Understanding the Adjusting Entry to Record an Accrued Revenue

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Accrued revenue is a type of account that records revenue that has been earned but not yet received. This can happen when a business provides a service or delivers a product, but the customer hasn't paid yet.

To record accrued revenue, an adjusting entry is made at the end of the accounting period. This entry increases the revenue account and decreases the cash account.

The adjusting entry for accrued revenue is made when the revenue is earned, not when the customer pays. This is because the revenue is already earned, and the payment is just a matter of when it will be received.

The adjusting entry for accrued revenue is a critical part of the accounting process, as it ensures that revenue is accurately recorded and matched with the period in which it was earned.

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Definition

Accrued income, also known as accrued revenue, refers to income that has already been earned but has not yet been collected.

Expand your knowledge: Accrued Income Journal Entry

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Under the accrual basis of accounting, income is recognized when earned, regardless of when collected. This means that if a company has already earned the right to demand payment, an adjusting entry is necessary to record the income and a receivable.

The key concept to remember is that income is recognized when earned, not when collected. This is why adjusting entries are made at the end of every period to ensure that all income is properly recorded.

Here's a simple way to remember the adjusting entry for accrued revenue:

Dr. Receivable account

Cr. Income account

For example, if a company has a tenant who pays $2,000 per month in rent, and the rent for December has not yet been collected, the adjusting entry would be to record $2,000 as rent income and a receivable of $2,000.

Adjusting Entries for Accrued Revenue

Accrued revenue is income that's already been earned, but not yet collected. This is where adjusting entries come in – they help ensure that revenue is properly recorded in the correct accounting period.

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In the accrual basis of accounting, revenue is recognized when earned, not when collected. So, if you've already earned the right to demand payment, but no entry has been made in the journal, an adjusting entry is necessary.

For example, let's say a client owes you $2,000 in rental fees for December, but you haven't received the payment yet. An adjusting entry would be made to record the rent income and a receivable.

Here's an example of what that entry might look like:

You can see that the rent income is being recorded, while the receivable is being debited to reflect the amount owed by the client.

Accrued revenue can also arise from services performed in one month, but billed in another. For instance, if you completed a project in February, but billed the client in March, an adjusting entry would be made to record the revenue in February.

To accurately reflect your income for the month, you need to show the revenue you generated, minus expenses. This is why making an adjusting entry to move revenue from a "holding account" (accrued receivables) to a revenue account is necessary.

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The example adjusting entry for this scenario might look like this:

By making this adjusting entry, you're properly recording the revenue earned in February, even though the client hasn't paid yet.

In summary, accrued revenue is income that's already been earned, but not yet collected. Adjusting entries are necessary to record this revenue in the correct accounting period, ensuring that your financial records accurately reflect your business's income.

On a similar theme: Accrued Interest Income

Recording Accrued Revenue

Recording Accrued Revenue involves making an adjusting entry to show revenue generated in one accounting period but not recognized until a later period. You need to move the revenue from a "holding account" (accrued receivables) to a revenue account.

Accrued revenues are services performed in one month but billed in another, requiring an adjusting entry to show the revenue in the month the service was completed. This is an accrued revenue adjusting entry.

To accurately reflect income for the month, you need to show the revenue you generated, even if you didn't get paid yet. You incurred expenses making the bags or providing the service, so you need to match the revenue with those expenses.

The adjusting entry looks like this: you record the anticipated income, and then when you get paid, you move the money from accrued receivables to cash. This ensures your books are balanced and accurately reflect your income.

Key Concepts

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Accrued revenues are services performed in one month but billed in another, requiring an adjusting entry to show the revenue in the month the service was completed.

Accrued revenues are recorded in a "holding account" called accrued receivables until the client pays the invoice.

Revenue should be recognized in the month it's earned, not when it's received, to accurately reflect income for the month.

The adjusting entry moves the revenue from accrued receivables to a revenue account, and then from revenue to cash when payment is received.

Accrued revenues can be thought of as money owed to you by a client for services performed, but not yet paid.

In the example scenario, the business makes custom tote bags in February and invoices the client, but doesn't receive payment until March 7.

The revenue generated in February needs to be recognized in February to accurately reflect income for the month.

A fresh viewpoint: Accrue Payment

Matthew McKenzie

Lead Writer

Matthew McKenzie is a seasoned writer with a passion for finance and technology. He has honed his skills in crafting engaging content that educates and informs readers on various topics related to the stock market. Matthew's expertise lies in breaking down complex concepts into easily digestible information, making him a sought-after writer in the finance niche.

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