amortization schedule definition

A multi-column listing of the amounts needed to eliminate a balance in a systematic manner over the life of the item. For example, an amortization schedule for a 15-year mortgage loan would show the 180 payments. The first column might be the payment number. The second column would show the amount of the payment. Column 3 would show the amount of interest being paid. Column 4 would show the principal amount being paid (total payment minus the interest payment). Column 5 would show the principal balance remaining after the payment (previous principal balance minus the current principal payment).

An amortization schedule for bond discount would show the amounts needed to be journalized over the life of the bonds in order to systematically move the amount from the balance sheet to interest expense on the income statement.