The premium on a three-year insurance policy expiring on December 31, 20x11, was paid in total on January 1, 20x9. The original payment was initially debited to a prepaid asset account. The appropriate journal entry has been recorded on December 31, 20x9. The balance in the prepaid asset account on December 31, 20x9 should be Select one: a. The same as the original payment b. The same as it would have been if the original payment had been debited initially to an expense account c. Higher than if the original payment had been debited initially to an expense account d. Zero Check

b. The same as it would have been if the original payment had been debited initially to an expense account

Explanation:

We can use an example to explain this:

original journal entry to record a 3 year insurance policy on January 1 is:

Dr Prepaid insurance 3,600

    Cr Cash 3,600

Adjusting entry on December 31

Dr Insurance expense 1,200

    Cr Prepaid insurance 1,200

balance of prepaid insurance = $3,600 - $1,200 = $2,400

If instead of recording prepaid insurance on January 1, you recorded insurance expense:

Dr Insurance expense 3,600

    Cr Cash 3,600

Adjusting entry on December 31

Dr Prepaid insurance 2,400

    Cr Insurance expense 2,400

balance of prepaid insurance = $2,400