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Adjusting The Accounts: Learning Objectives

The document provides an overview of adjusting entries and the adjusted trial balance. It defines key accounting concepts like the time period assumption, accrual basis, and matching principle. It explains that adjusting entries are needed to record revenues earned and expenses incurred in the appropriate period. Major types of adjusting entries are prepayments (prepaid expenses and unearned revenues) and accruals (accrued revenues and accrued expenses). Examples of adjusting entries for each are also provided. Finally, it states that an adjusted trial balance proves the equality of debit and credit balances after adjustments, and financial statements can be prepared directly from it.

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Arif Hasan
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68 views

Adjusting The Accounts: Learning Objectives

The document provides an overview of adjusting entries and the adjusted trial balance. It defines key accounting concepts like the time period assumption, accrual basis, and matching principle. It explains that adjusting entries are needed to record revenues earned and expenses incurred in the appropriate period. Major types of adjusting entries are prepayments (prepaid expenses and unearned revenues) and accruals (accrued revenues and accrued expenses). Examples of adjusting entries for each are also provided. Finally, it states that an adjusted trial balance proves the equality of debit and credit balances after adjustments, and financial statements can be prepared directly from it.

Uploaded by

Arif Hasan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Act 201: Study guide

Chapter 3 Adjusting The Accounts


Learning Objectives
1 Explain the time period assumption. 2 Explain the accrual basis of accounting. 3 Explain why adjusting entries are needed. 4 Identify the major types of adjusting entries. 5 Prepare adjusting entries for prepayments. 6 Prepare adjusting entries for accruals. 7 Describe the nature and purpose of an adjusted trial balance.

Explain the time period assumption.


The time period (or periodicity) assumption assumes that the economic life of a business can be divided into artificial time periods. Accounting time periods are generally a month, a quarter, or a year. The accounting time period of one year in length is referred to as a fiscal year.

Explain the accrual basis of accounting.


The revenue recognition and matching principles are used under the accrual basis of accounting. Under cash basis accounting, revenue is recorded when cash is received, and expenses are recorded when cash is paid. Generally accepted accounting principles require accrual basis accounting because the cash basis often causes misleading financial statements.

Revenue Recognition Principle


The revenue recognition principle dictates that revenue be recognized in the accounting period in which it is earned. -1-

Act 201: Study guide In a service business, revenue is considered to be earned at the time the service is performed.

The Matching Principle


The practice of expense recognition is referred to as the matching principle. The matching principle dictates that efforts (expenses) be matched with accomplishments (revenues).

Explain why adjusting entries are needed.


Adjusting entries are made in order for: 1 Revenues to be recorded in the period in which they are earned, and for...... 2 Expenses to be recognized in the period in which they are incurred.

Identify the major types of adjusting entries.


Adjusting entries are required each time financial statements are prepared. Adjusting entries can be classified as 1 prepayments (prepaid expenses or unearned revenues) 2 accruals (accrued revenues or accrued expenses)

Types Of Adjusting Entries


Prepayments 1 Prepaid Expenses Expenses paid in cash and recorded as assets before they are used or consumed 2 Unearned Revenues cash received and recorded as liabilities before revenue is earned Accruals 1 Accrued Revenues Revenues earned but not yet received in cash or recorded 2 Accrued Expenses Expenses incurred but not yet paid in cash or recorded

Prepare adjusting entries for prepayments.


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Act 201: Study guide Prepayments are either prepaid expenses or unearned revenues. Adjusting entries for prepayments are required to record the portion of the prepayment that represents 1 the expense incurred or 2 the revenue earned in the current accounting period.

Prepaid Expenses Prepaid expenses are expenses paid in cash and recorded as assets before they are used or consumed. Prepaid expenses expire with the passage of time or through use and consumption. An asset-expense account relationship exists with prepaid expenses. Prior to adjustment, assets are overstated and expenses are understated. The adjusting entry results in a debit to an expense account and a credit to an asset account. Examples of prepaid expenses include supplies, insurance, and depreciation.

Depreciation
Depreciation is the allocation of the cost of an asset to expense over its useful life in a rational and systematic manner. The purchase of equipment or a building is viewed as a long-term prepayment of services and, therefore, is allocated in the same manner as other prepaid expenses. Depreciation is an estimate rather than a factual measurement of the cost that has expired. In recording depreciation, Depreciation Expense is debited and a contra asset account, Accumulated Depreciation, is credited In the balance sheet, Accumulated Depreciation is offset against the asset account. The difference between the cost of any depreciable asset and its related accumulated depreciation is referred to as the book value of the asset.

Unearned Revenues
Unearned revenues are revenues received and recorded as liabilities before they are earned. -3-

Act 201: Study guide Unearned revenues are subsequently earned by rendering a service to a customer. A liability-revenue account relationship exists with unearned revenues. Prior to adjustment, liabilities are overstated and revenues are understated. The adjusting entry results in a debit to a liability account and a credit to a revenue account. Examples of unearned revenues include rent, magazine subscriptions, and customer deposits for future services.

Prepare adjusting entries for accruals.


The second category of adjusting entries is accruals. Adjusting entries for accruals are required to record revenues earned and expenses incurred in the current period. The adjusting entry for accruals will increase both a balance sheet and an income statement account.

Accrued Revenues
Accrued revenues may accumulate with the passing of time or through services performed but not billed or collected. An asset-revenue account relationship exists with accrued revenues. Prior to adjustment, assets and revenues are understated. The adjusting entry requires a debit to an asset account and a credit to a revenue account.

Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses are expenses incurred but not paid yet. A liability-expense account relationship exists Prior to adjustment, liabilities and expenses are understated The Adjusting Entry results in a debit to an expense account and a credit to a liability account

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Act 201: Study guide

Describe the nature and purpose of an adjusted trial balance.


An Adjusted Trial Balance is prepared after all adjusting entries have been journalized and posted. Its purpose is to prove the equality of the total debit and credit balances in the ledger after all adjustments have been made. Financial statements can be prepared directly from the adjusted trial balance.

Preparing Financial Statements


Financial statements can be prepared directly from the adjusted trial balance. 1 The income statement is prepared from the revenue and expense accounts. 2 The owners equity statement is derived from the owners capital and drawing accounts and the net income (or net loss) from the income statement. 3 The balance sheet is then prepared from the asset and liability accounts and the ending owners capital balance as reported in the owners equity statement.

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Act 201: Study guide

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