Course Outline
Join PRO

What is the difference between accounts payable and accrued expenses payable?

Author:
Harold Averkamp, CPA, MBA

Definition of Accounts Payable

Accounts Payable is a liability account in which suppliers’ or vendors’ approved invoices are recorded. As a result, the balance in Accounts Payable should be a precise amount.

Definition of Accrued Expenses Payable

Accrued Expenses Payable is a liability account that records amounts that are owed, but the vendors’ invoices have not yet been received and/or have not yet been recorded in Accounts Payable as of the end of the accounting period. The amounts in this account are usually recorded with accrual adjusting entries made at the end of the accounting period.

Examples of Accrued Expenses Payable

In addition to the amounts associated with vendors’ invoices, accrued expenses may also include wages, interest, utilities, and other expenses that were incurred and owed, but not yet recorded in the general ledger accounts. Some of the amounts recorded in Accrued Expenses Payable may be estimated amounts that should supported by reasonable and documented calculations.

Join PRO to Track Progress
Must-Watch Video

Learn How to Advance Your Accounting and Bookkeeping Career

  • Perform better at your current job
  • Refresh your skills to re-enter the workforce
  • Pass your accounting class
  • Understand your small business finances
Watch the Video

Join PRO or PRO Plus and Get Lifetime Access to Our Premium Materials

Read all 2,645 reviews

Features

PRO

PRO Plus

Features
Lifetime Access (One-Time Fee)
Explanations
Quizzes
Q&A
Word Scrambles
Crosswords
Bookkeeping Video Training
Financial Statements Video Training
Flashcards
Visual Tutorials
Quick Tests
Quick Tests with Coaching
Cheat Sheets
Business Forms
All PDF Files
Progress Tracking
Earn Badges and Points
Certificate - Debits and Credits
Certificate - Adjusting Entries
Certificate - Financial Statements
Certificate - Balance Sheet
Certificate - Income Statement
Certificate - Cash Flow Statement
Certificate - Working Capital
Certificate - Financial Ratios
Certificate - Bank Reconciliation
Certificate - Payroll Accounting

About the Author

Harold Averkamp

For the past 52 years, Harold Averkamp (CPA, MBA) has worked as an accounting supervisor, manager, consultant, university instructor, and innovator in teaching accounting online. He is the sole author of all the materials on AccountingCoach.com.

Learn More About Harold

Certificates of
Achievement

Certificates of Achievement

We now offer 10 Certificates of Achievement for Introductory Accounting and Bookkeeping:

  • Debits and Credits
  • Adjusting Entries
  • Financial Statements
  • Balance Sheet
  • Income Statement
  • Cash Flow Statement
  • Working Capital and Liquidity
  • Financial Ratios
  • Bank Reconciliation
  • Payroll Accounting
Badges and Points
  • Work towards and earn 30 badges
  • Earn points as you work towards completing our course
View PRO Plus Features
Course Outline
Take the Tour Join Pro Upgrade to Pro Plus