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June 7, 2024
Question

How to handle saving each month so it shows up on both the Balance Sheet & Income statement

  • June 7, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

So every month I have money from the chequing auto transfering to seperate savings accounts for future purchases. 

In the past I treated it as strictly a transfer between the two accounts but then there is no record of an expense on the income statement which means the net income/loss is incorrect. So I figure I need another record of either a PAYABLE or PREPAID, but when I go to apply I think I get confused. SO here is my thinking:

 

So if I am saving up every month for future car maintenance, I figured I need on the:

INCOME STATEMENT

- Saving Expense - CATEGORY

- Incurred Expense - CATEGORY

(Saving Expense would be when the money is transferred to the chequing to savings)

(Incurred Expense - When the expense in that category is actually incurred)

 

BALANCE SHEET 

- Chequing Acct (CASH - ASSET)

- Savings Acct (CASH - ASSET)

- Visa Credit Card (Current Liability)

- CATEGORY PAYABLE/PREPAID (?)

 

Here is where I get confused. How do I treat it in the Balance Sheet?

 

PREPAID? It is for future expenses, however I don't know how much I will be spending on that category and the money hasn't been paid towards the creditor/vendor at all.

PPE SAVINGS? It is for future expenses within the year not adding value to a PPE or saving for a future PPE so maybe not.

CURRENT INVESTMENT? The savings account is a TFSA and earns some interest but barely any. The purpose of the savings account is really only to set it aside till some future date when it is used. It is used within the year.

CURRENT LIABILITY/PAYABLE? The incurred expense is paid with the Visa so maybe the Savings offset the actual amount owed?

EQUITY? Could it be retained earnings as it technically will be retained to the following month? I'm reaching here but I'm second guessing myself on this. 

 

TO give a little more context this is how I would probably input the journal entries:

Date

Description

 

DEBIT

CREDIT

06/May

Incurred Expense -Car Maintenance

 

136.23

 

 

 

VISA Credit Card

 

136.23

 

PAYABLE/PREPAID - Car Maintenance

 

136.23

 

 

 

Savings Expense - Car Maintenance

 

136.23

Van Oil Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10/May

Savings Expense - Car Maintenance

 

300.00

 

 

 

(?) PAYABLE/PREPAID - Car Maintenance

 

300.00

 

SAVINGS ACCOUNT - Car Maintenance

 

300.00

 

 

 

CHEQUING ACCOUNT

 

300.00

Monthly Savings Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31/May

CHEQUING ACCOUNT

 

136.23

 

 

 

SAVINGS ACCOUNT - Car Maintenance

 

136.23

 

?

 

136.23

 

 

 

?

 

136.23

Transfer funds from Savings to chequing to pay car maint expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31/May

VISA Credit Card

 

136.23

 

 

 

CHEQUING ACCOUNT

 

136.23

 

PYBL?

 

136.23

 

 

 

?

 

136.23

Payment to credit card for monthly car maint expenses

 

 

 

 

 

This is where I get stuck the most, because at the end of the month I move the amount of incurred expenses from the Savings acct back to the chequing acct and then pay the credit card with that money. So does this mean I should have both a Prepaid and a Accounts Payable for this category so I can balance out the savings expense and incurred expense? 

Maybe I have over thought this, all I know is I looked back in my school notebooks and online and I cannot find anything. Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

1 reply

June 7, 2024

Hi WannaBeBetter01,

 

Thanks for reaching out to us here.  It's essential that your transactions are recorded accurately in QuickBooks Online, to reflect correctly in all areas of your books.  In this situation, I recommend speaking with an accounting professional for their expertise and best course of action. If you don't have an accountant, we can help you locate a ProAdvisor in your local area. 

 

If you have any other questions, feel free to reach back out. We would be happy to help!