Question

At the beginning of April, Owl Corporation has a balance of $11,500 in the Retained Earnings account. During the month of April, Owl had the following external transactions.
1. Issue common stock for cash, $10,000.
2. Provide services to customers on account, $7,000.
3. Provide services to customers in exchange for cash, $1,700.
4. Purchase equipment and pay cash, $6,100.
5. Pay rent for April, $1,200.
6. Pay employee salaries for April, $2,000.
7. Pay dividends to stockholders, $1,250.
Required:
Using the external transactions above, compute the balance of Retained Earnings at April 30. (Decreases should be entered as a negative.)

Answer 1

Answer: $15,750

Explanation:

Retained earnings are profits so will be increased by sales and services provided and reduced by expenses.

They will also be reduced by dividends because that is where dividends are paid from:

Retained earnings = Opening balance + service for customers + service for customers - rent - employee salaries - dividends

= 11,500 + 7,000 + 1,700 - 1,200 - 2,000 - 1,250

= $15,750