Issue of Debentures

Debentures may be issued at par or at a premium or at a discount. When these are issued at a premium, the amount of premium collected should be credited to Premium on Debenture Account. Since it would be a capital profit, the balance to the credit of this account subsequently should be transferred to the Capital Reserve Account. Where debentures have been issued at a discount, the amount of discount should be debited to Discount on Debenture Account so that the Debenture Account is credited with the full normal value of debentures. The balance in this account shall appear in the Balance Sheet until written off. Usually, the debentures will continue to stand in the books of the company. Where, however, the debentures are irredeemable, the amount of discount should be written off over a reasonable period of the time.