Arrange the following financial steps in the correct chronological sequence when winding up and dissolving a partnership firm.A. Payment of loans advanced by PartnersB. Settlement of secured outsider liabilitiesC. Realization of assets into cashD. Final settlement of partner capital accountsE. Payment of unsecured outsider liabilitiesChoose the correct answer from the options given below:
- AA, B, C, D, E
- BC, B, E, A, D
- CB, C, D, E, A
- DD, E, A, B, C
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
Section 48 of the Indian Partnership Act, 1932 mandates a specific order for settling accounts during a firm's dissolution:\begin{enumerate}\item \textbf{C. Realization of assets}: First, sell all available assets to generate cash.\item \textbf{B. Secured outsider liabilities}: Pay off external debts that are backed by security.\item \textbf{E. Unsecured outsider liabilities}: Settle remaining general external debts and trade payables.\item \textbf{A. Partner loans}: Repay any internal loans advanced by partners to the firm.\item \textbf{D. Partner capital accounts}: Finally, return the remaining cash balances to the partners to settle their capital accounts.\end{enumerate}This establishes the clear procedural order: C, B, E, A, D.