The document defines retained earnings as a statement showing how much of a firm's earnings were retained rather than paid out as dividends. The retained earnings statement reconciles the beginning and ending balances by showing increases from net income and decreases from dividends paid. Retained earnings are accumulated for purposes like funding fixed asset investments and meeting working capital needs. The calculation takes the beginning retained earnings, adds net income, and subtracts dividends paid to arrive at the ending retained earnings balance.

2. contents
Definition
Statement of retained earning
Format of retained earning
Purposes of retained earning
Retained earning calculation
Restricted or unrestricted

3.  A statement reporting how much of
the firm,s earnings were retained in
the business rather than paid out in
dividends.
 It is the sum of the annual retained
earnings for reach year of the firm,s
history.

4.  The retained earnings statement reconciles the beginning and ending
balances in the retained earnings account. This statement can be
presented as a separate statement or in a combined statement of
income and retained earnings.
 A company’s overall income net income will cause retained earnings to
increase and a net loss will result in a decrease. Retained earnings is
also reduced by shareholder dividends.
 The statement of retained earnings provides a succinct reporting of
these changes in retained earnings from one period to the next. In
essence, the statement is nothing more than a reconciliation or “bird’s
eye view” of the bridge between the retained earnings amounts
appearing on two successive balance sheets.

6. Accumulation of Earnings
Investment in fixed assets
To meet working capitals

7.  The calculation is:
+ Beginning retained earning
+ Net income during the period
- Dividends paid
= Ending retained earnings
The retained earning formula is also known as retained
earnings equation

8.  RETAINED EARNINGS:
Retained earnings may be legal,
contractual and voluntary.
• UNRESTRICTED EARNINGS:
Unrestricted earnings are free
and can be declares as dividends.