For each item below, indicate to which category of elements of financial statements it belongs. a. Retained earnings. select a category b. Sales. select a category c. Additional paid-in capital. select a category d. Inventory. select a category e. Depreciation. select a category f. Loss on sale of equipment. select a category g. Interest payable. select a category h. Dividends. select a category i. Gain on sale of investment. select a category j. Issuance of common stock. select a category
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To categorize the items listed based on financial statement elements, let’s break them down:
a. Retained earnings – Equity
Retained earnings are part of shareholders’ equity. It represents the accumulated net income of a company that has not been distributed as dividends but instead reinvested in the business.
b. Sales – Revenue
Sales, also referred to as “revenue,” represent the total amount of money received or to be received from the sale of goods or services during a specific period. This is part of the income statement.
c. Additional paid-in capital – Equity
Additional paid-in capital (APIC) refers to the amount that shareholders have paid for their shares above the nominal or par value. This falls under shareholders’ equity.
d. Inventory – Assets
Inventory represents the goods and materials that a company holds for the purpose of resale. It’s a current asset on the balance sheet.
e. Depreciation – Expense
Depreciation is the allocation of the cost of a long-term asset over its useful life. It’s an expense on the income statement.
f. Loss on sale of equipment – Expense
This refers to the financial loss incurred when an asset, such as equipment, is sold for less than its book value. It’s considered an expense on the income statement.
g. Interest payable – Liabilities
Interest payable is the amount of interest that a company owes to its creditors but has not yet paid. This is listed under current liabilities on the balance sheet.
h. Dividends – Equity
Dividends are distributions of profits to shareholders. While they affect equity, they do not appear as an expense on the income statement; rather, they are deducted from retained earnings on the balance sheet.
i. Gain on sale of investment – Revenue
The gain on sale of an investment refers to any profit made when an investment is sold for more than its original cost. This is recognized as revenue on the income statement.
j. Issuance of common stock – Equity
When a company issues common stock, it is raising capital from shareholders. This transaction increases the company’s equity, appearing on the balance sheet under shareholders’ equity.
In summary:
- Equity: Retained earnings, Additional paid-in capital, Dividends, Issuance of common stock
- Revenue: Sales, Gain on sale of investment
- Assets: Inventory
- Expense: Depreciation, Loss on sale of equipment
- Liabilities: Interest payable
