Adjusting Entries to Know for Financial Accounting I

Adjusting entries are crucial for accurate financial reporting. They ensure revenues and expenses are recorded in the right periods, aligning with key accounting principles. This process helps maintain the integrity of financial statements and reflects a company's true financial position.

1. Accrued Revenues

   • Revenues earned but not yet received in cash or recorded.
   • Recognized in the accounting period when earned, following the revenue recognition principle.
   • Involves adjusting entries to increase revenue and accounts receivable.

2. Accrued Expenses

   • Expenses incurred but not yet paid or recorded.
   • Recognized in the period they occur, aligning with the matching principle.
   • Requires adjusting entries to increase expenses and accounts payable.

3. Unearned Revenues

   • Cash received before services are performed or goods are delivered.
   • Initially recorded as a liability until the revenue is earned.
   • Adjusting entries decrease the liability and recognize revenue when earned.

4. Prepaid Expenses

   • Payments made in advance for goods or services to be received in the future.
   • Initially recorded as assets and expensed over time as the benefits are realized.
   • Adjusting entries decrease the asset and increase the expense.

5. Depreciation

   • The systematic allocation of the cost of a tangible asset over its useful life.
   • Reflects the wear and tear of assets, impacting net income and asset values.
   • Adjusting entries reduce the asset's book value and recognize depreciation expense.

6. Bad Debt Expense

   • An estimate of accounts receivable that may not be collectible.
   • Recognized to match expenses with revenues in the same period.
   • Adjusting entries increase bad debt expense and decrease accounts receivable.

7. Inventory Adjustments

   • Adjustments made to reflect the actual inventory on hand versus recorded amounts.
   • Necessary for accurate financial reporting and cost of goods sold calculation.
   • Involves adjusting entries to increase or decrease inventory and cost of goods sold.

8. Interest Expense Accrual

   • Interest incurred on loans or credit that has not yet been paid.
   • Recognized in the period it is incurred, regardless of payment timing.
   • Adjusting entries increase interest expense and interest payable.

9. Amortization of Intangible Assets

   • The gradual expense recognition of intangible assets over their useful lives.
   • Similar to depreciation but applies to non-physical assets like patents and trademarks.
   • Adjusting entries reduce the asset's book value and recognize amortization expense.

10. Deferred Tax Adjustments

    • Adjustments related to timing differences between accounting income and taxable income.
    • Reflects future tax liabilities or assets based on current transactions.
    • Adjusting entries establish deferred tax assets or liabilities on the balance sheet.