Journal entries usually dated the last day of the accounting period to bring the balance sheet and income statement up to date on the accrual basis of accounting.
Adjusting entries are made to report (1) revenues that have been earned but not yet entered into the accounting records, (2) expenses that have been incurred but have not yet been entered into the accounting records, (3) revenues already recorded that pertain to a future accounting period, or (4) expenses already recorded that pertain to a future accounting period.
To learn more about adjusting entries, see our Adjusting Entries Outline.
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