Question

At the end of the fiscal year, the usual adjusting entry to update Prepaid Rent for the portion of the benefit that was used up / expired was accidentally omitted. Which of the following statements is true?
a. total assets at the end of the year will be understated.
b. insurance expense will be overstated
c. stockholders' equity at the end of the year will be understated.
d. net income for the year will be overstated.

Answer 1

Answer:

d. net income for the year will be overstated.

Explanation:

The prepaid rent account is used to record the amount paid in advance for rent. Once the amount is paid, the entries required are

Debit Prepaid rent

Credit Cash account

On subsequent use of the rent, the required entries are

Debit Rent expense

Credit Prepaid rent

As such where at the end of the fiscal year, the usual adjusting entry to update Prepaid Rent for the portion of the benefit that was used up / expired was accidentally omitted, net income for the year will be overstated as the rent expense that would have been posted to reduce it would have been omitted.