A contra account is an entry on the general ledger with a balance contrary to the normal balance for that categorization (i.e. asset, liability, or equity). Learn why contra accounts, when utilized correctly along with a paired account, are a crucial component of accurate accounting and financial review. When accounting for assets, the difference between the asset’s account balance and the contra account balance is referred to as the book value. There are two major methods of determining what should be booked into a contra account. Note that the asset account balance represents the purchase price of the asset in question, also known as its historical cost.

• Contra liability accounts are typically used for bonds, notes payable, and other indebtedness.
• Therefore, for these three, the debit balance actually represents a negative amount.
• Contra liability accounts are mainly used by corporations that issue bonds frequently.
• These three types of contra accounts are used to reduce liabilities, equity, and revenue which all have natural credit balances.

A contra account is a general ledger account with a balance that is opposite of the normal balance for that account classification. The use of a contra account allows a company to report the original amount and also report a reduction so that the net http://key3media.com/trade_logo.html amount will also be reported. The net amount is often referred to as the carrying amount or perhaps the net realizable amount. All in all, contra accounts are an important tool for businesses to use to understand their financial standing better.

Allowance for Receivables

A less common example of a contra asset account is Discount on Notes Receivable. The credit balance in this account is amortized or allocated to Interest Income or Interest Revenue over the life of a note receivable. http://www.beriki.ru/2007/03/20/poker-lzhetsov-po-russki However, that $1.4 billion is used to reduce the balance of gross accounts receivable. Therefore, contra accounts, though they represent a positive amount, are used to net reduce a gross amount.

• Offsetting the asset account with its respective contra asset account shows the net balance of that asset.
• Contra liability accounts are special accounts in the liabilities section of the balance sheet.
• When a contra asset account is not stated separately in the balance sheet, it may be worthwhile to disclose the amount in the accompanying footnotes, where readers can readily see it.
• The net realizable value of the accounts receivable is the accounts receivable minus the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Sometimes, both accounts can be written in a single line if they don’t represent a large portion of the assets. In case the contra asset account is not listed in the balance sheet, it must be listed in the footnotes of the financial statement for the users to be informed. A contra asset is a negative asset account that offsets the asset account with which it is paired.

What is a Contra Asset Account?

It can help businesses see the complete picture of their income and expenses. Most accountants choose to record the depreciation over the useful life of an item in the accumulated depreciation contra asset account, which is a credit account. The balance sheet would show the piece of equipment at its historical cost, then subtract the accumulated depreciation to reflect the accurate value of the asset. Contra assets are accounts in the general ledger—where you enter your transactions—that carry a balance used to offset the account with which it is paired. Instead of debiting the asset account directly, the contra asset account balance will be credited (reduced) separately. In the realm of accounting, various techniques are used to ensure financial statements provide an accurate and comprehensive view of a company’s financial health.

That is to completely or partially offset the balance of their related asset accounts. Asset accounts usually have a positive value which is the same http://www.3dstereomedia.com/market-your-images-business.html as a debit balance. Examples include accumulated depreciation, sales returns and allowances, and contra equity accounts like treasury stock.

What is the importance of Contra Asset Accounts?

Contra asset accounts include allowance for doubtful accounts and accumulated depreciation. Contra asset accounts are recorded with a credit balance that decreases the balance of an asset. A key example of contra liabilities includes discounts on notes or bonds payable.

• Therefore, contra equity accounts have a debit balance to offset their corresponding equity balances.
• Allowance for receivables is an account that companies maintain to record possible bad debts.
• Although they all aim at reducing the balance of some type of account, it is useful to have some general foundational knowledge of the different types of accounts.
• The difference between an asset’s account balance and the contra account balance is known as the book value.