Is the adjusted trial balance prepared?
James Williams
Updated on February 19, 2026
An adjusted trial balance is prepared after adjusting entries are made and posted to the ledger. This is the second trial balance prepared in the accounting cycle. Its purpose is to test the equality between debits and credits after adjusting entries are made, i.e., after account balances have been updated.
What is adjusted trial balance?
An adjusted trial balance is a listing of the ending balances in all accounts after adjusting entries have been prepared. The adjusting entries are shown in a separate column, but in aggregate for each account; thus, it may be difficult to discern which specific journal entries impact each account.
What happens if prepaid expenses are not adjusted?
If prepaid expenses are not adjusted, they will be overstated and the expenses actually incurred understated. A misrepresentation of prepaid expenses and incurred expenses will have an impact on both the balance sheet and the income statement.
What happens if my trial balance is zero?
If an account has a zero balance, there is no need to list it on the trial balance. Example. Using Paul’s unadjusted trial balance and his adjusted journal entries, we can prepare the adjusted trial balance. Once all the accounts are posted, you have to check to see whether it is in balance.
When do you prepare the adjusted trial balance?
Once the posting is complete and the new balances have been calculated, we prepare the adjusted trial balance . As before, the adjusted trial balance is a listing of all accounts with the ending balances and in this case it would be adjusted balances.
How to add trial balance to posting account?
We are using the same posting accounts as we did for the unadjusted trial balance just adding on. Click Adj T-accounts to see the full posting. Notice how we start with the unadjusted trial balance in each account and add any debits on the left and any credits on the right.
How to adjust trial balance for prepaid rent?
Jim knows that of the 6 month’s prepaid rent, the company has used up 3 months, or half, of the prepayment. To account for this, he has to make an adjustment to the prepaid rent and the rent expense account. He credits prepaid rent in the amount of $12,000, which is half of the prepayment and debits the rent expense account in the same amount.