Accounting Principles

Weygandt • Kieso • Kimmel

Chapter 3

Adjusting the Accounts

 CHAPTER 3
ADJUSTING THE ACCOUNTS
After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
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
 TIME-PERIOD ASSUMPTION
STUDY OBJECTIVE 1

• The time period (or periodicity) assumption

– assumes the economic life of a business can be
divided into artificial time periods
• Accounting time periods
– generally month, a quarter, or a year
• Accounting time period of one year in length
– referred to as a fiscal year
 ACCRUAL BASIS OF
ACCOUNTING
STUDY OBJECTIVE 2

• Revenue recognition and matching

principles
– Used under the accrual basis of accounting
• Cash basis accounting
– revenue is recorded when cash is received
– expenses are recorded when cash is paid
• GAAP/IFRS requires accrual basis
accounting
– cash basis often causes misleading financial
statements.
 REVENUE RECOGNITION
PRINCIPLE

• Revenue recognition principle

– Revenue must be recognized in the
accounting period in which it is earned,
not just when money is exchanged.
– In a service business, revenue is earned at
the time the service is performed.
 THE MATCHING PRINCIPLE

• Expense recognition is the matching

principle.
• Efforts (expenses) must be matched with
accomplishments (revenues).

Expenses
Revenues incurred in
earned are offset earning
this month against.... the
revenue
GAAP RELATIONSHIPS IN REVENUE
AND EXPENSE RECOGNITION

Time-Period Assumption

Economic life of business

can be divided into
artificial time periods
Revenue-Recognition
Matching Principle
Principle
Revenue recognized in Expenses matched with revenues
the accounting period in in the same period when efforts
which it is earned are expended to generate revenues
 ADJUSTING ENTRIES
STUDY OBJECTIVE 3

Adjusting entries are made in order for:

• revenues to be recorded in the period in

which they are earned

• expenses to be recognized in the period in

which they are incurred
 ADJUSTING ENTRIES
STUDY OBJECTIVE 4

Adjusting entries
– required each time financial statements
are prepared

•Adjusting entries are classified as

– Prepayments (prepaid expenses and
unearned revenues) OR
– Accruals (accrued revenues and
accrued expenses)
 TYPES OF
ADJUSTING ENTRIES

Prepayments

• Prepaid Expenses
Expenses paid in cash - recorded as assets before
used or consumed
•Unearned Revenues
Cash received - recorded as liabilities before
the revenue is earned
 TYPES OF
ADJUSTING ENTRIES
Accruals

• Accrued Revenues
revenues earned but not yet received in cash or
recorded
• Accrued Expenses
expenses incurred but not yet paid in cash or
recorded
 TRIAL BALANCE

PIONEER ADVERTISING AGENCY

Trial Balance
October 31, 2021
Debit Credit
Cash $ 15,200
Advertising Supplies 2,500
Prepaid Insurance The Trial Balance 600
Office Equipment 5,000
Notes Payable is the starting place $ 5,000
Accounts Payable 2,500
Unearned Revenue for adjusting 1,200
C. R. Byrd, Capital 10,000
C. R. Byrd, Drawing entries. 500
Service Revenue 10,000
Salaries Expense 4,000
Rent Expense 900
$ 28,700 $ 28,700
 PREPAYMENTS
STUDY OBJECTIVE 5

Prepayments
•The first category of adjusting entry is prepayments.
•Required to record revenues earned and expenses
incurred
–Also ensures that assets and liabilities are not overstated
•The adjusting entry for prepayments:
–Increases an income statement account
–Decreases a balance sheet account
 ADJUSTING ENTRIES FOR
PREPAYMENTS
Adjusting Entries
Prepaid Expenses
Asset Expense
Unadjusted Credit Debit
Balance Adjusting Adjusting
Entry (-) Entry (+)

Unearned Revenues
Liability Revenue
Debit Unadjusted Credit
Adjusting Balance Adjusting
Entry (-) Entry (+)
 PREPAID EXPENSES

• Prepaid expenses
– 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
 PREPAID
EXPENSES

• Prior to adjustment
– assets are overstated and expenses are
understated
• Adjusting entry
– debit expense account
– credit asset account
• Examples
– prepaid expenses include supplies,
insurance, and depreciation
 ADJUSTING ENTRIES FOR
PREPAYMENTS SUPPLIES
ADJUSTMENT October 31, an inventory count reveals that $1,000
of $2,500 of supplies are still on hand.

JOURNAL ENTRY

Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit

Oct. 31 Advertising Supplies Expense 1,500
Advertising Supplies 1,500
(To record supplies used)

POSTING

Advertising Supplies Advertising Supplies Expense

Oct. 5 2,500 Oct. 31 1,500 Oct. 31 1,500
31 1,000
 ADJUSTING ENTRIES FOR
PREPAYMENTS INSURANCE
ADJUSTMENT October 31, an analysis of the policy reveals
that $50 of insurance expires each month.

JOURNAL ENTRY

Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit

Oct. 31 Insurance Expense 50
Prepaid Insurance 50
(To record insurance
expired)

POSTING
Prepaid Insurance
10 Insurance Expense 63
Oct. 4 600 Oct. 31 50 Oct. 31 50
31 550
 DEPRECIATION
Depreciation
• the allocation of the cost of an asset to
expense over its useful life in a rational
and systematic manner
• Equipment or a building
– viewed as a long-term prepayment of
services
– allocated in the same manner as other
prepaid expenses
 DEPRECIATION

• Depreciation
– is an estimate rather than a factual
measurement of the cost that has expired
• Recording depreciation
– Debit Depreciation Expense
– Credit Accumulated Depreciation (contra asset)

Depreciation Expense Accumulated Depreciation

XXX XXX
 DEPRECIATION

• Balance Sheet
– Accumulated Depreciation is offset against the
asset account
• Book Value
– difference between the cost of any depreciable
asset and its related accumulated depreciation is
the book value of the asset
– not market value
ADJUSTING ENTRIES FOR PREPAYMENTS
DEPRECIATION
ADJUSTMENT October 31, depreciation on the office equipment
is estimated to be $480 a year, or $40 per month.

JOURNAL ENTRY

Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit

Oct. 31 Depreciation Expense 40
Accumulated Depreciation - Office Equipment 40
(To record monthly depreciation)

POSTING
Accumulated Depreciation - Depreciation Expense
Office Equipment Oct. 31 40
Oct. 31 40
 UNEARNED
REVENUES

• Unearned revenues
– revenues received and recorded as liabilities
before they are earned
• Unearned revenues
– earned by rendering a service to a customer

• A liability-revenue account relationship

exists with unearned revenues
 UNEARNED
REVENUES
• Prior to adjustment
– liabilities are overstated and revenues are
understated
• Adjusting entry
– debit to a liability account
– credit to a revenue account
• Examples
– rent, magazine subscriptions and customer
deposits for future services
 ADJUSTING ENTRIES FOR
PREPAYMENTS UNEARNED
REVENUES
ADJUSTMENT October 31, analysis reveals that, of $1,200
in fees, $400 has been earned in October.

JOURNAL ENTRY
Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit
Oct. 31 Unearned Revenue 400
Service Revenue 400
(To record revenue for services provided)

POSTING
Unearned Revenue Service Revenue
Oct. 31 400 Oct. 2 1,200 Oct. 31 10,000
31 800 31 400
 ACCRUALS
STUDY OBJECTIVE 6

• Second category of adjusting entries is

accruals
• Adjusting entries
– required to record revenues earned and
expenses incurred in the current period
• Adjusting entry for accruals
– increase both a balance sheet and an income
statement account
 ADJUSTING ENTRIES FOR
ACCRUALS

Adjusting Entries
Accrued Revenues
Asset Revenue
Debit Credit
Adjusting Adjusting
Entry (+) Entry (+)
Accrued Expenses
Expense Liability
Debit Credit
Adjusting Adjusting
Entry (+) Entry (+)
 ACCRUED
REVENUES
• Accrued revenues
– accumulate with the passing of time or through
services performed but not billed or collected
– An asset-revenue account relationship exists
– Prior to adjustment, assets and revenues are
understated
• Adjusting entry
– debit an asset account
– credit a revenue account
 ADJUSTING ENTRIES FOR ACCRUALS
ACCRUED REVENUES
ADJUSTMENT October 31, the agency earned $200
for advertising services that were not
billed to clients before October 31.
JOURNAL ENTRY
Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit
Oct. 31 Accounts Receivable 200
Service Revenue 200
(To accrue revenue for services provided)

POSTING

Accounts Receivable Service Revenue

Oct. 31 200 Oct. 31 10,000
31 400
31 200
31 10,600
 ACCRUED EXPENSES

• Accrued expenses
– Expenses incurred but not paid yet
– A liability-expense account relationship exists
– Prior to adjustment, liabilities and expenses
are understated
• Adjusting Entry
– debit an expense account
– credit a liability account
 ADJUSTING ENTRIES FOR ACCRUALS
ACCRUED INTEREST
ADJUSTMENT October 31, the portion of the interest to be accrued
on a 3-month note payable is calculated to be $50.

JOURNAL ENTRY

Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit

Oct. 31 Interest Expense 50
Interest Payable 50
(To accrue interest on notes payable)

POSTING

Interest Expense Interest Payable

Oct. 31 50 Oct. 31 50
 ADJUSTING ENTRIES FOR ACCRUALS
ACCRUED SALARIES
ADJUSTMENT October 31, accrued salaries
are calculated to be $1,200.

JOURNAL ENTRY
Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit
Oct. 31 Salaries Expense 1,200
Salaries Payable 1,200
(To record accrued salaries)

POSTING

Salaries Expense Salaries Payable

Oct. 26 4,000 Oct. 31 1,200
31 1,200
31 5,200
 SUMMARY OF ADJUSTING
ENTRIES

Type of Account Accounts before Adjusting

Adjustment Relationship Adjustment Entry

1 Prepaid Assets and Assets overstated Dr. Expenses

expenses expenses Expenses understated Cr. Assets
2 Unearned Liabilities and Liabilities overstated Dr. Liabilities
revenues revenues Revenues understated Cr. Revenues
3 Accrued Assets and Assets understated Dr. Assets
revenues revenues Revenues understated Cr. Revenues
4 Accrued Expenses and Expenses understated Dr. Expenses
expenses liabilities Liabilities understated Cr. Liabilities
Which of the following statements concerning
accrual-basis accounting is incorrect?
a. Accrual-basis accounting follows the revenue recognition
principle.
b. Accrual-basis accounting is the method required by
generally accepted accounting principles.
c. Accrual-basis accounting recognizes expenses when they
are paid.
d. Accrual-basis accounting follows the matching principle.

Chapter 3
Which of the following statements concerning
accrual-basis accounting is incorrect?
a. Accrual-basis accounting follows the revenue recognition
principle.
b. Accrual-basis accounting is the method required by
generally accepted accounting principles.
c. Accrual-basis accounting recognizes expenses when
they are paid.
d. Accrual-basis accounting follows the matching principle.

Chapter 3
 ADJUSTED TRIAL
BALANCE
STUDY OBJECTIVE 7

• Adjusted Trial Balance

– prepared after all adjusting entries have
been journalized and posted
– purpose is to prove equality of the total debit
and credit balances in the ledger after
adjustments have been made
• Financial statements
– prepared directly from the adjusted trial balance
TRIAL BALANCE AND ADJUSTED
TRIAL BALANCE COMPARED
PIONEER ADVERTISING AGENCY
Adjusted Trial Balance
October 31, 2021
Before After
Adjustment Adjustment
Debit Credit Debit Credit
Cash $ 15,200 $ 15,200
Accounts Receivable 200
Advertising Supplies 2,500 1,000
Prepaid Insurance 600 550
Office Equipment 5,000 5,000
Accumulated Depreciation - Office Equipment $ 40
Notes Payable $ 5,000 5,000
Accounts Payable 2,500 2,500
Interest Payable 50
Unearned Revenue 1,200 800
Salaries Payable 1,200
C. R. Byrd, Capital 10,000 10,000
C. R. Byrd, Drawing 500 500
Service Revenue 10,000 10,600
Salaries Expense 4,000 5,200
Advertising Supplies Expense 1,500
Rent Expense 900 900
Insurance Expense 50
Interest Expense 50
Depreciation Expense 40
$ 28,700 $ 28,700 $ 30,190 $ 30,190
 PREPARING FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
Financial statements are prepared directly from the
adjusted trial balance
• Income statement
– use the revenue and expense accounts

• Owner’s Equity Statement

– use the owner’s capital and drawing accounts and the net income
(or net loss) from the Income Statement

• Balance sheet
– use asset and liability accounts and ending owner’s capital
balance reported in Owner’s Equity Statement
 PREPARATION OF THE INCOME STATEMENT
AND THE OWNER’S EQUITY STATEMENT FROM
THE ADJUSTED TRIAL BALANCE
PIONEER ADVERTISING AGENCY
Adjusted Trial Balance
October 31, 2021
Debit Credit
Cash $ 15,200
Accounts Receivable 200
Advertising Supplies 1,000
Prepaid Insurance 550
Office Equipment 5,000
Accumulated Depreciation - Office Equipment $ 40
Notes Payable 5,000
Accounts Payable 2,500
Interest Payable 50
Unearned Revenue 800
Salaries Payable 1,200
C. R. Byrd, Capital 10,000
C. R. Byrd, Drawing 500
Service Revenue 10,600
Salaries Expense 5,200
Advertising Supplies Expense 1,500
Rent Expense 900
Insurance Expense 50
Interest Expense 50
Depreciation Expense 40
$ 30,190 $ 30,190
 PREPARATION OF THE INCOME STATEMENT AND
THE OWNER’S EQUITY STATEMENT FROM THE
ADJUSTED TRIAL BALANCE

PIONEER ADVERTISING AGENCY

Income Statement
For the Month Ended October 31, 2021
Revenues
Fees earned $ 10,600

Expenses
Salaries expense $ 5,200
Advertising supplies expense 1,500
Rent expense 900
Insurance expense 50
Interest expense 50
Depreciation expense 40
Total expenses 7,740
Net income $ 2,860

The income statement is prepared from the revenue and expense accounts.
PREPARATION OF THE INCOME STATEMENT AND THE
OWNER’S EQUITY STATEMENT FROM THE ADJUSTED
TRIAL BALANCE

PIONEER ADVERTISING AGENCY

Adjusted Trial Balance
October 31, 2021
Debit Credit
Cash $ 15,200
Accounts Receivable 200
Advertising Supplies 1,000
Prepaid Insurance 550
Office Equipment 5,000
Accumulated Depreciation – Office Equipment $ 40
Notes Payable 5,000
Accounts Payable 2,500
Interest Payable 50
Unearned Revenue 800
Salaries Payable 1,200
C. R. Byrd, Capital 10,000
C. R. Byrd, Drawing 500
Service Revenue 10,600
Salaries Expense 5,200
Advertising Supplies Expense 1,500
Rent Expense 900
Insurance Expense 50
Interest Expense 50
Depreciation Expense 40
$ 30,190 $ 30,190
 PREPARATION OF THE INCOME STATEMENT AND THE
OWNER’S EQUITY STATEMENT FROM THE ADJUSTED
TRIAL BALANCE

PIONEER ADVERTISING AGENCY

Owner’s Equity Statement
For the Month Ended October 31, 2021

C.R. Byrd, Capital, October 1 $ -0-

Add: Investments $ 10,000
Net income 2,860 12,860
12,860
Less: Drawings 500
C.R . Byrd, Capital, October 31 $ 12,360

The owner’s equity statement is prepared from the owner’s capital and
drawing accounts and the net income (or net loss) shown in the income
statement.
PREPARATION OF THE BALANCE SHEET FROM
THE ADJUSTED TRIAL BALANCE

PIONEER ADVERTISING AGENCY

Adjusted Trial Balance
October 31, 2021
Debit Credit
Cash $ 15,200
Accounts Receivable 200
Advertising Supplies 1,000
Prepaid Insurance 550
Office Equipment 5,000
Accumulated Depreciation – Office Equipment $ 40
Notes Payable 5,000
Accounts Payable 2,500
Interest Payable 50
Unearned Revenue 800
Salaries Payable 1,200
C. R. Byrd, Capital 10,000
C. R. Byrd, Drawing 500
Service Revenue 10,600
Salaries Expense 5,200
Advertising Supplies Expense 1,500
Rent Expense 900
Insurance Expense 50
Interest Expense 50
Depreciation Expense 40
$ 30,190 $ 30,190
PREPARATION OF THE BALANCE SHEET
FROM THE ADJUSTED TRIAL BALANCE
PIONEER ADVERTISING AGENCY
Balance Sheet
October 31, 2021

Assets Liabilities and Owner’s Equity

Cash $ 15,200 Liabilities

Accounts receivable 200 Notes payable $ 5,000
Advertising supplies 1,000 Accounts payable 2,500
Prepaid insurance 550 Interest payable 50
Office equipment $ 5,000 Unearned fees 800
Less: Accumulated Salaries payable 1,200
depreciation 40 4,960 Total liabilities 9,550
Owner’s equity
C.R. Byrd, Capital 12,360
Total liabilities and owner’s
Total assets $ 21,910 equity $ 21,910

The balance sheet is then prepared from the asset and liability accounts
and the ending owner’s capital balance as reported in the owner’s equity
statement.
 ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT
OF PREPAID EXPENSES AND
UNEARNED REVENUES
• Alternative treatment uses Income
Statement accounts initially
– Debit the expense for prepaid expenses
when cash is paid
– Credit the revenue at the time cash is
received
• After adjustments, alternative treatment of
prepaid expenses and unearned revenues
will result in the same effect to financial
statements as the initial entries to the
balance sheet accounts STUDY OBJECTIVE 8
 ALTERNATIVE ADJUSTMENTS
FOR PREPAYMENTS SUPPLIES
ADJUSTMENT October 31, an inventory count reveals that
$1,000 of $2,500 of supplies are still on hand.

JOURNAL ENTRY

Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit

Oct. 31 Advertising Supplies 1,000
Advertising Supplies Expense 1,000
(To record supplies
inventory)

POSTING
Advertising Supplies Advertising Supplies Expense
Oct. 31 1,000 Oct. 5 2,500 Oct. 31 1,000
31 1,500
ALTERNATIVE ADJUSTMENTS FOR PREPAYMENTS
UNEARNED REVENUES
ADJUSTMENT October 31, analysis reveals that, of $1,200
in fees, $400 has been earned in October.

JOURNAL ENTRY

Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit

Oct. 31 Service Revenue 800
Unearned Revenue 800
(To record unearned revenue)

POSTING
Unearned Revenue Service Revenue
Oct. 31 800 Oct. 31 800 Oct. 2 1,200
31 400
 SUMMARY OF BASIC
RELATIONSHIPS FOR PREPAYMENTS
Type of Account Reason for Account Balances Adjusting
Adjustment Relationship Adjustment before Adjustment Entry

1 Prepaid Assets and a Prepaid expenses Assets overstated Dr Expenses

Expenses Expenses initially recorded in Expenses understated Cr Assets
asset accounts have
been used.
b Prepaid expenses Assets understated Dr Assets
initially recorded in Expenses overstated Cr Expenses
expense accounts
have not been used.
2 Unearned Liabilities and a Unearned revenues Liabilities overstated Dr Liabilities
Revenues Revenues initially recorded in Revenues understated Cr Revenues
liability accounts
have been earned.
b Unearned revenues Liabilities understated Dr Revenues
initially recorded in Revenues overstated Cr Liabilities
revenue accounts
have not been earned.
Which of the statements below is not true?

1. An adjusted trial balance should show ledger account

balances.
2. An adjusted trial balance can be used to prepare
financial statements.
3. An adjusted trial balance proves the mathematical
equality of debits and credits in the ledger.
4. An adjusted trial balance is prepared before all
transactions have been posted from the journal.

Chapter 3
Which of the statements below is not true?

1. An adjusted trial balance should show ledger account

balances.
2. An adjusted trial balance can be used to prepare
financial statements.
3. An adjusted trial balance proves the mathematical
equality of debits and credits in the ledger.
4. An adjusted trial balance is prepared before all
transactions have been posted from the journal.

Chapter 3