Question:

What is Share Capital?

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$\text{Share Capital}$ represents permanent equity financing. Unlike debt, it does not require fixed interest payments and is not returned to investors except through a buyback or company liquidation.
Updated On: Jun 22, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Core Financial Definition:
Share capital (also known as equity capital) represents the total amount of permanent funds raised by a corporate entity by issuing equity or preference shares to investors in exchange for cash or other assets.

Step 2: Classifying Share Capital Types:

Share capital is divided into several categories on a corporate balance sheet:
Authorized Capital: The maximum capital a company is legally permitted to raise, as defined in its Memorandum of Association (MoA).
Issued Capital: The portion of authorized capital offered to investors.
Subscribed Capital: The portion of issued capital accepted by investors.
Paid-up Capital: The actual money received from shareholders.

Step 3: Accounting Presentation:

Share capital is recorded under Shareholder's Funds on the Liabilities side of the balance sheet and represents the permanent equity base of the company.
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