Question

On May 1, 2017, ABC Company signed a contract to provide 1 year of marketing research services to Anderson Company starting on May 1. Anderson Company paid the full year's price of $12,000 in cash on May 1. Prepare the entry that Anderson Company should make on May 1" to record this event.

Answer 1

Answer:

Debit          Cash Account                              $12,000

Credit         Unearned Revenues Account    $12,000

Being advance payment for marketing research services by Anderson

Explanation:

Revenue received before it is earned are reported as liability until it is earned, this is consistent with  accrual basis of accounting. when payment for service not yet performed or goods not yet delivered is received, such a payment must not recognized in the period of payment but in the period when that service is preformed or when the goods are delivered.  

The treatment for advance payment of income is a debit to cash or bank and a credit to unearned revenues account or income received in advance account.