Outstanding expenses are those expenses that have been incurred during the accounting period but are yet to be paid. Basically, any expense which has become due for payment but is not paid will be called an outstanding expense. Outstanding expenses are treated as a liability as the business is yet tRead more
Outstanding expenses are those expenses that have been incurred during the accounting period but are yet to be paid. Basically, any expense which has become due for payment but is not paid will be called an outstanding expense.
Outstanding expenses are treated as a liability as the business is yet to make payment against them. Examples of outstanding expenses include outstanding rent, salary, wages, etc.
At the end of the accounting year, outstanding expenses have to be accounted for in the book of accounts so that the financial statements reflect the accurate profit/loss of the business.
Journal entry for recording outstanding expenses:
Expense A/c | Debit |
To Outstanding Expenses A/c | Credit |
(Being expenses outstanding at the end of the year) |
The concerned expense A/c is debited as there is an increase in expenses. Outstanding expenses are a liability, hence they are credited.
Let me give you a simple example,
Max, a sole proprietor pays 1,00,000 as salary for his employees at the end of every month. Due to the Covid-19 lockdown, he could not pay his employees’ salaries for March month. So the salary for March (1,00,000) will be treated as an outstanding expense. The following entry is made to record outstanding salaries for the year.
Salary A/c | 1,00,000 |
To Outstanding Salaries A/c | 1,00,000 |
(Being salaries outstanding at the end of the year) |
At the end of the year, outstanding salary will be adjusted in the P&L A/c and it will be shown as a Current Liability in the Balance Sheet.
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Definition Prepaid expenses are those expenses whose payments are done in advance which can be for the goods or services whose benefit will accrue in the subsequent accounting period. A prepaid expense is a current asset. prepaid expenses are classified under the head current assets in the balance sRead more
Definition
Prepaid expenses are those expenses whose payments are done in advance which can be for the goods or services whose benefit will accrue in the subsequent accounting period.
A prepaid expense is a current asset. prepaid expenses are classified under the head current assets in the balance sheet.
This is because they provide future economic benefits to the company. As such, they are assets that can be used to generate revenue in the future.
For example prepaid rent, prepaid insurance, etc.
Current assets are defined as cash and other assets that are expected to be converted into cash or consumed in the production of goods or rendering of services in the normal course of business.
Or in other words, we can say that the expected realization period is less than the operating cycle period although it is more than the period of 12 months from the date of the balance sheet.
For example, goods are purchased with the purpose to resell and earn a profit, debtors exist to convert them into cash i.e., receive the amount from them, bills receivable exist again for receiving cash against it, etc.
Current liabilities are liabilities that are payable generally within 12 months from the end of the accounting period or in other words which fall due for payment in a relatively short period.
For example bills payable, short-term loans, etc.
Why current assets and not a current liability?
Now let me try to explain to you that prepaid expenses are classified as current assets and not as a current liability which is as follows :
Example
Now let us take an example for explaining prepaid expenses which are mentioned below.
An insurance premium of Rs 50000 has been paid for one year beginning (previous year). The financial year ends on 31st march YYYY.
It means the premium for 6 months i.e., 1st April, YYYY(current year) to 30th September, YYYY(current year) amounting to Rs 25000 is paid in advance.
Thus, of premium paid in advance (Rs 25000) is a Prepaid Expense. It will be accounted as an expense in the financial year ending 31st march next year. In the balance sheet as of 31st march YYYY ( current year ) it will be shown as Current Asset.
Here is an extract of the profit /loss account and balance sheet of the above example:
Key points
There are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with prepaid expenses.