded at face value at the time of sale irrespective whether these are long term or short term. However receivables are measured at cash equivalent value [amount due less any provision for doubtful accounts].
1. Mr Zahoor entered into a deal with an IFI to purchase a motor vehicle. Cost of vehicle is PKR 1,500,000 and profit of 20% was agreed on cost, payable in four equal installments due at the end of six months. Selling price of this deal is PKR 1,800,000 and sales as well as accounts receivable of PKR 1.8 million should be recorded in books of accounts. However if at the time of closing if bank considers to create 5% provision for doubtful accounts, the same shall be shown as deduction from accounts receivables.

4. Profit on Murabaha sale is to be recognized as follow according to circumstances:-
a. If it is cash sales or credit sales recoverable within the accounting period at the time of sales
b. If it is credit sales with expected/agreed recovery beyond the single accounting period irrespective whether in installments or a single payment, proportionate allocation of profits over the period of the credit whereby each financial period shall carry its portion of profits irrespective of whether or not cash is received.
In both of the cases mentioned above sales and costs shall be recognized at the time of contract subject to deferral of profits under case b. At the time of closing any deferred profit shall be shown as deduction from Murabaha receivables.
1. Mr. Sharik entered into a Murabaha sales with a local Islamic bank for purchase of raw cotton amounting to PKR 500,000 with 5% profit on cost payable within 6 months. This transaction shall be recorded as sales of PKR 525,000 with a realized profit of PKR 25,000 if period falls within the same accounting period.
2. Mr. Yahya entered into a Murabaha sale agreement with Margalla Islamic bank for purchase of cement plant costing PKR 30 million. Profit on sales agreed is 20%. Amount is payable in four equal installments, due within six month interval. Price of this sale is PKR 3,600,000 with an amount of PKR 900,000 per installment. Profit on deal is PKR 600,000. As this deal is beyond one accounting period, hence profit should be spread over all accounting periods. Let us assume these 24 months fall is three accounting periods [6 months in first accounting period; one year in second accounting period; and six months in third accounting period] hence, profit should be distributed as PKR 150,000 in first period; PKR 300,000 in second accounting period and PKR 150,000 in third accounting period. It is further suggested that sale and cost should be recognized in first accounting period with deferred profit of PKR 450,000 [300,000+150,000] for second and third accounting periods. If first installment is received in time then closing balance of accounts receivables would be PKR 2,250,000 [2,700,000-450,000] after making adjustment for deferred profit.
      
5. If any rebate is allowed, due to early payment by the customer, at the time of payment to customer, the same is deducted from accounts receivables as well as from deferred profit.   

6. It is permitted to demand security deposit (Hamish Jiddiya) from customer in case of binding promise which can be forfeited equal to the amount of actual loss suffered by bank (excluding time value of money) if customer breaches his promise.
There are two types of security deposits; one is security against a promise [Hamish Jiddiya] and second is against a sales agreement [Urboun]. Hamish Jiddiya cannot be forfeited in full, only actual loss can be recovered. Urboun can be forfeited in full irrespective of loss of bank; however it is preferred to recover the actual loss only.
1. Mr. Khan requested bank to purchase a machine for him from Germany and supply to customer under Murabaha sale at 10% profit. Machine was imported by Mr. Z and charged to bank PKR 1,000,000. Price of this contract would be PKR 1,100,000. Suppose while Murabaha sales agreement was signed a security deposit of PKR 200,000 agreed by parties which can be forfeited by bank in case of non performance of sales contract by Mr. Khan. However it is preferred that bank sell the asset to another party and if could not recover the original price paid [PKR 1,000,000 in this case] the difference may be charged to Mr. Khan.
2. Mr. A requested to an IFI to arrange a machine for him on deferred sale basis. As per agreement both agreed to charge profit of 10% per annum and payment would be due after one year. As goods are not available with bank and has to arrange from market, hence contract of sales cannot be executed, so Mr. A promised to purchase once the goods arranged by bank and paid PKR 50,000 as security deposit. After the goods arranged by bank Mr. A shown lack of interest in execution of sales agreement. Bank disposed of goods for cash at a loss of PKR 20,000. Mr. A is obliged to reimburse the actual loss of bank, hence bank is required to refund only 30,000 out of security deposit to Mr. A after deducting the actual loss. Suppose goods value was PKR 1,000,000 and it was agreed to sell to Mr. A at  PKR 1,100,000, still loss accounted for under Islamic financial system is only PKR 20,000 and not 120,000 [100,000 loss of expected profit and 20,000 loss from actual spending]. Suppose further bank entered into another Murabaha with Mr. B for 1,080,000 and lost expected profit of PKR 20,000. In this case nothing shall be deducted from security money deposited by Mr. A as bank lost nothing from cost [no actual loss]. Loss of expected profit of PKR 20,000 is not to be reimbursed by Mr. A under Islamic financial system.
3. Mr. Khan requested to Margalla Islamic Bank to arrange raw material for his factory amounting to PKR 500,000 and promised to enter into Murabaha agreement once the goods arranged. After acquisition of bank Mr. Khan was not interested in sale agreement and bank had to dispose of goods at 10% loss to Mr. Alam. Mr. Khan is responsible to reimburse loss of PKR 50,000 to bank. Suppose bank and Khan were agreed to a profit of 20% through this Murabaha deal and non performance of promise put the bank on loss of expected profit. This expected profit cannot be charged to customer under Islamic financial system and bank can claim damages equal to actual loss from a defaulter of promise. 

7. The bank should disclose in the notes to financial statements whether it considers the promise made in the Murabaha to purchase orderer as obligatory or not.

2.4. Bookkeeping

In this section journal entries relating to Murabaha sales are illustrated:
1. When a customer enters into a binding promise to purchase the goods once arranged by bank and deposits a security (Hamish Jiddaya) the following journal entry is passed.
Journal
Date
Description
L/F
Debit
Credit
2013
Jan. 12 
Cash
   Customer account
Amount deposited by customer to be used either advance payment or Hamish Jiddaya.

50,000


50,000

Total

50,000
50,000

2. When the asset is purchased by bank from the vendor and direct expenses are incurred following journal entries are recorded in the books of accounts.


Journal
Date
Description
L/F
Debit
Credit
2013
Jan. 15


Jan. 17



Jan. 17
Murabaha Assets
   Accounts Payable
Asset purchased from vendor for Murabaha to purchase orderer.
Carriage Inwards
Insurance in Transit
   Cash
Amount paid for direct expenses
Murabaha Assets
   Carriage inwards
   Insurance in transit
Direct expenses transferred to Murabaha asset.

500,000



15,000
5,000


20,000

500,000




20,000


15,000
5,000

Total

540,000
540,000

3. When Murabaha sales agreement is signed and ownership as well as possession of goods transferred to customer the following journal entries are recorded.
Journal
Date
Description
L/F
Debit
Credit
2013
Jan. 20


Jan. 20
Murabaha Receivables
   Murabaha Asset
   Deferred profit
Murabaha  sale executed
Customer account
   Cash
Security deposit is refunded

594,000



50,000

520,000
74,000


50,000

Total

644,000
644,000
Note:
1. In case security deposit is used as partial payment of price, no entry is required.
2. In case amount is neither taken back by customer, nor used as partial payment of price then bank has to open two accounts for the same customer. One account for Murabaha financing; and the other as investment (PLS) account carrying the rights of rab ul maal (partner with capital).
4. When an installment is paid by customer the following entry is passed.
Journal
Date
Description
L/F
Debit
Credit
2013
Jun. 20

Cash
   Murabaha Receivables
Amount of installment under Murabaha sale received

100,000


100,000


Total

100,000
100,000

5. At the time of closing accounts receivables are estimated reliably and provision for doubtful accounts is created -if required- to record the provision for bad debts following entry is passed. Also profit needs to be adjusted. Suppose 18,000 profit relates to current period based upon length of Murabaha sales term.
Journal
Date
Description
L/F
Debit
Credit
2013
Jun. 30



Jun. 30
Income Summary
   Provision for doubtful ac     counts
 3% of accounts receivables reserved for doubtful accounts
Deferred Profit
   Income Summary
Part of profit realized.

14,820




18,000



14,820




18,000

Total

32,820
32,820

6. Following would be balance sheet presentation of foregoing transactions relating to Murabaha sales.
Partial Balance Sheet
Assets
Notes
Amount
Murabaha Receivables
Less-Provision for Doubtful accounts                          14,820
        Deferred Profit                                                  56,000
Net Murabaha Receivables
19
494,000

(70,820)
424,180
7. Suppose customer could not honor his commitment to purchase the asset and disposed off for an amount of 496,000, resulting in a loss of 24,000 [520,000-496,000]. This loss shall be reimbursed by Murabaha to purchase orderer and the following entry would be passed.
Journal
Date
Description
L/F
Debit
Credit
2013
Jan. 30



Cash
Customer account
   Murabaha Asset
Murabaha asset disposed off at a loss which is recovered from purchase orderer.

496,000
24,000






520,000



Total

520,000
520,000

2.5. Financial Impact of Murabaha

Financial reporting and financial impact of Murabaha are discussed in following paragraphs. I shall illustrate with a hypothetical balance sheet and show the impact on balance sheet of an IFI of different transactions under Murabaha. Balance sheet of an IFI is little different from balance sheet of a conventional bank in the sense that IFIs accept deposits either as loan which is in line with practices of commercial banks and does not create any difference in balance sheet; or on profit and loss sharing basis under Musharaka and Mudaraba which changes the nature of relationship between customer and IFI. Deposits under profit and loss sharing (PLS) modes including Musharaka & Mudaraba are not shown as liabilities in the balance sheet of an IFI rather reported as equity. On the other hand conventional banks lend money and shows advances to customers as asset while IFIs are not lending cash rather sell the goods on credit hence resulting in receivables under Murabaha, Muajjal etc. Furthermore IFIs are investing in businesses who need cash financing under schemes of Musharaka & Mudaraba hence investment under Musharaka & Mudaraba is shown as asset and not the receivables or advances. Let us look at a simple balance sheet of an IFI as at December 31, 2009.
Cash and balances include cash in branches, balances with other banks and reserve with central bank. Accounts receivables include receivables under Murabaha, Ijarah, Bai Muajjal, Bai Salam and Istisna’a. Short term investments are investments made in stocks and Sukuk while PLS investments include investments made under Musharaka, Diminishing Musharaka and Mudaraba. Property plant and equipment are the physical assets of bank used in business process and not held for sale (e.g. furniture, building, motor vehicles etc.). On liabilities side payable include payments to the vendors and balances payable to other banks. Accrued expenses are day to day expenses due but not paid. Equities consist of two types including deposits under profit and loss sharing and owners equity. Statutory reserve is required by law for banks to maintain equal to their paid up capital and retained earnings are undistributed profits.

ABC Islamic Bank Ltd
Balance sheet,  as at December 31, 2009.
Assets
Rs (000)
Liabilities & Equities
Rs (000)
Current Assets
Cash and balances
Accounts R/A
Inventory (assets for sale)
Accrued revenue
Short term investments
Total current assets
Investments under PLS
Property, plant & equipment

1,000
1,000
 500
200
150
2,850
1,000
2,000
Liabilities
Payables and balances
Current deposits
Accrued expenses
Total liabilities
Equities
PLS deposits balances
Shareholders’ equity
Paid up capital
Statutory reserves
Retained earnings
Total Equities

400
300
50
750

1,500

3,000
400
200
5,100
Total assets
5,850
Total liabilities & Equities
5,850

Now we are ready to understand the impact of any Murabaha transaction. To illustrate a customer walked in bank on January 1st 2010, with a request to supply 100 computers of specified brand on one year credit and signed the promise to purchase as and when supplied by bank within period of one month. What is affect of this agreement on bank’s balance sheet? Answer is nothing as it is simply promise not an agreement of sale and purchase which carries rights and liabilities. Suppose bank is demanding earnest money of Rs; 200,000 to guarantee the seriousness of customer in the form of current account deposit to be maintained till the deal is finalized and customer provide the deposits. What is affect of this transaction is shown in following condensed balance sheet.
        

Journal
Date
Description
L/F
Debit
Credit
2010
Jan. 1


Cash
   Customer account   
Security deposit for Murabaha investment received.

200,000




200,000



Total

200,000
200,000

ABC Islamic Bank Ltd
Balance sheet,   as at January 1, 2010.
Assets
Rs (000)
Liabilities & Equities
Rs (000)
Cash and balances
Others from earlier B/S
1,200
4,850
Current deposits
Others from earlier B/S
500
5,550
Total assets
6,050
Total liabilities & Equities
6,050

Suppose in order to ensure quality and desired specification bank appoint the customer as agent to visit another city and purchase computer on behalf of bank. Expenses incurred amounting to Rs; 50,000 during purchases process and deal is finalized between bank and supplier of computers @ Rs; 60,000 per computer on 10th of January 2010. Expenses incurred by customer are reimbursed by bank as expenses of agent are always borne by principal. Suppose instead of agreeing to make payment to the vendor in cash customer relations department of bank succeeded in getting current deposit from the vendor for its branch in the city of vendor and opened a current account of vendor.  Impact of the transaction is displayed in following balance sheet. Both sides of balance sheet current deposits (liability) and inventory (asset) increased by 6 million;  and cash decreased by PKR 50, 000 as well as inventory increased by 50,000 as these are direct expenses to be included in cost of Murabaha assets.         
Journal
Date
Description
L/F
Debit
Credit
2010
Jan. 10


Jan. 10
Murabaha Assets
   Vendor account   
Asset purchased and payment of cost made available to customer.
Murabaha Asset
   Cash
Expenses incurred on purchase of Murabaha assets

6,000,000



50,000




6000,000



50,000

Total

6,050,000
6,050,000

ABC Islamic Bank Ltd
Balance sheet,    as at January 10, 2010.
Assets
Rs (000)
Liabilities & Equities
Rs (000)
Cash and balances
Murabaha Assets-Inventory 
Others from earlier B/S
1,150
6,050
4,850
Current deposits
Others from earlier B/S
6,500
5,550
Total assets
12,050
Total liabilities & Equities
12,050
           
On January 15, 2010, customer and bank exchanged offer and acceptance documents, hence sale executed.  Selling price agreed Rs; 6,996,000 consist of cost plus 10% profit payable at the end of December, 2010. It is irrelevant, as for validity of Murabaha agreement is concerned, whether goods are delivered first to bank and then transported to customer or directly delivered to customer by shipping company. What is required is to borne the risk of ownership by bank being seller to the customer. Risk of loss or damage is borne by bank till the delivery of goods to customer at a place which is agreed between parties. If that place is ex-factory of vendor then bank is responsible for loss between periods of 10th to 15th January 2010, and if delivery point is customer premises then bank is responsible till the time goods delivered to the customer. By 17th January, 2010, goods delivered to customer without any damage at his premises by shipping company. For transporting goods bank incurred further expenses of transportation amounting to PKR 250,000 and Insurance in transit PKR 60,000. Price of Murabaha sales calculated as under table 2.1.
Table 2.1 Price Calculation of Murabaha Sales
Description                                                                                         Amount Rs.
Payable to vendor                                                                           Rs. 6,000,000
Other direct expenses                                                                                      50,000
Transportation expenses                                                                          250,000
Insurance/Takaful expenses                                                                     60, 000
Total cost                                                                                        Rs.6, 360,000
Add 10% profit on cost                                                                                       636,000
Selling price                                                                                         6,996,000

Impact of this transaction is shown in following balance sheet.
ABC Islamic Bank Ltd
Balance sheet,  as at January 17, 2010.
Assets
Rs (000)
Liabilities & Equities
Rs (000)
Cash and balances
Murabaha Receivables
Others from earlier B/S
840
6,996
4,850
Current deposits
Deferred profit
Others from earlier B/S
6,500
636
5,550
Total assets
12,686
Total liabilities & Equities
12,686
Journal
Date
Description
L/F
Debit
Credit
2010
Jan. 15




Jan. 17




Jan. 17


Murabaha Assets
   Transportation expenses P/A
   Takaful expenses P/A   
Expenses payable on transportation of Murabaha assets recorded.
Murabaha R/A
   Murabaha Asset
   Deferred Profit
Sales of Murabaha assets executed at 10% margin on cost.
Transportation expenses P/A
Takaful expenses P/A
   Cash
Transportation expenses paid.









310,000





6,996,000




250,000
60,000

250,000
60,000




6,360,000
636,000




310,000

Total

7,616
7,616
           
Note the change on both sides. Cash and balances decreased due to payment of Rs; 310,000 as expenses of insurance and transportation. Inventory of computers finished and Murabaha receivable generated with a profit of Rs; 636,000 which is disclosed as deferred profit to be realized by December 31, 2010, irrespective whether amount received at due date or not. Suppose amount received at December 31, 2010 and in the mean time vendor, who is depositor of bank as well, has withdrawn 50% of the balance, also original deposit of security PKR 200,000 adjusted. Following balance sheet has shown the impact of all transactions relating to this particular Murabaha sale.


Journal
Date
Description
L/F
Debit
Credit
2010
Dec. 31




Dec. 31



Dec. 31


Customer account
Vendor account
   Cash
50% of amount withdrawn by vendor and security deposit withdrawn by Murabaha customer.
Cash
   Murabaha Asset
Amount of Murabaha receivables recovered.
Deferred profit
   Retained earnings
Profit realized on Murabaha.








200,000
3,000,000





6,996,000



636,000




3,200,000





6,996,000



636,000

Total

10,832
10,832
ABC Islamic Bank Ltd
Balance sheet,   as at December 31, 2010.
Assets
Rs (000)
Liabilities & Equities
Rs (000)
Current Assets
Cash and balances
Accounts R/A
Inventory (assets for sale)
Accrued revenue
Short term investments
Total current assets
Investments under PLS
Property, plant & equipment
Total long term assets

4,636
1,000
 500
200
150
6,486
1,000
2,000
3,000
Liabilities
Payables and balances
Current deposits
Accrued expenses
Total liabilities
Equities
PLS deposits balances
Shareholders’ equity
Paid up capital
Statutory reserves
R. earnings/ Un appropriated
Total Equities

400
3,300
50
3,750

1,500

3,000
400
836
5,736
Total assets
9,486
Total liabilities & Equities
9,486



Illustration.1. Mr. Abdullah requested to Meezan bank Islamabad on January 1st 2010, to issue cash for purchase of cotton amounting to Rs; 2 million payable in four equal six monthly installments. Meezan bank agreed to the deal by charging 10% profit. Meezan bank appointed Mr. Abdullah as agent to visit the cotton belt and finalize purchase of cotton as per required quality. Mr. Abdullah spent amounting to Rs; 50,000 in searching and purchasing the required commodity of cotton. On January 10th 2010, Mr. Abdullah made the deal with broker (Mr. Omer) in Veharri in the name of Meezan Bank. On January 15, 2010, offer and acceptance completed between Mr. Abdullah and Meezan bank at Islamabad office of Meezan bank. As per desire of Mr. Abdullah cotton is to be supplied by Meezan bank at factory premises located in industrial estate Hattar. Punjab Sarhad goods transport company hired by Mr. Abdullah on behalf of Meezan bank to transport cotton bales from Melsee (Godown of Mr. Omer) to Hattar (Factory of Mr. Abdullah) for shipping charges of Rs; 200,000. Transportation insurance/takaful amounting to Rs; 20,000 paid to Pak Qatar Takaful Company.

    
Cotton: A cash crop in Pakistan
Required:-
1.      Will Meezan bank pay the required cash of Rs; 2 million to Mr. Abdullah?
2.      Who will bear the transportation and cost of living amounting to Rs; 50,000 spent by Mr. Abdullah?
3.      Who will pay the cost of transportation and insurance/takaful of cotton bales shifted from Melsee to Hattar?
4.      What is the cost of this transaction to be used to calculate profit?
5.      What is selling price and amount of profit?
6.      What is amount of profit realized annually? Quarterly? Monthly?
7.      Journalize the above transactions as per FAS-2 issued by AAOFIF.

Solution
1.      No as per Murabaha principles bank is trader who purchases the goods from vendor and sells to customer hence receive cash from customer and pay to vendor. Meezan bank should not make payment to Mr. Abdullah rather pay directly to vendor.
2.      Mr. Abdullah is working in capacity of agent for bank hence all expenses incurred relating to purchase of asset are required to be borne by Meezan bank. If it is not the fee for services rendered then it can be treated as direct expense to be included in cost of goods sold under Murabaha sales.
3.      As per agreement Meezan bank is required to supply the goods at factory premises of customer hence transportation cost is to be paid by bank. During this period any damage to the inventory is charged to bank and/or insurance company as the case may be however whole risk is of bank and not the customer.
4.      Direct costs incurred relating to inventory are used in calculation of cost including payment or payable to vendor and transportation including insurance. Cost of goods for charging profit is calculated as under table 2.2.

Table 2.2. Calculation of cost of goods sold
Description                                                                 Amount Rs.
Vendor charges                                                           Rs.2, 000,000
Payment to agent for searching goods                                      50,000
Transportation cost                                                                  200,000
Insurances cost                                                                          20,000
Total cost                                                                             2,270,000

5.      Selling price calculated by adding 10% margin on cost of goods sold as under (table 2.3).



Table 2.3 calculation of selling price
Description                                                                   Amount Rs.
Total cost as calculated in table 2.2                                       2,270,000
10% markup/profit on cost                                                    227,000
Selling price of Murabaha                                                  2,497,000

6.      Because it is two years deal hence prorata share of profit is Rs; 113,500 for each year. Quarterly profit is Rs; 28,350 and monthly profit is Rs; 9,458. As In banking sector depositors are free to deposit and withdraw except fixed PLS deposits hence de-annualisation of profit is necessary to quarter or to month for servicing depositors.
7.      Following are the relevant journal entries:
  Journal
Date
Description
L/F
Debit
Credit
2010
Jan. 10






Jan. 15






Jan. 15




Jul. 15


Dec. 31
Murabaha Assets
   Accounts Payable
   Transportation expenses P/A
   Takaful expenses P/A
   Miscellaneous expenses  
Cost of goods and Expenses payable on transportation of Murabaha assets recorded.
Accounts payable
Transportation expenses P/A
Takaful expenses P/A
Miscellaneous expenses
   Cash
Cost of goods and other direct expenses paid.
Murabaha R/A
   Murabaha Asset
   Deferred profit  
Murabaha sales executed at 10% margin on cost.
Cash
   Murabaha R/A
First Installment received.
Deferred Profit
   Income summary
Portion of profit realized.









2,270,000







2,000,000
200,000
20,000
50,000



2,497,000




610,500


113,500


2,000,000
200,000
20,000
50,000







2,270,000



2,270,000
227,000



610,500


113,500

Total

7,761,000
7,761,000

Note:
It depends upon policy of bank whether to prepare income statement for profit distribution on monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually, hence adjusting entry for profit realization shall be made accordingly.
Illustration.2.  In Continuity of illustration 1, in order to ensure the prompt payment Meezan bank inserted a clause in Murabaha agreement that a penalty of 10% of amount  due shall be imposed if default continued for a period of 30 days from due date.
Required:-
1.      What is amount of penalty if first installment is paid on 10th of August 2010? 30th of August 2010?
2.      What is impact of penalty recovered on revenue, assets, liabilities and equity of Meezan bank?

Solution
1. Due date for first installment is six month July 15th 2010, from date of sale January 15th 2010. As per agreement grace period is 30 days hence penalty shall be imposed after 15th of August 2010. If amount is paid on 10th of August 2010, no penalty is imposed. However in case payment is made on 30th August 2010, penalty equal to 10% of amount due is charged. Amount due on first installment is calculated as under. Following are given two methods of calculation first based on time value and second ignoring time value. Selection of method is very vital in transaction as it determines the rights and liabilities of parties concerned. Time value of money concept has not been accepted in Islamic financial literature hence use of first method in practice of Islamic banking is not recommendable. First is traditional method of installment calculation by applying following formula:
           
Where P is the amount spent on inventory, R is the installment, I is the interest rate and n is the number of years and m is number of compounding in a year. This formula is based on concept of time value of money hence not recommended for use in Islamic modes of financing. As per this formula if we calculate four equal six monthly installments amount of each installment becomes approximately Rs; 626,000 rounded to 100.
Second method is based on simple calculation by ignoring time value of money. While ignoring the time value of money, it is simply division of selling price calculated in part 5 of illustration 1 hence, amount of each installment is Rs; 610,500. Second method of calculation is recommended. Consequently amount of penalty is Rs; 61,050.
2. Amount of penalty cannot form part of income of Meezan bank and role of bank is only to act as trustee for collection and distribution of charity. It will not affect financial position of bank at all. However as a matter of disclosure in financial statements it is shown as increase in cash on asset side and increase in charity fund on liabilities side of balance sheet.
  Journal
Date
Description
L/F
Debit
Credit
2010
Aug.30



Cash
   Murabaha R/A
   Charity fund
1st installment along with penalty received.





671,550

610,500
61,050
Illustration.3. Continuing through illustration 1& 2.  In order to mitigate the risk of default by Mr. Abdullah, Meezan bank demanded security and customer offered the ownership paper of a plot in Defense with estimated market value of Rs; 3 million, to be auctioned in case of default for amount due for a period of more than one year. Mr. Abdullah made the first payment on 10th of August 2010, second installment by February 10th of 2011, but could not make the last two installments till 15th January 2013 and not sure when to be able to make payment in foreseeable future. He informed the Meezan bank accordingly. Plot was auctioned by Meezan bank on April 25, 2013 for amounting to Rs; 3,500,000. For auction of plot Meezan bank had to incur expenditures amounting to Rs; 100,000.
Required:-
1.      What is the impact on financial reporting of Meezan bank, if any, of receiving and retaining ownership paper of plot from customer as security?
2.      What is amount of penalty received with first installment and second installment?
3.      What is amount of penalty due with third installment and fourth installment?
4.      How much amount is to be refunded to Mr. Abdullah, if any, on sale of plot?

Solution
1. Holding ownership paper of plot as security does not affect financial position or revenues of Meezan bank. However this fact must be disclosed in notes that Murabaha receivables are secured hence risk of default is mitigated.
2. Because both installments are within grace period so no question of charging penalty.
3. Amount of penalty is equal in both installments amounting to Rs; 61,050. One must appreciate the fact that penalty is different from late payment charges as charged under conventional banking. Late payment charges of installment three and four are not equal under conventional banking because time period of default is larger for third installment as compared to fourth.
4. Selling price of plot is Rs; 3,500,000. Meezan bank can claim only actual receivables and amount spent on disposal of plot and not the time value of money for delay in recovery of approximately one and half years in first installment and one year in second installment. Hence, amount refunded to Mr. Abdullah is calculated as under.

Table 2.4 calculation of refundable amount
Description                                                                         Amount in Rs.
Selling price of plot                                                                              Rs. 3,500,000
Disposal cost                                                                                            100,000
Amount receivable                                            610,500 X 2 = 1,221,000
Amount of penalty                                             61,050 X 2 = 122,100
Total deductions                                                                                       1,443,100
Refundable amount                                                                                          2,056,900
 
Journal
Date
Description
L/F
Debit
Credit
2010
Jan. 10






Jan. 15






Jan. 15




Jul. 15


Dec. 31


2011
Feb. 10


Dec. 31


2013
Apr. 25

Apr. 25


Apr. 25





Apr. 25



Murabaha Assets
   Accounts Payable
   Transportation expenses P/A
   Takaful expenses P/A
   Miscellaneous expenses  
Cost of goods and Expenses payable on transportation of Murabaha assets recorded.
Accounts payable
Transportation expenses P/A
Takaful expenses P/A
Miscellaneous expenses
   Cash
Cost of goods and other direct expenses paid.
Murabaha R/A
   Murabaha Asset
   Deferred profit  
Murabaha sales executed at 10% margin on cost.
Cash
   Murabaha R/A
First Installment received.
Deferred Profit
   Income summary
Portion of profit realized.
Cash
Murabaha R/A
Second installment received within the grace period.
Deferred profit
   Income summary
Profit realized for 2nd year.
Cash
   Customer account
Security sold for cash.
Customer account
   Cash account
Selling expenses of security paid.
Customer account
   Murabaha R/A
   Charity fund
Two installments recovered and penalty amount deposited in charity fund account.
Customer account
   Cash
Excess amount refunded to customers.









2,270,000







2,000,000
200,000
20,000
50,000



2,497,000




610,500


113,500


610,500



113,500


3,500,000


100,000


1,343,100





2,056,900

2,000,000
200,000
20,000
50,000







2,270,000



2,270,000
227,000



610,500


113,500


610,500



113,500


3,500,000


100,000


1,221,000
122,100




2,056,900

Total

15,485,000
15,485,000

2.7. Comparison with Conventional Accounting

In this section a comparison of conventional Vs Murabaha accounting is presented to establish following points:
1. Conventional accounting carries insufficient guidance to cover Murabaha accounting
2. If IFIs follow conventional accounting (due to local legal framework) then how results are different from Murabaha accounting
In order to understand the difference let us have a brief example. Mr. Abdullah is a manufacturer of textile goods and frequently needs working capital from banks. At present he is in need of PKR 2 Million to purchase raw cotton payable in quarterly eight equal installments. He has two options including conventional loan and Murabaha financing. Let us further assume that both conventional as well as Islamic bank is charging the same profit rate of KIBOR plus one percent [16%]. If we charge straight 16% profit then for two years period profit on cost becomes PKR 640,000 for two years [this is preferred as it is eliminating time value of money] and quarterly installment become PKR 330,000, however as Islamic financial industry knowingly remains competitive with conventional, hence I calculate installment based upon conventional method [using time value of money]. Under this method installment becomes PKR 273,019 [which means 4.6% straight]. Following is Analytical table under conventional accounting.
Analysis of payments under conventional
Quarters
 Quarterly
Installments
 Quarterly
Interest 2%
 Quarterly
Principal
 Balance in
Loan
0
                        -  
                    -  
                  -  
   2,000,000
1
             273,019
           40,000
      233,019
   1,766,981
2
             273,019
           35,340
      237,679
   1,529,302
3
             273,019
           30,586
      242,433
   1,286,869
4
             273,019
           25,737
      247,282
   1,039,587
5
             273,019
           20,792
      252,227
      787,360
6
             273,019
           15,747
      257,272
      530,088
7
             273,019
           10,602
      262,417
      267,671
8
             273,019
             5,348
      267,671
                   0
Total
         2,184,152
         184,152
   2,000,000
0
  
Now as per conventional accounting profit varies from quarter to quarter. In fact it decreases with decrease in payable balance [starting from 40,000 in first quarter and ending at 5,348 in last quarter] while under Islamic accounting case is different and profit is spread over the life of contract. Following is the analytical table under Islamic finance.

Analysis of payment under Islamic Accounting
Quarters
 Quarterly
Installments
 Quarterly
Profit
 Quarterly
Principal
 Receivables
Balance
0
                        -  
                    -  
                  -  
   2,000,000
1
             273,019
           23,019
      250,000
   1,750,000
2
             273,019
           23,019
      250,000
   1,500,000
3
             273,019
           23,019
      250,000
   1,250,000
4
             273,019
           23,019
      250,000
   1,000,000
5
             273,019
           23,019
      250,000
      750,000
6
             273,019
           23,019
      250,000
      500,000
7
             273,019
           23,019
      250,000
      250,000
8
             273,019
           23,019
      250,000
                  0
Total
         2,184,152
         184,152
   2,000,000
0

Now the issue is that profit under Islamic is apportioned equally, while under conventional higher earlier and lesser later on, based upon loan amount. The constraint under Islamic finance is of not using time value of money; hence return on investment under Islamic finance is lesser in earlier quarters and higher in later quarters. Let us assume that there was a default on installment number six for one month. Conventional bank charged further interest of PKR 2,730 and Islamic bank charged penalty of PKR 2,730. For conventional bank this amount will form part of earnings in eighth quarter while Islamic bank’s earning will remain same and penalty amount will go into charity.
The difference in recognition of profit is significant, and depositors of IFI would suffer in earlier years. Hence we have to follow conventional accounting in order to be competitive with conventional banks. This is the practice of current Islamic finance industry to follow accounting –matching- more with conventional than Islamic due to the hindrance of being competitive with conventional banks. This can only be taken away if profit rates on deposits as well as financing may not be matched with conventional fiancĂ© industry. Also it can be a problem with individual transactions or in short run only. In longer term revolving amounts would generate to smooth out the earnings, hence it is suggested to follow profit recognition based upon life of transaction instead of time value of money method [charging profit linked with amount of receivables].



[1] Profit charging must not be tied with any indicator including bank rate (KIBOR). Charging profit on the basis of KIBOR is allowed at the time of sale however amount of profit must be settled in Murabaha sale contract. It cannot be stipulated to change the receivable amount after conclusion of contract based on KIBOR or any other indicator. 

1 comment:

  1. FIGURE 2.1 IS NOT VISIBLE IN YOUR ARTICLE. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE PROVIDE IT.

    ReplyDelete