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Multiple Choice
Equity is composed of contributed capital and which of the following?
A
Retained earnings
B
Inventory
C
Accounts payable
D
Prepaid expenses
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of equity in financial accounting. Equity represents the ownership interest in a company and is composed of two main components: contributed capital and retained earnings.
Step 2: Define contributed capital. Contributed capital refers to the funds that shareholders invest in the company, typically through the purchase of stock.
Step 3: Define retained earnings. Retained earnings are the cumulative profits that a company has earned and retained over time, after paying dividends to shareholders. It is a key component of equity.
Step 4: Analyze the other options provided in the question: Inventory, Accounts Payable, and Prepaid Expenses. These are not components of equity. Inventory is a current asset, Accounts Payable is a liability, and Prepaid Expenses are also assets.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is retained earnings, as it is the second component of equity alongside contributed capital.