On September 1, 2020, company takes out a $100,000 5-year loan with annual interest rate of 6%. Principal is scheduled to all be paid at the end of the loan term of 5 years, and interest payable annually on August 31. The company is getting ready to prepare financial statement for the year ending Dec 31, 2020. Which of the following entries correctly reflects what the company records, related to interest, for 2020 (assuming no other transactions affecting the relevant accounts)?
On Dec 31, 2020: Retained Earnings (OE) (interest expense) (dec) 2,000
…Interest Payable (L) (inc) 2,000
On Dec 31, 2020: Retained Earnings (OE) (interest expense) (dec) 2,000
…Cash (A) (dec) 2,000
On September 1, 2020: Retained Earnings (OE) (interest expense) (dec) 30,000
…Interest Payable (L) (inc) 30,000
Correct answer. According to the matching principle, expenses are recognized in the period in which related revenue is recognized. The interest for September to December makes the company’s operation and sales in September through December possible, and therefore should be recognized as an expense in the same period, with a corresponding increase in Interest Payable. The interest expense = 100,000*6%*4/12=2,000.