Chapter 3, Problem E3A.31E

Understanding the alternative treatment of prepaid expenses

Learning Objectives 3, 7 Appendix 3A

At the beginning of the year, office supplies of $1,200 were on hand. During the year, Tempo Air Conditioning Service paid $4,000 for more office supplies. At the end of the year, Tempo has $800 of office supplies on hand.

Requirements

1. Record the adjusting entry assuming that Tempo records the purchase of office supplies by initially debiting an asset account. Post the adjusting entry to the Office Supplies and Supplies Expense T-accounts. Make sure to include the beginning balance and purchase of office supplies in the Office Supplies T-account.
2. Record the adjusting entry assuming that Tempo records the purchase of office supplies by initially debiting an expense account. Post the adjusting entry to the Office Supplies and Supplies Expense T-accounts. Make sure to include the beginning balance in the Office Supplies T-account and the purchase of office supplies in the Supplies Expense T-account.
3. Compare the ending balances of the T-accounts under both approaches. Are they the same?