In: Finance
Explain the account called "Retained Earnings". What does it represent?
What causes it to increase?
What causes it to decrease?
Solution: | ||||
Retained earnings are the portion of Net income left after payment of dividends if any, accumulated as reserve during profitable period operations of business of Entity/Company. It is used by the organization for payments of dividends in coming years or reinvested in business operation in the form of Working capital, capital expenditure, or settlement of debt obligation. | ||||
Retained Earnings are represents as portion of Stockholder's Equity and it is shown under Stockholders' Equity in Balance sheet of the Entity/Company. | ||||
Closing Retained Earnings = Beginning Period Retained Earnings + Net Income or - Net Loss – Cash Dividends – Stock Dividends | ||||
# Credits Causes to increase in retained earnings like Net income for the period , Prior period adjustment for understatement of net income. | ||||
# Debits Causes to decrease in retained earnings like Net Loss , Prior period adjustment for overstatement of net income , Cash and stock dividends , Sale of treasure stock below cost. | ||||
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