Question

Supplies are assets until they are used. When they are used up, their costs are reported as expenses. The costs of unused supplies are recorded in a Supplies asset account. Supplies are often grouped by purpose—for example, office supplies and store supplies. Office supplies include paper, toner, and pens. Store supplies include packaging and cleaning materials.

Answer 1

Question Completion:

Describe the accounting treatment of Supplies Expenses.

Answer:

Supplies Expenses are debited while the Supplies account is credited with the supplies expenses.

Explanation:

This accounting treatment of Supplies Expenses reduces the balance of the Supplies account by the amount of supplies used during the period.  Thus, what is left in the Supplies account is the cost of the unused supplies at the end of the accounting period.  The treatment also accords with the accrual concept, which requires that expenses are matched to the revenues that they generate in the period.