Question

Choco-Delite Cookies Company​ (Choco) declared a​ $1,600,000 cash dividend on December​ 15, Year​ 2, payable to all stockholders on record the following month. On December​ 31, Year​ 2, the company completed a​ two-for-one stock split​ (Note: Prior to the split there were 2 million common shares outstanding with a par value of​ $2). If Choco had net income of​ $3,000,000 for year​ 2, what is the net journal entry impact on the​ company's retained earnings account for​ December, assuming that Choco posts journal entries on a monthly basis and that temporary accounts are closed at​ year-end?

Answer 1

The net journal entry impact on company's retained earnings is $1400,000 credit.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the dividends were declared on December 15,the following entries apply:

Dr Dividends $1600000

Cr Dividends payable $1600000

However,upon closing the dividends to retained earnings the below journal entries apply:

Dr Retained earnings $1600000

Cr Dividends $1600000

It is noteworthy that the stock-split does not impact the dividends or retained earnings of $3m in anyway.

Since,journal entries for temporary accounts are closed to retained earnings,invariably the net income of $3m in year 2 must also be shown in retained earnings using journal.

Dr Income statement $3000000

Cr Retained earnings $3000000

From the above,a debit of $1600000 and credit entry of $3000000 in retained earnings gives a credit balance of $1400000