Is Interest Payable a Current liability?

Interest Payable is a liability account on an organization’s balance sheet that represents the amount of interest owed to lenders and creditors for borrowed funds or unpaid promissory notes. Interest payable is typically reported as a current liability as the company has obligation to settle with the creditor in less than ax year from the reporting date.

Accrual accounting requires businesses to record liabilities when incurred instead of when paid. This means that even if the company has not yet paid the interest bills, businesses have to recognize the accrual interest expense on the income statement.

At the end of the accounting period, the company requires to record interest expense on the income statement even if the payment is not yet made. At the same time, the company needs to record interest payable which is the obligation on the balance sheet.

How Does Interest Payable Work?

Interest payable reports how much an organization owes its lenders in terms of financial costs due to the borrowing fund. It occurs when an individual or business takes a loan from a lender at an agreed-upon interest rate. At the end of the accounting period, the company has obligation to pay the interest to the creditors.

The agreed payment date may be different from the reporting date. The interest expense has been partially incurred but it does not reach the payment date, but the company needs to prepare the financial statement. Based on the accrued principle, the company needs to record an expense when they incur rather than paid. So part of the interest expense must be recorded on the income statement. Another side of the recording will impact the interest payable which is the company’s obligation toward the creditors. It will present on the company balance sheet.

Moreover, the company is required to record the interest payable if they miss the payment to creditors. It means that the company fails to make payments, but they need to keep a record of the interest expense. The interest payable will accumulate on the balance sheet until the payment is made.

Is Interest Payable a Current Liability?

Interest Payable is a current liability that occurs when interest is due on outstanding debt. This type of liability typically arises when a company borrows money from a bank or other lender, and it can also be accrued when interest is not yet paid. The amount of interest that is due and any associated fees become liabilities of the borrower when they accrue over time.

It is typically acknowledged as being one of the most important components of current liabilities on a company’s balance sheet. It signals how much money the company owes to its creditors regarding the finance cost. If the interest payable amount increases over time, potential lenders may be less likely to loan money since they know the borrower already has a sizable obligation already.

The company has the obligation to settle the interest payable within a year, so it is classified as the current liability. It is usually required to pay on the monthly basis. So it is supposed to be settled with the creditor within a month only. The interest payable is not supposed to stay more than a year on the company’s balance sheet.

Current Liability

A current liability is a financial obligation of an entity that is due for payment within one accounting period. Current liabilities are typically expected to be paid from existing resources, such as cash or other assets, which the business intends to use in order to satisfy its obligations within a short time frame. Common examples of current liabilities are accounts payable, interest payable, short-term debt, and so on.

Accounts payable is an amount owed to vendors and suppliers for goods and services purchased on credit. These debts typically come with specific payment terms such as 30 or 60 days. Missing the deadline with the supplier, the company will receive penalties or interest charges. In a serious situation, the supplier will not make any sales in the future which will impact the business operation.

Short-term debt consists of any loans or notes payable falling due within one year. Generally speaking, this type of debt has higher interest rates than long-term obligations.

Journal Entry for Interest Payable

At the end of the accounting period, company requires to prepare a financial statement. All the revenue and expenses must be included in the income statement to reflect the actual performance of the company. The interest expense should be calculated and recorded as well. The interest expense should be the unpaid amount from the last payment date up to the reporting date. It will include any unpaid interest as well.

The journal entry is debiting interest expense and crediting interest payable.

Account Debit Credit
Interest Expense $$$
Interest Payable $$$

The interest payable will be accumulated with other interest payable on the balance sheet. It will become the total interest that company owes to the creditors.

Example

Company ABC has borrowed $600,000 from the bank. Based on the payment schedule, the company has to make an interest payment of $ 5,000 on the 15th of the month. The company is preparing financial statements for the month. Please prepare journal entry for interest payable.

When preparing the financial statement, ABC needs to include all the revenue and expense that incur during the month. It also includes the interest expense as well. The company does not yet account for the interest expense from the 15th to the month’s end which is 50% of the monthly interest expense. The interest expense $ 2,500 (50%) must be included in the current month’s report.

The journal entry is debiting interest expense $ 2,500 and crediting interest payable $ 2,500.

Account Debit Credit
Interest Expense 2,500
Interest Payable 2,500

Conclusion

Interest is a crucial part of the modern financial system, providing incentives for lenders to lend money and helping to fuel economic growth. Interest payments are an important source of income for lenders, and it is essential for both parties to understand the interest rate being charged, as well as the associated risks.