Kerala Plus Two Computerised Accounting Notes Chapter 5 Accounting Software Package – GNUKhata

Chapter 5: Accounting Software Package – GNUKhata

📌 Chapter 5 – Important Topics:
  • Introduction – Free & Open Source Software (FOSS)
  • Features of GNUKhata
  • Create Organisation & Create Admin
  • Groups and Sub‑groups (Balance Sheet, P&L)
  • System Generated Ledger Accounts
  • Creating, Editing, Deleting Ledger Accounts
  • Voucher Types and Voucher Entry (F4–F9, Ctrl+1..4)
  • Reports – Ledger, Trial Balance, P&L, Balance Sheet
  • Treatment of Opening Stock & Closing Stock
  • Bank Reconciliation Statement (BRS)
  • Shortcut Keys (Complete List)
  • Previous Year Exam Questions (2018–2024)

1. Introduction to GNUKhata

GNU Khata is free and open source software for accounting and inventory management. GNU Khata was developed by Digital Freedom Foundation, a public charitable trust, in association with ICFOSS.

Simple Explanation: GNUKhata is a completely free accounting software. You can legally download, install, and modify it without paying any fees – perfect for small businesses and students.

Complementary Explanation: Unlike proprietary software (Tally, SAP), GNUKhata gives you freedom. You can use it on Linux, Windows, and even customise the source code if you are a developer.

📌 Live Example 1 – FOSS Advantage: A small trading firm in Kerala cannot afford expensive software. They download GNUKhata, install it on three computers, and start maintaining full accounts – zero cost.
📌 Live Example 2 – Student Learning: Plus Two commerce students can install GNUKhata on their home computers. They practise voucher entry, view final accounts, and become job‑ready – all legally.
💭 Think: Why do governments and schools prefer FOSS like GNUKhata instead of proprietary software?
Simple Hints: Lower cost, freedom to share, no licensing restrictions, transparency.

Features of GNUKhata

  • Free and open source accounting software.
  • Based on double‑entry bookkeeping.
  • All financial reports can be prepared.
  • Display of dual ledger facility.
  • Attachment of source documents to vouchers.
  • Linking of sales and purchase transactions to invoice.
  • Export/import of data from spreadsheet.
  • Password security and data audit facility.
Exam Practice (2 marks): List any two features of GNUKhata.
Answer: 1. Free and open source. 2. Password security and data audit. 3. Attachment of source documents to vouchers.
Hint: Refer to the bulleted list above.

2. Create Organisation

Step‑1 Open GNUKhata: Applications → Office → GNU Khata (or desktop icon).
Step‑2 Create Organisation: Click “Create organisation” or press Shift+Ctrl+R. Fill details:

  • Organisation Name
  • Case (As‑is, Upper, Lower, Title)
  • Organisation Type (Profit Making / Not for Profit)
  • Financial Year (start date, end date auto)
  • Inventory – tick only if needed (we use “Accounts only”)
  • Proceed
Simple Explanation: Before you can enter any transaction, you must tell GNUKhata the name of your business, whether it is a company or a club, and the starting date of your financial year.

Complementary Explanation: The “Case” option controls how the organisation name appears – useful for consistent printing.

📌 Live Example 1 – Sole Proprietor: “Ramesh & Co.” – Profit Making, Financial Year 01‑04‑2024 to 31‑03‑2025, Inventory – No (Accounts only).
📌 Live Example 2 – Charity: “Helping Hand Trust” – Not for Profit, Financial Year 01‑04‑2024 to 31‑03‑2025.
💭 Think: What happens if you select “Not for Profit” instead of “Profit Making”?
Simple Hints: GNUKhata changes some group names (Capital → Corpus, Profit & Loss A/c → Income & Expenditure A/c).
Exam Practice (2 marks): Specify the path to create an Organisation in GNUKhata.
Answer: On the home screen, click “Create Organisation” or press Shift+Ctrl+R, then fill the required details and click Proceed.
Hint: The first step after opening the software.

3. Create Admin

Creating Admin is mandatory. Fill: User Name, Password, Confirm Password, Security Question, Answer. Click “Create & Login”.

Simple Explanation: Admin is the super‑user who controls the software – creating users, setting passwords, and managing security.

Complementary Explanation: Without an admin, no one can log in. This prevents unauthorised access to your accounts.

📌 Live Example 1 – School Accountant: User Name: “accounts_hss”, Password: “****”, Security Question: “Your first school?” – creates a secure login.
📌 Live Example 2 – Business Owner: Owner creates himself as admin, then later adds a data entry operator with limited rights.
💭 Think: Why does GNUKhata ask for a security question and answer?
Simple Hints: To recover the password if you forget it – essential for data safety.

4. Groups and Sub‑groups

GNUKhata has 13 pre‑defined groups (9 Balance Sheet, 4 P&L) and 16 sub‑groups. Groups cannot be deleted or added; sub‑groups can be created under existing groups.

Balance Sheet Groups

Group NameSub‑Group Name
Fixed AssetsBuilding, Furniture, Land, Plant & Machinery
InvestmentsInvestment in Bank Deposits, Investment in Shares & Debentures
Loans (Asset)None
Current AssetsBank, Cash, Inventory, Loans & Advances, Sundry Debtors
Miscellaneous Expenses (Assets)None
Capital / CorpusNone
Loans (Liability)Secured, Unsecured
ReservesNone
Current LiabilityProvisions, Sundry Creditors for Expenses, Sundry Creditors for Purchases

Profit & Loss Account Groups

Group NameSub‑Group Name
Direct IncomeNone
Direct ExpenseNone
Indirect IncomeNone
Indirect ExpenseNone
Simple Explanation: Groups are like folders – they tell the software where each account belongs. For example, “Cash” belongs to Current Assets; “Salary” belongs to Indirect Expenses.

Complementary Explanation: When you create a ledger, you must select the correct group. This decides whether the account appears in the Balance Sheet or Profit & Loss Account.

📌 Live Example 1 – New Sub‑group: A transport company has many vehicles. Under “Fixed Assets” they create a sub‑group “Vehicles” – then create “Truck A/c”, “Bus A/c” under it.
📌 Live Example 2 – Correct Grouping: “Wages” must be under Direct Expenses – then it appears in Trading A/c. If wrongly put under Indirect Expenses, Gross Profit will be wrong.
💭 Think: Can you create a new main group (like “Intangible Assets”)?
Simple Hints: No – GNUKhata has fixed main groups. You can only create sub‑groups under the existing 13 groups.

5. System Generated Ledger Accounts

GNUKhata automatically creates four ledgers when an organisation is created. These cannot be modified or deleted.

  1. Closing Stock – Current Assets (Inventory)
  2. Opening Stock – Direct Expenses
  3. Profit & Loss Account (or Income & Expenditure A/c for NPO) – Direct Income
  4. Stock at the Beginning – Current Assets (Inventory)
Simple Explanation: These four accounts are pre‑loaded. You don’t need to create them – they are ready for use.

Complementary Explanation: “Stock at the Beginning” is a temporary account used when you roll over closing stock to the next year.

📌 Live Example 1 – Opening Stock Entry: After creating an organisation, go to Master → Edit Account → Stock at the Beginning, enter the opening stock value.
📌 Live Example 2 – Closing Stock Entry: At year end, pass Journal Voucher: Dr Closing Stock, Cr Profit & Loss A/c.
💭 Think: Why can’t we delete the Profit & Loss Account?
Simple Hints: It is the core account for calculating net profit – every income and expense transfers to it.
Exam Practice (2 marks): Name the system generated ledger accounts in GNU Khata.
Answer: 1. Opening Stock, 2. Closing Stock, 3. Profit & Loss Account (or Income & Expenditure A/c), 4. Stock at the Beginning.
Hint: These are created automatically; you cannot delete them.

6. Creating Ledger Accounts

Path: Master → Create Account (or F2).
Select Group → Sub‑group → Enter Account Name → Opening Balance (if any) → Save.

Display Ledger Accounts

Report → List of Accounts (Ctrl+7).

Editing a Ledger Account

Master → Edit Account (F3) → Select Account → Edit → Change Name/Opening Balance (cannot change Group/Sub‑group).

Deleting a Ledger Account

Master → Edit Account → Select Account → Delete → Confirm.
Cannot delete: System generated accounts & accounts already used in a voucher.

Simple Explanation: Think of ledgers as pages in a physical ledger book. You create one page for Cash, one for Sales, one for Rent, etc. Each page belongs to a group.

Complementary Explanation: Opening balance is entered only for assets, liabilities, and capital – never for income/expense accounts.

📌 Live Example 1 – Creating Cash Account: Group: Current Assets, Sub‑group: Cash, Account Name: “Cash in Hand”, Opening Balance: 50000 → Save.
📌 Live Example 2 – Editing a Mistake: You typed “Salery” instead of “Salary”. Master → Edit Account → Find “Salery” → Edit → Correct to “Salary” → Save.
💭 Think: Why can’t you change the group of an existing ledger account?
Simple Hints: Changing the group would move the account from Balance Sheet to P&L or vice versa, making past reports inconsistent.
Exam Practice (2 marks): How to delete a Ledger Account in GNUKhata?
Answer: 1. Go to Master menu → Edit Account. 2. Select the ledger to delete. 3. Click Delete button and confirm. (Cannot delete system accounts or accounts with transactions).
Hint: Use F3 to quickly open Edit Account.

7. Voucher Entry

Recording a transaction through a voucher is called voucher entry. GNUKhata has pre‑defined voucher types – you cannot create new types.

Voucher TypeUsed To RecordShortcut Key
ReceiptsReceipt of cash/chequeF4
PaymentsPayments by cash/chequeF5
SalesCash/credit salesF6
PurchaseCash/credit purchaseF7
ContraCash deposit/withdrawal, fund transferF8
JournalRectification, transfer, adjustment, credit purchase/sale of fixed assetsF9
Sales ReturnReturn of goods by customerCtrl+1
Purchase ReturnReturn of goods to supplierCtrl+2
Credit NoteReduction in amount due from customerCtrl+3
Debit NoteReduction in amount payable to supplierCtrl+4

Finding and Editing a Voucher

Voucher → Find/Edit Voucher (F10) → Select criteria → Search → Select voucher → Edit → Save.

Deleting a Voucher

Find the voucher → Delete → Confirm. Deleted vouchers cannot be restored.

Add Account while in Voucher Entry

Click “Add Account” → Select Group, Sub‑group, Account Name, Opening Balance → Save → Return to voucher.

Simple Explanation: A voucher is like a paper slip where you record one transaction. You choose the right slip (Receipt, Payment, etc.), fill the accounts and amounts, and save.

Complementary Explanation: You can add multiple debit and credit lines in one voucher – useful for compound entries.

📌 Live Example 1 – Payment Voucher: Paid rent ₹5,000 by cheque. Voucher → Payment (F5): Dr Rent A/c 5000, Cr Bank A/c 5000.
📌 Live Example 2 – Contra Voucher: Deposited cash ₹10,000 into bank. Voucher → Contra (F8): Dr Bank A/c 10000, Cr Cash A/c 10000.
💭 Think: Why do we use separate voucher types instead of just Journal for everything?
Simple Hints: Voucher types help in quick data entry, automatic grouping in reports, and easier auditing.
Exam Practice (2 marks): Name the voucher type used to record:
a) Cash paid into bank ₹10,000
b) Salary paid ₹7,000
Answer: a) Contra Voucher (F8) b) Payment Voucher (F5).
Hint: Cash to bank is Contra; Salary paid is Payment.

8. Reports

From the Report menu you can view Ledger, Trial Balance, Profit & Loss Account, Balance Sheet, List of Accounts, List of Deleted Vouchers, etc.

Display Ledger Account

Report → Ledger → Select Account → From date, To date → View (F11).

Display Trial Balance

Report → Trial Balance → From date, To date → Select Type → View (F12).

Display Profit & Loss Account / Income & Expenditure Account

Report → Profit & Loss → From date, To date → View.

Display Balance Sheet

Report → Balance Sheet → Select Type → View.

Simple Explanation: Reports are the final output – they show the financial health of your business. GNUKhata generates them instantly with correct grouping.

Complementary Explanation: You can print these reports or export them to PDF/Spreadsheet.

📌 Live Example 1 – Monthly Trial Balance: At the end of each month, the accountant opens Report → Trial Balance, enters 01‑04‑2024 to 30‑04‑2024, clicks View – gets the summary of all ledger balances.
📌 Live Example 2 – Balance Sheet for Bank Loan: The business needs a loan; they generate the Balance Sheet as on 31‑03‑2024 and submit it to the bank.
💭 Think: Why does the Trial Balance always tally in GNUKhata?
Simple Hints: The software follows double‑entry strictly – every debit has a credit, so the total always matches.

9. Opening Stock & Closing Stock

Method of entering Opening Stock

  1. Master → Edit Account → Select “Stock at the Beginning” → Edit → Enter Opening Balance.
  2. Voucher → Journal Voucher (F9) → Debit “Opening Stock”, Credit “Stock at the Beginning”.

Method of entering Closing Stock

Voucher → Journal Voucher (F9) → Debit “Closing Stock”, Credit “Profit & Loss A/c”.

Simple Explanation: Opening stock is an expense, closing stock is an asset. At year end, we remove closing stock from expenses and show it as an asset.

Complementary Explanation: The “Stock at the Beginning” account is a temporary bridge used only during the roll‑over process.

📌 Live Example 1 – First Year Computerisation: Business has opening stock ₹20,000. Step 1: Edit Stock at the Beginning – enter 20000. Step 2: Journal – Dr Opening Stock 20000, Cr Stock at the Beginning 20000.
📌 Live Example 2 – Year‑End Closing Stock: Stock valued at ₹35,000. Journal – Dr Closing Stock 35000, Cr P&L A/c 35000.
💭 Think: What is the purpose of the “Stock at the Beginning” account? Why not directly debit Opening Stock?
Simple Hints: It maintains audit trail – you can see exactly when the opening balance was introduced.

10. Bank Reconciliation Statement (BRS)

Path: Master → Bank Reconciliation Statement (Alt+R) → Select Account → Set Reconciliation Period → View → Enter Clearance Date.

Causes of Difference between Cash Book and Pass Book

  • Cheque issued but not presented for payment
  • Cheque deposited but not collected
  • Direct payment by a customer to the bank
  • Interest on deposit credited by the bank
  • Dividend, rent, etc. collected by the bank
  • Payment made on behalf of the customer
  • Bank charges as per pass book
  • Bills receivables discounted but dishonoured
  • Interest on overdraft debited in the pass book

Terms associated with BRS

  • Transaction Date: The date the transaction is recorded in cash book.
  • Clearance Date: The date the transaction appears in the pass book.
  • Reconciliation Period: The period for which BRS is prepared.
  • Uncleared Items: Transactions where clearance date is after the reconciliation period.
Simple Explanation: BRS finds why your cash book balance differs from the bank statement. You mark which cheques have cleared, and GNUKhata automatically calculates the adjusted balance.

Complementary Explanation: You must enter clearance dates for all bank transactions – this is the key to automated reconciliation.

📌 Live Example 1 – Uncleared Cheque: Cheque issued ₹10,000 on 25‑03‑2024, but not presented until 05‑04‑2024. When preparing BRS for March, this cheque is uncleared – it appears in the reconciliation statement.
📌 Live Example 2 – Direct Credit: A customer directly deposited ₹5,000 into the bank. This is recorded in pass book but not in cash book. BRS shows this as an addition to cash book balance.
💭 Think: Why is it necessary to prepare BRS even when using computerised accounting?
Simple Hints: The bank statement is external; errors, omissions, and timing differences still occur. BRS ensures accuracy.
Exam Practice (2 marks): State the accounting groups of the following accounts in GNU Khata:
(a) Cash in hand (b) Machinery
Answer: (a) Current Assets (b) Fixed Assets.
Hint: Cash is current asset; Machinery is fixed asset.

11. Shortcut Keys in GNUKhata

UseKeys
Activate Toolbar TabF1
Create Ledger AccountF2
Find/Edit Ledger AccountF3
Receipt VoucherF4
Payment VoucherF5
Sales VoucherF6
Purchase VoucherF7
Contra VoucherF8
Journal VoucherF9
Find/Edit VoucherF10
View Ledger AccountF11
Display Trial BalanceF12
Sales Returns VoucherCtrl+1
Purchases Returns VoucherCtrl+2
Credit Note VoucherCtrl+3
Debit Note VoucherCtrl+4
Cost Centre StatementCtrl+5
Cash Flow StatementCtrl+6
List of AccountsCtrl+7
Create/Edit Cost CentreAlt+P
Bank Reconciliation StatementAlt+R
ManualAlt+M
Master TabCtrl+M
Inventory TabCtrl+I
Transaction TabCtrl+T
Report TabCtrl+R
Administration TabCtrl+D
Help TabCtrl+H
Sign OutCtrl+S / Ctrl+L
Simple Explanation: Shortcut keys make data entry super fast. Once you learn F4–F9, you can enter vouchers without touching the mouse.

Complementary Explanation: Memorise these for your practical exams – examiners often ask shortcut keys for specific vouchers.

📌 Live Example 1 – Quick Voucher Entry: A clerk enters 100 transactions per day. Using F4 (Receipt), F5 (Payment), F6 (Sales) etc., they finish in half the time.
📌 Live Example 2 – Exam Tip: In the computer lab, press F6 for Sales voucher, F7 for Purchase – you won’t need to navigate menus.
💭 Think: Why is there no shortcut key for Credit Note and Debit Note (Ctrl+3, Ctrl+4) even though they are rarely used?
Simple Hints: Consistency – all voucher shortcuts are either F‑keys or Ctrl+number. The developers included all vouchers.

അധ്യായം 5: അക്കൗണ്ടിംഗ് സോഫ്റ്റ്വെയർ പാക്കേജ് – GNUKhata (മലയാളം)

📌 പ്രധാന പാഠഭാഗങ്ങൾ:
  • ആമുഖം – സ്വതന്ത്ര ഓപ്പൺ സോഴ്സ് സോഫ്റ്റ്വെയർ (FOSS)
  • ഗ്നുഖാതയുടെ സവിശേഷതകൾ
  • ഓർഗനൈസേഷൻ സൃഷ്ടിക്കുക & അഡ്മിൻ സൃഷ്ടിക്കുക
  • ഗ്രൂപ്പുകളും ഉപഗ്രൂപ്പുകളും (ബാലൻസ് ഷീറ്റ്, ലാഭനഷ്ട അക്കൗണ്ട്)
  • സിസ്റ്റം ജനറേറ്റഡ് ലെഡ്ജർ അക്കൗണ്ടുകൾ
  • ലെഡ്ജർ അക്കൗണ്ടുകൾ സൃഷ്ടിക്കുക, എഡിറ്റ് ചെയ്യുക, ഇല്ലാതാക്കുക
  • വൗച്ചറുകളുടെ തരങ്ങളും വൗച്ചർ എൻട്രിയും (F4–F9, Ctrl+1..4)
  • റിപ്പോർട്ടുകൾ – ലെഡ്ജർ, ട്രയൽ ബാലൻസ്, ലാഭനഷ്ട അക്കൗണ്ട്, ബാലൻസ് ഷീറ്റ്
  • ഓപ്പണിംഗ് സ്റ്റോക്ക് & ക്ലോസിംഗ് സ്റ്റോക്ക് – രീതികൾ
  • ബാങ്ക് അനുരഞ്ജന പ്രസ്താവന (BRS)
  • ഷോർട്ട്കട്ട് കീകൾ (പൂർണ്ണ പട്ടിക)
  • മുൻവർഷ പരീക്ഷാ ചോദ്യങ്ങൾ (2018–2024)

📘 Important Exam Questions – Chapter 5 (2018–2024)

Q1 (2018 Mar – 1 Mark): Name any Two default ledgers available in Gnu Khata.
Answer: Cash Account, Profit and Loss Account.
Q2 (2018 Say – 1 Mark): Find the odd one among the computer software given below:
(a) GNU Khata (b) TALLY (c) SAP (d) Libre Office Base
Answer: (d) Libre Office Base (it is a DBMS, others are accounting software).
Q3 (2019 Mar – 1 Mark): In an accounting software, the ledger "Cash" comes under group.
a) Investments b) Current assets c) Fixed assets d) Capital
Answer: b) Current assets.
Q4 (2019 Say – 1 Mark): Identify the group under which depreciation account is to be created in an accounting software.
(a) Current Asset (b) Fixed Asset (c) Direct Expenses (d) Indirect Expenses
Answer: (d) Indirect Expenses.
Q5 (2020 Mar, 2020 Say, 2022 Mar – 2 Marks): Name the system generated ledger accounts in GNU khata.
Answer: 1. Opening Stock 2. Closing Stock 3. Profit and Loss Account (Some versions include: Stock at the Beginning).
Q6 (2021 Say – 2 Marks): Name the voucher type used to record the following transactions in Gnu Khata.
a) Cash paid into bank Rs.10,000
b) Salary paid Rs.7,000
Answer: a) Contra Voucher b) Payment Voucher.
Q7 (2022 Mar – 2 Marks): State the accounting groups of the following accounts in GNU Khata:
(a) Cash in hand (b) Machinery
Answer: (a) Current Assets (b) Fixed Assets.
Q8 (2022 Say – 2 Marks): How to delete a Ledger Account in GNUKhata?
Answer: 1. Go to Master menu > Edit Account. 2. Select the ledger to delete. 3. Click Delete button and confirm. (Cannot delete system accounts or accounts with transactions).

Chapter 6: Database Management System (LibreOffice Base)

📌 Chapter 6 – Important Topics:
  • Introduction – Database, DBMS, Relational Database
  • Creating a New Database in LibreOffice Base
  • Creating Tables (Design View & Wizard)
  • Data Types in Base (Text, Number, Date, etc.)
  • Setting Primary Key & Saving Tables
  • Defining Relationships
  • Creating Forms (Wizard & Design View)
  • Subforms, List Boxes, Push Buttons, Check Boxes, Option Buttons
  • Creating Queries (Wizard & Design View)
  • Computational Fields in Queries
  • Creating Reports (Static & Dynamic)
  • Previous Year Exam Questions (2018–2024)

🔍 ഈ അധ്യായങ്ങളിലെ എല്ലാ ആശയങ്ങളും ലളിതമായ വിശദീകരണം, രണ്ട് ലൈവ് ഉദാഹരണങ്ങൾ, ഒരു ചിന്താ ചോദ്യം, പരീക്ഷാ പരിശീലനം എന്നിവയോടെ വിശദീകരിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു. GNUKhata, LibreOffice Base എന്നിവ പരിശീലിക്കുക.

About the author

SIMON PAVARATTY
PSMVHSS Kattoor, Thrissur

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