F. Post-Closing Trial Balance
1. After the closing journal entries are posted, all temporary
accounts should have zero balances. These accounts will
be ready for recording transactions next year.
Illustrated in Exhibit 4.14
2. The ending balance in Retained Earnings is now up to
date (it matches the year-end amount on the statement of
retained earnings and balance sheet) and is carried
forward as the beginning balance for the next year.
In this context, post means
3. Post-closing trial balance––An internal report prepared
to check that total debits still equal total credits and that
all temporary accounts have been closed.
“after,” so a post-closing
trial balance is an “after–
closing” trial balance.
III. Evaluate the Results
LO 4-6 Explain how adjustments affect financial results.
A. Adjusted Financial Results
1. Adjustments help to ensure that all revenues and expenses
are reported in the period in which they are earned and
incurred.
2. As a result of adjustments, the financial statements
present the best picture of whether the company’s
business activities were profitable that period and what
economic resources the company owns and owes at the
end of that period.
The “Spotlight on Financial
Reporting” feature addresses
the failure of Circuit City.
3. Without these adjustments, the financial statements
present an incomplete and misleading picture of the
company’s financial performance.
❖ Spotlight Video Series—
Chapter 4
Supplemental Enrichment Activities
Note: These activities would be suitable for individual or group activities.
1. Handout 4–1
Use Handout 4–1 for an in-class activity designed to review transaction analysis (preparation of
adjusting entries and impact on the accounting equation) and the posting to T-accounts. The solution
follows the handout master.
2. Handout 4–2
If you used Handout 4–1, use Handout 4-2 for an in-class activity designed to review the preparation
of an adjusted trial balance. The solution follows the handout master.
3. Handout 4–3
If you used Handout 4–2, use Handout 4–3 for an in-class activity designed to review the preparation
of financial statements. The solution follows the handout master.
4. Handout 4–4
If you used Handout 4–2, use Handout 4–4 for an in-class activity designed to review the preparation
of closing entries and a post-close trial balance. The solution follows the handout master.