Question

On October 1, Sponge Bob, Inc. received $240 up front from a customer for a yearly magazine subscription. Magazines are provided one per month.
Record the following journal entries.
a. Record the initial receipt of payment from the customer on October 1.
b. Record the adjusting entry for three months of magazines provided to the customer by December 31

Answer 1

Answer:

a.

Oct 1   Cash                                                         $240 Dr

               Unearned Subscription Revenue            $240 Cr

b.

Dec 31   Unearned Subscription Revenue                      $60 Dr

                    Subscription Revenue                                        $60 Cr

Explanation:

a.

The receipt of $240 upfront in advance from a customer is a liability for the business as the business has received cash for service that is yet to be provided. The business will record this as a debit to the cash account and credit to a liability account of  Unearned Service Revenue.

b.

On 31 december, the business has provided magazines for 3 months thus it has earned revenue for 3 months. The revenue for 3 months is,

Revenue per month = 240 / 12 = 20

For 3 months = 20*3  = 60

The business will record this as a credit to the subscription revenue and a debit to the unearned subscription revenue