Accounting Glossary

Deferred Revenue

Definition

Cash received from a customer before the related goods or services have been delivered. It is recorded as a liability because the company still owes the customer the product or service.

Formula

Adjusting Entry: Debit Deferred Revenue / Credit Revenue (as earned)

Example

A software company receives $1,200 for a 12-month subscription — $100 is recognized as revenue each month.

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