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Real account definition

Accounting Tools

What is a Real Account? A real account is an account that retains and rolls forward its ending balance at the end of the year. These amounts then become the beginning balances in the next period. The areas in the balance sheet in which real accounts are found are assets , liabilities , and equity.

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The difference between nominal accounts and real accounts

Accounting Tools

Related Courses Accountants’ Guidebook Bookkeeper Education Bundle Bookkeeping Guidebook What is a Nominal Account? A nominal account is one that is closed out at the end of each fiscal year. What is a Real Account? A real account carries forward its ending balance into the following year.

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Post-closing trial balance definition

Accounting Tools

Related Courses Bookkeeping Guidebook Closing the Books The Year-End Close What is a Post-Closing Trial Balance? A post-closing trial balance is a listing of all balance sheet accounts containing non-zero balances at the end of a reporting period.

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Contra equity account definition

Accounting Tools

What is a Contra Equity Account? A contra equity account is a stockholders' equity account with a negative balance. This means that the account has a net debit balance. This account reduces the total amount of equity held by a business. Owner's drawing account.

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Account balance definition

Accounting Tools

Related Courses Bookkeeper Education Bundle Bookkeeping Guidebook What is an Account Balance? An account balance is the current total in an account. General Ledger Account In accounting, the account balance is the current residual balance in an account.

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Temporary account definition

Accounting Tools

Related Courses Accountants’ Guidebook Bookkeeper Education Bundle Bookkeeping Guidebook What is a Temporary Account? A temporary account is an account that begins each fiscal year with a zero balance. The balances in these accounts should increase over the course of a fiscal year; they rarely decrease.

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Reconciling item definition

Accounting Tools

A reconciling item is a difference between balances from two sources that are being compared. These items are stated in an account reconciliation , so that the balance from one source is adjusted by reconciling items to arrive at the balance from the other source. What is a Reconciling Item? Deposits in transit.