GL - Reversing Journal Entry
Reversing Journals are special journals that are automatically reversed after a specified date. A reversing entry is a journal entry to “undo” an adjusting entry. When you create a reversing journal entry it nullifies the accounting impact of the original entry. Reversing entries make it easier to record subsequent transactions by eliminating the need for certain compound entries. See an example of reversing journal entry!
What is a Reversing Journal Entry?
A reversing entry is a journal entry to “undo” an adjusting entry. When you create a reversing journal entry it nullifies the accounting impact of the original entry. Reversing entries make it easier to record subsequent transactions by eliminating the need for certain compound entries.
Reversing entry can be created in two ways. The first method is to use the same set of accounts with contra debits and credits, meaning that the accounts and amounts that were debited in the original entry will be credited with the same amount in the reversing journal “nullifying” the accounting impact. The second method is to create a journal with the same accounts but with negative amounts that will also nullify the accounting impact of the original transaction.
Automated Process Requirements:
- The accounts have been set up in the chart of accounts.
- The reversal criteria have been specified in the original adjustment or accrual journal, otherwise, the user generally needs to submit the journal manually for reversal.
- The date of the reversing journal has already been specified and the accounting period for that date is available for creating and posting transactions.
Process Flow Steps
- Enter a journal that reverses in the next month.
- Select the appropriate reversal option.
- At the beginning of the next period system creates a reversing entry dated the first day of the next accounting period.
Example of a reversing entry:
The business has taken premises on rent. The rent payable for each month is $200 and the invoice is raised by the landlord on the 15th of the subsequent month. The accounting department takes 5 days to process the payment and deposit the amount in the Landlord’s account. December is the close of the accounting year and the invoice for rent for the month of December will be received by the company on the 15th of January and payment will be made by the 20th of January.
Closing Books: On the 31st of December, the accounting department passes the rent accrual accounting entry, debiting the “Rent Expense” and crediting the “Rent Payable Account”. This entry records the rent for the month of Dec and creates a liability for “Rent Payable” to the landlord next month. At the beginning of the next accounting year, on day one this entry is reversed by debiting the “Rent Payable” and crediting the “Rent Account”.
Making Payment: Once the payment for Rent is made on 20th January (Again by Debiting “Rent Expense” and Crediting “Bank Account”) this reversal will ensure that the rent for last year is not impacting the current year financials as the net impact on the “Rent Expense” account will be zero.
Related Links
You May Also Like
-
For any company that has a large number of transactions, putting all the details in the general ledger is not feasible. Hence it needs to be supported by one or more subsidiary ledgers that provide details for accounts in the general ledger. Understand the concept of the subsidiary ledgers and control accounts.
-
In this article, we will explain the general Ledger journal processing flow from entering journals to running the final financial reports. Understand the generic general ledger process flow as it happens in automated ERP systems. The accounting cycle explains the flow of converting raw accounting data to financial information whereas general ledger process flow explains how journals flow in the system.
-
Functional Organizational Structures
A functional organizational structure is a structure that consists of activities such as coordination, supervision and task allocation. The organizational structure determines how the organization performs or operates. The term organizational structure refers to how the people in an organization are grouped and to whom they report.
-
Defining Organizational Hierarchies
A hierarchy is an ordered series of related objects. You can relate hierarchy with “pyramid” - where each step of the pyramid is subordinate to the one above it. One can use drill up or down to perform multi-dimensional analysis with a hierarchy. Multi-dimensional analysis uses dimension objects organized in a meaningful order and allows users to observe data from various viewpoints.
-
Multi Currency - Functional & Foriegn
Currency is the generally accepted form of money that is issued by a government and circulated within an economy. Accountants use different terms in the context of currency such as functional currency, accounting currency, foreign currency, and transactional currency. Are they the same or different and why we have so many terms? Read this article to learn currency concepts.
-
An organizational design is the process by which a company defines and manages elements of structure so that an organization can control the activities necessary to achieve its goals. Good organizational structure and design helps improve communication, increase productivity, and inspire innovation. Organizational structure is the formal system of task and activity relationships to clearly define how people coordinate their actions and use resources to achieve organizational goals.
-
In every journal entry that is recorded, the debits and credits must be equal to ensure that the accounting equation is matched. In this article, we will focus on how to analyze and recorded transactional accounting information by applying the rule of credit and debit. We will also focus on some efficient methods of recording and analyzing transactions.
-
There are two commonly used methods of accounting - Cash Basis and the Accruals Basis. Understand the difference between accruals and reversals. Recap the earlier discussion we had on accruals and reversals and see the comparison between these two different but related accounting concepts. Understand how the action of accruing results in reversals subsequently in the accounting cycle.
-
A Company (also called corporation) may be understood as an association of persons in which money is contributed by them, to carry on some business or undertaking. Persons who contribute the money are called the shareholders or the members of the company. A corporation is an artificial being, invisible, intangible and existing only in contemplation of law. Being the mere creature of law, it possesses only those properties which the charter of its creation confers upon it.
-
GL - Different Type of Journals
Two basic types of journals exist: general and special. In this article, the learner will understand the meaning of journalizing and the steps required to create a journal entry. This article will also discuss the types of journals and will help you understand general journals & special journals. In the end, we will explain the impact of automated ERPs on the Journalizing Process.
