Financial Accounting, 8th Edition
Financial Accounting, 8th Edition
8th Edition
ISBN: 9780078025556
Author: Robert Libby, Patricia Libby, Daniel Short
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
bartleby

Concept explainers

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 9, Problem 1Q
To determine

Define the term liability and differentiate between the current liability and long-term liability.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Liability:

Liability is referred to as the obligation of the business towards the creditors for operating the business. Liability may be short-term or long-term depending upon the time duration in which it is paid back to the creditors.

Differences between current liability and long-term liability

  • Current liabilities are those obligation of business to pay in the short-term using the current assets of the company.
  • Long-term liabilities are those obligations that are expected to pay back in more than year.
  • It is important to distinguish between current and long-term liabilities because it helps the investors and the creditors of the company in assessing the quantum of risk involved in the business’ obligations. Generally, most companies would like to report their liabilities as the long-term liabilities rather than current liabilities as it may make the firm to appear less risky. Long-term liabilities are better than current liabilities as the increase in current liabilities would show a less working capital (Working Capital=Current Assets-Current Liabilities).
  • These firms which report their liabilities as long-term liabilities and which appear less risky may also enjoy lower interest rates on loans borrowed, and command higher stock prices in listing for new stocks.
  • Both current liabilities and long-term liabilities appear in the balance sheet of the company.

Examples of current liabilities and long-term liabilities

  • Examples of current liabilities: Accounts payable, Salaries and Wages payable, Interest payable, and Income Tax payable.
  • Examples of long-term liabilities: Bank loans, Mortgage, Bonds payable, and Notes payable.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Distinguish between a current liability and a long-termdebt.
Explain the characteristics of a liability.
Distinguish between a determinable current liability anda contingent liability. Give two examples of each type.

Chapter 9 Solutions

Financial Accounting, 8th Edition

Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Accounting
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, accounting and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Principles of Accounting Volume 1
Accounting
ISBN:9781947172685
Author:OpenStax
Publisher:OpenStax College
Text book image
Intermediate Accounting: Reporting And Analysis
Accounting
ISBN:9781337788281
Author:James M. Wahlen, Jefferson P. Jones, Donald Pagach
Publisher:Cengage Learning