The accounting treatment in the event of death of a partner is similar to that in case of retirement of a partner, and that in case of death of a partner his claim is transferred to his executors and settled in the same manner as that of the retired partner. However, there is one major difference that, while the retirement normally takes place at the end of an accounting period, the death of a partner may occur any time.
Hence, in case of a death, his claim shall also include his share of profit or loss, interest on capital, interest on drawings (if any) from the date of the last Balance Sheet to the date of his death of these, the main problem relates to the calculation of profit for the intervening period (i.e., the period from date of the last balance sheet and the date of the partner’s death.
Since, it is considered cumbersome to close the books and prepare final account, for the period, the deceased partner’s share of profit may be calculated on the basis of last year’s profit (or average of past few years) or on the basis of sales.
