Financial Accounting Level 1: Accounting Cycle Foundations
Meta Summary: Master the accounting cycle with a complete worked example: analyze transactions, journalize, post to T-accounts, unadjusted trial balance, and adjusting entries. IFRS-aligned with step-by-step calculations.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Core Concepts & Accounting Equation
1.1 Accounting Equation & Double-Entry Rules
Accounting Equation: Assets = Liabilities + Equity
Double-Entry Rules: Every transaction affects at least 2 accounts. Debits = Credits.
Debit/Credit Rules
Assets................... Increase Dr, Decrease Cr
Expenses................. Increase Dr, Decrease Cr
Drawings................. Increase Dr, Decrease Cr
Liabilities.............. Decrease Dr, Increase Cr
Equity................... Decrease Dr, Increase Cr
Revenue.................. Decrease Dr, Increase Cr
Chapter 2: Worked Example - Analyzing & Journalizing Transactions
2.1 Chushmulilo Consulting - November 2026 Transactions
Nov 1: Owner M. Chushi invests $30,000 cash to start business.
Analysis: Cash ↑ Asset Dr, Capital ↑ Equity Cr
Entry: Dr Cash 30,000, Cr M. Chushi, Capital 30,000
Nov 3: Purchased equipment for $12,000 cash.
Analysis: Equipment ↑ Asset Dr, Cash ↓ Asset Cr
Entry: Dr Equipment 12,000, Cr Cash 12,000
Nov 5: Purchased supplies on account $1,800.
Analysis: Supplies ↑ Asset Dr, Accounts Payable ↑ Liability Cr
Entry: Dr Supplies 1,800, Cr Accounts Payable 1,800
Nov 10: Provided services for cash $5,500.
Analysis: Cash ↑ Asset Dr, Revenue ↑ Equity Cr
Entry: Dr Cash 5,500, Cr Service Revenue 5,500
Nov 15: Provided services on account $8,200.
Analysis: Accounts Receivable ↑ Asset Dr, Revenue ↑ Equity Cr
Entry: Dr Accounts Receivable 8,200, Cr Service Revenue 8,200
Nov 20: Paid wages $2,200.
Analysis: Wages Expense ↑ Expense Dr, Cash ↓ Asset Cr
Entry: Dr Wages Expense 2,200, Cr Cash 2,200
Nov 25: Received $4,000 from customer on account.
Analysis: Cash ↑ Asset Dr, Accounts Receivable ↓ Asset Cr
Entry: Dr Cash 4,000, Cr Accounts Receivable 4,000
Nov 28: Paid $900 on accounts payable.
Analysis: Accounts Payable ↓ Liability Dr, Cash ↓ Asset Cr
Entry: Dr Accounts Payable 900, Cr Cash 900
Nov 30: Owner withdrew $2,000 cash.
Analysis: Drawings ↑ Equity Dr, Cash ↓ Asset Cr
Entry: Dr M. Chushi, Drawings 2,000, Cr Cash 2,000
Chapter 3: Posting to T-Accounts & Unadjusted Trial Balance
3.1 T-Account Balances After Posting
After posting all 9 journal entries to ledgers:
Cash T-Account
Dr: 30,000 + 5,500 + 4,000 = 39,500
Cr: 12,000 + 2,200 + 900 + 2,000 = 17,100
Balance: Dr 22,400
Accounts Receivable
Dr: 8,200
Cr: 4,000
Balance: Dr 4,200
3.2 Unadjusted Trial Balance Nov 30, 2026
Account................................ Debit...... Credit
Cash................................... 22,400......
Accounts Receivable.................... 4,200......
Supplies............................... 1,800......
Equipment............................. 12,000......
Accounts Payable....................... ........... 900
M. Chushi, Capital..................... ........... 30,000
M. Chushi, Drawings.................... 2,000......
Service Revenue........................ ........... 13,700
Wages Expense.......................... 2,200......
Totals............................... 44,600..... 44,600
Debits = Credits. Ready for adjustments.
Chapter 4: Adjusting Entries Walkthrough
4.1 Adjustments Required at Nov 30
A. Supplies used: Count shows $600 supplies remaining. Used = 1,800 - 600 = 1,200
Dr Supplies Expense 1,200, Cr Supplies 1,200
B. Depreciation: Equipment $12,000, 4-year life, no salvage. Monthly = 12,000/48 = 250
Dr Depreciation Expense 250, Cr Accumulated Depreciation - Equipment 250
C. Wages accrued: $800 wages earned by employees Nov 29-30, to be paid Dec 2
Dr Wages Expense 800, Cr Wages Payable 800
D. Service revenue accrued: $1,500 services performed but not yet billed
Dr Accounts Receivable 1,500, Cr Service Revenue 1,500
Chapter 5: Adjusted Trial Balance
5.1 Adjusted Trial Balance Nov 30, 2026
After posting all 4 adjusting entries:
Account................................ Debit...... Credit
Cash................................... 22,400......
Accounts Receivable.................... 5,700......
Supplies............................... 600.........
Equipment............................. 12,000......
Accumulated Depreciation - Equip....... ........... 250
Accounts Payable....................... ........... 900
Wages Payable.......................... ........... 800
M. Chushi, Capital..................... ........... 30,000
M. Chushi, Drawings.................... 2,000......
Service Revenue........................ ........... 15,200
Wages Expense.......................... 3,000......
Supplies Expense....................... 1,200......
Depreciation Expense................... 250.........
Totals............................... 47,150..... 47,150
This adjusted trial balance is now ready for financial statement preparation. See Playbook 2 for the next steps.
FAQ
Why must we do adjusting entries?
Adjusting entries ensure revenues are recognized when earned and expenses when incurred, per accrual accounting. Without them, net income and balance sheet accounts would be misstated.
Can the adjusted trial balance not balance?
If debits ≠ credits after adjustments, you made an error in journalizing or posting. Common errors: forgetting one side of an entry, wrong amounts, or misclassifying. Fix before preparing statements.
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