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
-
A subsidiary is a company that is completely or partly owned by another corporation that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock, and which normally acts as a holding corporation which at least partly or wholly controls the activities and policies of the daughter corporation.
-
Although technically a general ledger appears to be fairly simple compared to other processes, in large organizations, the general ledger has to provide many functionalities and it becomes considerably large and complex. Modern business organizations are complex, run multiple products and service lines, leveraging a large number of registered legal entities, and have varied reporting needs.
-
Global Business Services (GBS) Model
Global business services (GBS) is an integrated, scalable, and mature version of the shared services model. Global Business Services Model is a result of shared services maturing and evolving on a global scale. It is represented by the growth and maturity of the Shared services to better service the global corporations they support.
-
Legal Structures for Multinational Companies
A multinational company generally has offices and/or factories in different countries and a centralized head office where they coordinate global management. A multinational company (MNC)is a corporate organization that owns or controls the production of goods or services in at least one country other than its home country.
-
General Ledger - Advanced Features
Modern automated general ledger systems provide detailed and powerful support for financial reporting and budgeting and can report against multiple legal entities from the single system. These systems offer many advanced functionalities right from journal capture to advanced reporting. This article will provide an overview of some advanced features available in today's General Ledgers.
-
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.
-
Prepayments and Prepaid Expenses
Prepayments are the payment of a bill, operating expense, or non-operating expense that settle an account before it becomes due. Learn the concept of prepaid expenses. Understand the accounting treatment for prepaid expenses. Understand the concept by looking at some practical examples and finally learn the adjusting entry for these expenses.
-
In this article we will discuss various types of "Management Entities". Various types of operational units, are created by management, to effectively run, manage and control their business. Different types of functional units, and divisional units, are widely used across industry.
-
Network Organizational Structures
The newest, and most divergent, team structure is commonly known as a Network Structure (also called "lean" structure) has central, core functions that operate the strategic business. It outsources or subcontracts non-core functions. When an organization needs to control other organizations or agencies whose participation is essential to the success, a network structure is organized.
-
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles define the accounting procedures, and understanding them is essential to producing accurate and meaningful records. In this article we emphasize on accounting principles and concepts so that the learner can understand the “why” of accounting which will help you gain an understanding of the full significance of accounting.
