Accounting Question - Page 4

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #185188
    number_cruncher_24
    Participant

    Hi – I was wondering if someone could help me with an accounting question – here’s the scenario: Our fiscal year ends on May 31. We received a bill for our insurance policy on May 20. The bill is for insurance for the period of 6/15 through 12/15. We enter all bills into the system when received. When I enter this bill into the system, it will result in a credit to A/P but which account should be debited? It’s not an expense for the current fiscal year because it is for a future period, but we won’t pay it until after 5/31, so it’s not a prepaid yet either.

Viewing 15 replies - 46 through 60 (of 212 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #551748
    mla1169
    Participant

    What that quote actually means is signing a contract in itself is not enough to book a liability. An invoice from a vendor is enough to book a payable. Always.

    So sorry but I've been an accountant since 1996.

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #551749
    Gatorbates
    Participant

    I side 100% with mla1169.

    I anticipate the Drama Ninja is getting into his workout clothes right about now.

    Licensed Florida CPA:
    B: 71, 73, 79
    A: 83
    R: 78 (expired), 77
    F: 74, 74, 80

    It's finally freaking over.

    #551750
    Gatorbates
    Participant

    I side 100% with mla1169.

    I anticipate the Drama Ninja is getting into his workout clothes right about now.

    Licensed Florida CPA:
    B: 71, 73, 79
    A: 83
    R: 78 (expired), 77
    F: 74, 74, 80

    It's finally freaking over.

    #551751
    mla1169
    Participant

    No need for drama. Seriously if you held the invoice and didn't enter it until after year end it would probably fly with the auditors. It is correct though to enter it to prepaid.

    There would never be payables entered to prepaid if you couldn't call it a prepaid asset until the cash was disbursed.

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #551752
    mla1169
    Participant

    No need for drama. Seriously if you held the invoice and didn't enter it until after year end it would probably fly with the auditors. It is correct though to enter it to prepaid.

    There would never be payables entered to prepaid if you couldn't call it a prepaid asset until the cash was disbursed.

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #551753
    HerdCPA
    Member

    I agree. Payables shouldn't be entered to prepaid since they are not paid. Does that sentence not sound incorrect to you? You are entering PREPAID (already paid) assets and a LIABILITY (not paid) together? Link: https://www.accountingcoach.com/accounts-payable/explanation/2 “Regardless of the company's size, the mission of accounts payable is to pay only the company's bills and invoices that are legitimate and accurate. This means that before a vendor's invoice is entered into the accounting records and scheduled for payment, the invoice must reflect:

    what the company had ordered

    what the company has received

    the proper unit costs, calculations, totals, terms, etc.”

    #551754
    HerdCPA
    Member

    I agree. Payables shouldn't be entered to prepaid since they are not paid. Does that sentence not sound incorrect to you? You are entering PREPAID (already paid) assets and a LIABILITY (not paid) together? Link: https://www.accountingcoach.com/accounts-payable/explanation/2 “Regardless of the company's size, the mission of accounts payable is to pay only the company's bills and invoices that are legitimate and accurate. This means that before a vendor's invoice is entered into the accounting records and scheduled for payment, the invoice must reflect:

    what the company had ordered

    what the company has received

    the proper unit costs, calculations, totals, terms, etc.”

    #551755
    RUGUY22
    Participant

    Dr. Prepaid Expense

    Cr. Accounts Payable

    At least that's what we do at the company I work for. I thought it strange when I first started working here, as it differs to some extent from what I learned in my MSA program. But apparently this is what's done in practice.

    IL Candidate

    AUD - 98 (11/11/13)
    BEC - 69 (4/19/14); 83 (7/21/14)
    FAR - 88 (11/26/14)
    REG - 90 (2/26/15)

    Ethics - 98 (3/9/15)

    Using the CPAexcel review course and Wiley Test Bank.

    #551756
    RUGUY22
    Participant

    Dr. Prepaid Expense

    Cr. Accounts Payable

    At least that's what we do at the company I work for. I thought it strange when I first started working here, as it differs to some extent from what I learned in my MSA program. But apparently this is what's done in practice.

    IL Candidate

    AUD - 98 (11/11/13)
    BEC - 69 (4/19/14); 83 (7/21/14)
    FAR - 88 (11/26/14)
    REG - 90 (2/26/15)

    Ethics - 98 (3/9/15)

    Using the CPAexcel review course and Wiley Test Bank.

    #551757
    HerdCPA
    Member

    If it is done the way you are saying it will eventually be correct as the following entries would be made:

    Dr. Expense

    Cr. Prepaid Expense

    Dr. A/P

    Cr. Cash

    However, what I am saying is that as of the balance sheet date before the expense is incurred the assets and liabilities are overstated.

    #551758
    HerdCPA
    Member

    If it is done the way you are saying it will eventually be correct as the following entries would be made:

    Dr. Expense

    Cr. Prepaid Expense

    Dr. A/P

    Cr. Cash

    However, what I am saying is that as of the balance sheet date before the expense is incurred the assets and liabilities are overstated.

    #551759
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Anyone else find it odd that Lax exited the conversation as Herd entered. Strangely enough, they agree too.

    #551760
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Anyone else find it odd that Lax exited the conversation as Herd entered. Strangely enough, they agree too.

    #551761
    HerdCPA
    Member

    I am the only person here posting actual links and information related to the subject instead of just stating my opinion and I am the person getting called out as troll. That is funny to me.

    #551762
    HerdCPA
    Member

    I am the only person here posting actual links and information related to the subject instead of just stating my opinion and I am the person getting called out as troll. That is funny to me.

Viewing 15 replies - 46 through 60 (of 212 total)
  • The topic ‘Accounting Question - Page 4’ is closed to new replies.