Question

An accrual of wages expense would have what effect on the balance sheet? A. Decrease liabilities and increase equity B. Increase assets and increase liabilities C. Increase liabilities and decrease equity D. Decrease assets and decrease liabilities E. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: C. Increase liabilities and decrease equity

Explanation:

Wages payable are wages that a firm's workers have earned, but have not yet been paid and using the accrual method of accounting, it is recorded with an adjusting entry at the end of the accounting period. This allows the amount to be included as a current liability in the balance sheet. An accrual of wages expense increase wages payable (a current liability) and decreases retained earnings (equity) resulting from the decrease in net income. Therefore, An accrual of wages expense would increase liabilities and decrease equity.

Answer 2

Answer:

C. Increase liabilities and decrease equity

Explanation:

Accrued wages are the wages expense which is incurred and no been paid yet. This expense is recorded as follow

Dr.  Wages Expense   $xxx

Cr.  Wages Payable    $xxx

Expense ultimately settles in the equity balance through net income and retained earning. It decreases the net income, retained earning and equity balance as well.

On the other hand the wages payable is a liability account, due to credit nature a credit entry will increase its balance.