2.18 Accrued Revenue - Interest Revenue Example
Accrued Revenue Example: Interest Revenue
Problem Setup
Desert Incorporated accepted a 6-month, , APR note receivable from a customer on November 1 in exchange for services.
Desert's year-end is December 31.
The customer will pay principal and interest at maturity.
Key Concepts
Note Receivable: Desert is owed money; they're giving a loan to their customer.
Terms: 6 months, starting November 1, ending April 30 of the next year. Amount: , APR: .
APR (Annual Percentage Rate): The total interest rate for one year.
Year-End: December 31, important for adjusting journal entries.
Maturity: April 30, when the customer pays back the loan plus interest.
Interest Payment: The customer pays the total interest for the six-month life of the loan at maturity (April 30), not in monthly installments.
November 1: Original Journal Entry
Recognize the note receivable on the company's books.
Note Receivable: An asset account; assets have a normal debit balance.
Debit note receivable for .
Sales Revenue: Desert provided services in exchange for the note.
Under the revenue recognition principle, recognize the revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied.
Credit sales revenue for .
Accruals Before Cash (ABCD): Even though the customer isn't paying cash upfront, revenue is recorded.
Date
Account
Debit
Credit
November 1
Note Receivable
10,000
Explanation
To record services provided in exchange for note receivable
December 31: Adjusting Journal Entry at Year-End
Desert already provided the services and recorded the revenue.
Adjusting journal entries settle accounts with balances that change due to the passage of time.
Desert is earning interest as time goes by (due to the APR).
Between November 1 and December 31, two months have passed.
Calculation:
Desert has earned $200 of interest, but the customer will not pay until maturity.
Interest Receivable: We are owed for interest we have earned; it's an asset account with a normal debit balance.
Interest Revenue: Recognize the revenue earned due to the passage of time.
If the adjustment isn't made, assets and revenues would be understated.
Date
Account
Debit
Credit
December 31
Interest Receivable
200
Explanation
To accrue interest revenue for two months
April 30: Entry at Maturity
The customer pays principal and interest.
Desert receives cash.
Cash Amount: Principal + Total Interest over six months.
Calculation:
6 months interest:
Total payment:
Close out the note receivable (it's no longer a receivable because we've been paid).
Adjust the interest receivable account.
Between December 31 and April 30, four months have passed.
Calculate interest earned over those four months:
The cash received represents the principal, interest earned from November 1 to December 31, and interest earned in the four months of the current year.
Date
Account
Debit
Credit
April 30
Cash
10,000
Interest Receivable
400
Explanation
To record collection of note receivable and interest
Accrued Revenue
Accruals are recorded before cash changes hands.
In this case, we are accruing revenue, but the customer hasn't paid us yet.