Question

For each separate case below, follow the 3-step process for adjusting the accured expense account: Step 1: Determine what the current account balance equal. Step 2: Determine what the current account balance should equal. Step 3: Record adjusting journal entries for each of the following for year ended December 31. Assume no other adjusting entries are made during the year.
A. Salaries Payable. At year-end, salaries expense of $15,500 has been incurred by the company, but is not yet paid to employees.
B. Interest Payable. At its December 31 year-end, the company owes $250 of interest on a line-of-credit loan. That interest will not be paid until sometime in January of the next year.
C. Interest Payable. At its December 31 year-end, the company holds a mortgage payable that has incurred $875 in annual interest that is neither recorded nor paid. The company intends to pay the interest on January 7 of the next year.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1. Salaries Payable = $0

2. Salaries Payable should equal $15,500

3. Debit Salaries Expense $15,500

Credit Salaries Payable $15,500

To accrue unpaid salaries expense for the year.

B. 1. Interest Payable = $0

2. Interest Payable should equal $250

3. Debit Interest Expense $250

Credit Interest Payable $250

To accrue unpaid interest expense for the year.

C. 1. Interest Payable = $0

2. Interest Payable should equal $875

3. Debit Interest Expense $875

Credit Interest Payable $875

To accrue unpaid mortgage interest expense for the year.

Explanation:

Adjusting journal entries are used to recognize transactions and events that do not have any cash basis because they are required under the accrual basis of accounting.  The accrual basis requires that transactions are recorded in the period they occur without reference to cash payment or receipt.