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What is the difference between unearned revenue and deferred revenue? with example & terms of timing and recording .

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Question added by Shuayb Sallam , Payroll Manager , Khatib & Alami
Date Posted: 2014/12/22
Aamir Shad
by Aamir Shad , Internee , Toyota Sahara Pvt. Ltd

Unearned revenue and deferred revenue are the two names of the same concept. It is the amount which is received from the customer but the product or the service is not yet delivered. The company record this cash payment as liability.

Example:

Ahmed has paid amount 60,000 to Bilal as the 6 month rent in advance for the house. 10,000 is one month rent. This amount is for the period Jan to June. considering this month as Jan, the amount 10,000 would be recorded as revenue and the remaining 50,000 would be recorded as unearned/deferred revenue.

Muhammad Rashid Muhammad
by Muhammad Rashid Muhammad , AUDIT SUPERVISOR , S.M. SUHAIL & CO (CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT)

Unearned revenue is a part of Balance sheet n deferred  revenue is a liability because its link with revenue but not earned yet.

 

Muhammad Zeeshan Hyder
by Muhammad Zeeshan Hyder , Chief Accountant , SAED Group International (Al Dabbagh Group)

Both are same in nature... As both can be defined as the amount of revenue received in advance of providing goods or services. Both are treated as liablity and would be recorded in balance sheet as liability and when it will become earned same adjusting  entry would be passed for both types i.e debit deferred (OR) unearned revenue account and credit the Sales revenue/Service revenue account. 

Naveed Ahmad
by Naveed Ahmad , Director of Finance and Business Support , The House Hotel by Kerten Hospitality

Unearned revenue is the revenue which is not yet handed over to the recipient but is recorded in your balance sheet. Deferred revenue is a liability because it refers to revenue that has not yet been earned, but represents products or services that are owed to the customer. 

Saad ullah
by Saad ullah , Accountant , Mansour Al Mosaid Trading and Contracting Company

Both are same which earned in advance to perform services and also for goods when services or goods provided it turn into earned revenue

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Hafiz Amjad Mehmood
by Hafiz Amjad Mehmood , Project Accounting Manager , Huta Group

Unearned or Deferred Revenue is one & the same thing, It refers to the revenue that has been billed or collected but the related service has not yet been provided or the product has not yet been delivered, It is a liability account and is closed with revenue when the service/ product is delivered.

 

Examples:

Insurance Premium received in advance, Management Consultancy received in advance, Rent income received in advance

 

Recording:

The portion of Unearned or Deferred Revenue is closed with Revenue as and when the related Product/ Service is delivered & accepted

UN EARNED REVENUE-IT'S REVENUE FOR CURRENT ACTING F/Y

DEFERRED REVENUE-IT'S REVENUE FOR FUTURE/NEXT F/Y(LIABILITY A/C OF CURRENT F/Y)

Md. Moshiur Rahman Sumon
by Md. Moshiur Rahman Sumon , Assistant General Manager( Corporate Finance & Head of Internal Audit) , Progressive Life Insurance Company Limited

Unearned Revenue & Deferred Revenue:  Unearned revenue or deferred revenue  may be defined which is receipt earlier against any service provide or handover any kind of product to be sold as on specific time .It's ultimately a liability for company composes at liability side of Balance Sheet. Sensation of time it may call by name as  deferred or unearned revenue 

James PJ
by James PJ , Head of eBook Operations , Verse Innovations Pvt Limited

Unearned Revenue & Deferred Revenue are Mostly One and the same depending upon the context of usage. It can be explained as follows.

 It’s a form of revenue which cannot be considered on the Book of Accounts of a Company as revenue, Even though it’s called as a revenue, there is a liability statement that would be possibly attached to in the form of a service or product which is yet to be rendered to the recipient of the same, or the said revenue would have been received as an advance payment.

Faras Muhammad Awan
by Faras Muhammad Awan , Accounts Payable Accountant , Fetchr

Both are a part of Balance Sheet Item. However, it depends on a company to choose which wording to be used either as a "Deferred Revenue" or "Unearned Revenue". Concept is same.

Mainly the Telecom sector uses Deferred Revenue.

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