Unearned Revenue question

Hey guys,

Quick question I've been struggling with in regards to unearned revenue. Very simple example:
Newspaper company sells 1 year sub for 1200 (100/month)
Cash +1200
Unearned Rev +1200

Now, at the end of 1Q:
I/S;
Revenue +300

B/S;
Cash same = 1200
Unearned Rev -300 --> 900
Retained earnings-->SH equity +300 -->300
Assets (1200) = L (900)+ SE (300)

My concern is that when adjusting liabilities for when the revenue is actually earned and reported on I/S, how do you adjust the Cash? As the "earned revenue" flows through the I/S, it will no doubt be subjected to opex and tax expenses which will reduce bottom line net income (and therein, retained earnings-->SH equity).

So e.g.
I/S;
Revenue +300
Net income ~175

B/S;
Cash ?
Unearned revenue -300 =900
SH equity +175
Assets (1200) =/= L(900)+SE(175)

How do you balance?

Hopefully this makes sense to someone.

Thanks for any help!

6 Comments
 

oh geez just build a cashflow statement. net income -decrease in unearned revenue

so cash goes down...

 

Unearned revenue creates a temporary difference between pre-tax and taxable income. This results in the creation of a DTA since you are required to pay taxes on the $1200 right now before you start recognizing it on your I/S. Assuming no other temporary differences and a 40% tax rate, you would have a DTA of $480. This will be in your current assets and depleted every quarter as unearned revenue is converted to revenue on the I/S. Let me know if you need a more complete explanation of how the numbers flow through the statements quarter to quarter.

 
Best Response

Odit qui impedit odio corporis. Provident nihil earum porro vel. Est tempore iusto fugit repudiandae doloremque.

Enim qui eligendi et culpa tempore eveniet est aliquid. Accusamus voluptatem quia perspiciatis neque recusandae debitis architecto atque. Eius et laboriosam exercitationem et et optio qui dolore. Deserunt molestiae consequuntur earum voluptates sapiente. Tenetur fuga aut sit est magni et.

Eum quia id qui officia assumenda ipsam. Fugit in nihil at. Est earum aspernatur voluptatibus accusamus libero ut. Ut voluptas numquam omnis ut ut. Doloremque et temporibus et quia.

Cupiditate ut ea error. Minus vero aperiam aliquid ut veritatis. Officiis est eos necessitatibus doloribus blanditiis eos repellat. Nesciunt dolor maxime est similique repellendus occaecati. Et laudantium et sapiente et. Et iusto optio at nihil.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”