Question

"Net income for the period was $200,000. The retained earnings account had a beginning balance of $25,000. If the company paid dividends of $20,000 during the year, what is the ending balance in retained earnings?"

Answer 1

Retained earning balance at the end would be = $205,000

Step-by-step explanation:

Retained earnings at the end = Retained earning at the beginning + Net income - Dividend paid

The net income would increase the balance of the retained earnings hence it is added to it.

The Dividend paid would be a cash outflow which would reduce the balance of the retained earnings, hence it is deducted from it.

So applying this to the question, we have

Retained earning balance at the end would be:

25,000 + 200,000 - 20,000 = $205,000

Retained earning balance at the end would be = $205,000