The debts which a firm owes to outsiders are known as:

Firm debts

The amount realised from assets along with contribution from partners, if required, shall be utilised first to pay off the outside liabilities of the firm such as creditors, loans, bank overdraft, bill payables, etc. (it may be noted that secured loans have precedence over the unsecured loans); the balance should be applied to repay loans made by the partners to the firm. (in case the balance amount is not adequate enough to pay off such loans and advances, they are to be paid propartionately). The amount left thereafter is utilised in settlement of capital account balances. Then the surplus if any is divided among partners in their profit sharing ratio.