Closing Entries

   •   ese are end-of-period journal entries prepared to “empty” the temporary accounts of their
       balances and prepare them for the next accounting period.

   •   e Income Summary account is a temporary proprietorship account used to close the
       temporary or nominal accounts.

   •   Temporary or nominal accounts are those whose balances pertain to a particular accounting
       period. ese are revenue and expense accounts, or income statement accounts.

   •   Preparation of closing entries is a required step in the accounting cycle. e closing journal
       entries are posted so that all nominal accounts should have zero balances at the start of the next
       accounting period.

Two Methods in Closing Accounts

   1. Direct Method - the net income or loss and Drawing account are closed directly to the Capital
      account.

   2. Indirect Method - the net income or loss is closed to the Drawing account, aer which the
      Drawing account is closed to the Capital account.

Steps in the Closing Process (Under the Indirect Method)

   1. Debit all nominal accounts with credit balances and credit Income Summary.

   2. Debit Income Summary and credit all nominal accounts with debit balances.

   3. Compute the balance of the Income Summary account (Steps 1 and 2). Close its balance
      against the Drawing account.

   4. Compute the updated balance of the Drawing account and close the amount against the
      Capital account.

   5. Compute the balance of the Capital account and prepare Post-Closing Trial Balance.

Closing entries

  • 1.
    Closing Entries • ese are end-of-period journal entries prepared to “empty” the temporary accounts of their balances and prepare them for the next accounting period. • e Income Summary account is a temporary proprietorship account used to close the temporary or nominal accounts. • Temporary or nominal accounts are those whose balances pertain to a particular accounting period. ese are revenue and expense accounts, or income statement accounts. • Preparation of closing entries is a required step in the accounting cycle. e closing journal entries are posted so that all nominal accounts should have zero balances at the start of the next accounting period. Two Methods in Closing Accounts 1. Direct Method - the net income or loss and Drawing account are closed directly to the Capital account. 2. Indirect Method - the net income or loss is closed to the Drawing account, aer which the Drawing account is closed to the Capital account. Steps in the Closing Process (Under the Indirect Method) 1. Debit all nominal accounts with credit balances and credit Income Summary. 2. Debit Income Summary and credit all nominal accounts with debit balances. 3. Compute the balance of the Income Summary account (Steps 1 and 2). Close its balance against the Drawing account. 4. Compute the updated balance of the Drawing account and close the amount against the Capital account. 5. Compute the balance of the Capital account and prepare Post-Closing Trial Balance.