Adjusting Entries
Adjusting entries are journal entries recorded at the end of an accounting period to adjust income and expense accounts so that they comply with the accrual concept of accounting. Their main purpose is to match incomes and expenses to appropriate accounting periods.
The transactions which are recorded using adjusting entries are not spontaneous but are spread over a period of time. Not all journal entries recorded at the end of an accounting period are adjusting entries. For example, an entry to record a purchase on the last day of a period is not an adjusting entry. An adjusting entry always involves either income or expense account.
Types
There are following types of adjusting entries:
- Accruals:
These include revenues not yet received nor recorded and expenses not yet paid nor recorded. For example, interest expense on loan accrued in the current period but not yet paid. - Prepayments:
These are revenues received in advance and recorded as liabilities, to be recorded as revenue and expenses paid in advance and recorded as assets, to be recorded as expense. For example, adjustments to unearned revenue, prepaid insurance, office supplies, prepaid rent, etc. - Non-cash:
These adjusting entries record non-cash items such as depreciation expense, allowance for doubtful debts etc.
Example
This example is a continuation of the accounting cycle problem we have been working on. In the previous step we prepared an unadjusted trial balance. Here we will pass adjusting entries.
| Relevant information for the preparation of adjusting entries of Company A |
|---|
| Office supplies having original cost $4,320 were unused till the end of the period. Office supplies having original cost of $22,800 are shown on unadjusted trial balance. |
| Prepaid rent of $36,000 was paid for the months January, February and March. |
| The equipment costing $80,000 has useful life of 5 years and its estimated salvage value is $14,000. Depreciation is provided using the straight line depreciation method. |
| The interest rate on $20,000 note payable is 9%. Accrue the interest for one month. |
| $3,000 worth of service has been provided to the customer who paid advance amount of $4,000. |
The adjusting entries of Company A are:
| Date | Account | Debit | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 31 | Supplies Expense | 18,480 | |
| Office Supplies | 18,480 | ||
| Supplies Expense = $22,800 − $4,320 = $18,480 | |||
| Jan 31 | Rent Expense | 12,000 | |
| Prepaid Rent | 12,000 | ||
| Rent Expense = $36,000 ÷ 3 = $12,000 | |||
| Jan 31 | Depreciation Expense | 1,100 | |
| Accumulated Depreciation | 1,100 | ||
| Depreciation Expense = ($80,000 − $14,000) ÷ (5 × 12) = $1,100 | |||
| Jan 31 | Interest Expense | 150 | |
| Interest Payable | 150 | ||
| Interest Expense = $20,000 × (9% ÷ 12) = $150 | |||
| Jan 31 | Unearned Revenue | 3,000 | |
| Service Revenue | 3,000 | ||
An adjusted trial balance is prepared in the next step of accounting cycle.
by Irfanullah Jan, ACCA and last modified on