What accounts are debts incurred but not yet paid?
|
Current liabilities are debts that are due to be paid within one year or the operating cycle, whichever is longer. Further, such obligations will typically involve the use of current assets, the creation of another current liability, or the providing of some service. Show This enhanced definition is expansive enough to capture less obvious obligations pertaining to items like customer prepayments, amounts collected for and payable to third parties, the portion of long-term debt due within one year or the operating cycle (whichever is longer), accrued liabilities for expenses incurred but not yet paid, and contingent liabilities. However, the definition is not meant to include amounts not yet “incurred.” For example, salary to be earned by employees next year is not a current liability (this year) because it has yet to be “incurred.” Investors, creditors, and managers should pay close attention to current liabilities as they reflect imminent demands on resources.
The Operating CycleRemember from Chapter 4 that the operating cycle is the length of time it takes to turn cash back into cash. That is, a business starts with cash, buys inventory, sells goods, and eventually collects the sales proceeds in cash. The length of time it takes to do this is the operating cycle. Take careful note of how the operating cycle is included in the above definition of current liabilities: “one year or the operating cycle, whichever is longer.” For most businesses, the operating cycle is less than one year, but not always. A furniture manufacturer may have to buy and cure wood before it can be processed into a quality product. This could cause the operating cycle to go beyond one year. If that is the case, then current liabilities might include obligations due in more than one year.
Typical Current ObligationsMyExceLab Accounts Payable are the amounts due to suppliers relating to the purchase of goods and services. This is perhaps the simplest and most easily understood current liability. Although an account payable may be supported by a written agreement, it is more typically based on an informal working relation where credit has been received with the expectation of making payment in the very near term.  The Current Portion of Long-term Debt is another frequently encountered current obligation. When a note or other debt instrument is of long duration, it is reported as a long-term liability. However, the amount of principal which is to be paid within one year or the operating cycle, whichever is longer, should be separated and classified as a current liability. For example, a $100,000 long-term note may be paid in equal annual increments of $10,000, plus accrued interest. At the end of any given year, the $10,000 principal due during the following year should be reported as a current liability (along with any accrued interest), with the remaining balance shown as a long-term liability. Prepayments by Customers arise from transactions such as selling magazine subscriptions in advance, selling gift-cards, selling tickets well before a scheduled event, and other similar items where the customer deposits money in advance of receiving the expected good or service. These items represent an obligation on the part of the seller to either return the money or deliver a service in the future. As such, the prepayment is reported as “unearned revenue” within the current liability section of the balance sheet. Recall, from earlier chapters, that the unearned revenue is removed and revenue is recognized as the goods and services are provided. Obligations to be Refinanced deserve special consideration. A long-term debt may have an upcoming maturity date within the next year. Ordinarily, this note would be moved to the current liability section. However, companies often renew such obligations, in essence, borrowing money to repay the maturing note. Should currently maturing long-term debt that is subject to refinancing be shown as a current or a long-term liability? To resolve this issue, accountants have developed very specific rules. A currently maturing long-term obligation is to be shown as a current liability unless (1) the company intends to renew the debt on a long-term basis and (2) the company has the ability to do so (ordinarily evidenced by a firm agreement with a competent lender).
Did you learn?Provide a definition for current liabilities.What is the operating cycle?Identify typical current liabilities.Why is the current portion of long-term debt presented as a current liability, and how are such amounts calculated?What is an accrued liability?Why is a customer prepayment shown as a current liability?Describe the nature and financial statement presentation of collections for third parties. What are debts incurred but not yet paid?Accruals are things—usually expenses—that have been incurred but not yet paid for. Accrued expenses are expenses, such as taxes, wages, and utilities, that have accrued but not yet been paid for. Accrued interest is an example of an accrued expense (or accrued liability) that is owed but not yet paid for (or received).
What type of account is unpaid bills?Accounts receivable (AR) are the balance of money due to a firm for goods or services delivered or used but not yet paid for by customers. Accounts receivable are listed on the balance sheet as a current asset.
What account is accrued expense?Understanding Accrued Expenses
Since accrued expenses represent a company's obligation to make future cash payments, they are shown on a company's balance sheet as current liabilities.
What type of account is unpaid expenses in the balance sheet?Expenses are recognized under the accrual method of accounting when they are incurred—not necessarily when they are paid. Also called accrued liabilities, these expenses are realized on a company's balance sheet and are usually current liabilities.
|
