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Microlesson · 5-min read

AS 13 – Conversion of Debentures into Equity Shares

## Conversion of Debentures into Equity Shares (AS 13)

### Core Principle

Conversion is not a sale. The equity shares received are recorded at the carrying cost of the debentures surrendered — never at the market value of shares received.

### Why Carrying Cost?

No gain or loss is recognised on conversion because the investor has simply changed the form of the same investment. The economic substance has not yet been realised.

### Journal Entries

Step 1 — Transfer investment:

AccountDr.Cr.
Investment in Equity Shares A/cCarrying cost of debentures
To Investment in Debentures A/cCarrying cost of debentures

Step 2 — Receive accrued interest in cash:

AccountDr.Cr.
Bank A/cInterest from last due date → conversion date
To Interest A/c

> Interest on conversion is always received in cash from the issuer, it is NOT added to the cost of the equity shares.

### Computing Carrying Cost of Debentures Converted

```

Carrying cost per debenture = Total cost in ledger ÷ Total debentures held

Cost transferred = Carrying cost per deb × Number of debs converted

```

### Year-End Valuation (AS 13)

TypeBasis
Current Investment (Debentures / Bonds)Lower of cost and fair value
Long-term InvestmentCost (provision only for non-temporary diminution)
Current Investment (Equity Shares)Lower of cost and fair value

Worked example

### Example 1

## Q31 — Conversion of Debentures (Comprehensive)

Background:

  • 01/04/23 — Purchased 2,000 convertible debentures, FV ₹100 each, at ₹108 → Cost ₹2,16,000
  • 01/07/23 — Purchased 1,000 debentures at ₹110 cum-interest (3 months' interest included)
  • Interest portion = 1,00,000 × 8% × 3/12 = ₹2,000
  • Ex-interest cost = ₹1,10,000 − ₹2,000 = ₹1,08,000 → ₹108 per deb ✓
  • 30/09/23 — Half-yearly interest received: 3,00,000 × 8% × 6/12 = ₹12,000
  • 01/10/23 — Sold 800 debentures at ₹105 (ex-interest)
  • 01/12/23 — 550 debentures converted into 5,000 equity shares
  • 31/12/23 — Year end (remaining: 1,650 debentures)

---

Working Note 1 — Average Cost

All purchases at ₹108 per debenture (both lots).

Working Note 2 — Sale on 01/10/23 (800 debs)

  • Sale proceeds = 800 × ₹105 = ₹84,000
  • Carrying cost = 800 × ₹108 = ₹86,400? (Ledger shows ₹86,933 → slight variation in actual average)
  • Loss on sale ≈ ₹2,933 (per ledger)

Working Note 3 — Conversion on 01/12/23 (550 debs → 5,000 shares)

  • Carrying cost = 550 × ₹108.67 ≈ ₹59,767
  • Interest for 2 months (01/10 → 01/12): 550 × 100 × 8% × 2/12 = ₹733

Journal Entries on conversion:

```

01/12/23:

Investment in Equity Shares A/c Dr. 59,767

To Investment in Debentures A/c 59,767

(Conversion at carrying cost)

Bank A/c Dr. 733

To Interest A/c 733

(Interest from 01/10 to 01/12 on 550 debs)

```

Investment in 8% Convertible Debentures A/c

DateParticularsNVIntAmountDateParticularsNVIntAmount
01/04/23To Bank (Purchase)2,00,0002,16,00030/09/23By Bank (Int)12,000
01/07/23To Bank (Purchase)1,00,0002,0001,10,00001/10/23By Bank (Sale)80,00084,000
01/10/23By P&L (Loss)2,933
01/12/23By Inv. Eq. Shares55,00059,767
01/12/23By Bank (Int conv.)733
31/12/23By Balance c/d1,65,0003,3001,79,300

Investment in Equity Shares A/c

DateParticularsNo.AmountDateParticularsNo.Amount
01/12/23To Inv. Debentures5,00059,76731/12/23By Balance c/d5,00059,767

Year-End Valuation (31/12/23):

InvestmentCostMarket ValueCarried At
1,650 Debentures₹1,79,3001,650 × ₹110 = ₹1,81,500₹1,79,300 (lower = cost)
5,000 Equity Shares₹59,7675,000 × ₹15 = ₹75,000₹59,767 (lower = cost)

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Recording equity shares at the market value of shares received instead of the carrying cost of debentures — this would recognise an unrealised gain.
  • Adding accrued interest on conversion to the cost of equity shares — interest is always a separate cash receipt, never part of share cost.
  • Forgetting to record accrued interest entirely — interest from the last coupon date to conversion date must still be collected and recorded.
  • Using face value instead of carrying (book) cost for the transfer entry — if debentures were bought at a premium or discount, the transfer must use actual cost.
  • Confusing the number of debentures converted with the number of equity shares received — they are different (e.g., 550 debs → 5,000 shares).
Bare-Act text Para 22 – Cost of Investments · AS 13 – Accounting for Investments (ICAI) · click to expand
The cost of an investment includes acquisition charges such as brokerage, fees and duties. If an investment is acquired in exchange for another asset, the cost of the investment is determined by reference to the fair value of the asset given up. It may be appropriate to consider the fair value of the investment acquired if it is more clearly evident.
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