What is meant by "accrued interest"?

Accrued interest refers to interest expense that has been incurred but has not yet been paid by the company. This is a key concept in accounting because it aligns with the accrual basis of accounting, which recognizes expenses when they are incurred rather than when they are paid.

For instance, if a company has taken out a loan and interest has accumulated over a period but the payment date has not arrived yet, the company must record this interest as a liability on the balance sheet. By recognizing the accrued interest, the company provides a more accurate representation of its financial obligations as well as its financial performance during a reporting period.

The other choices describe different situations that do not align with the definition of accrued interest. For example, interest that has been paid but not incurred does not make sense, as it implies payment without obligation. Unaccounted interest does not clearly define the relationship between incurred expenses and financial statements. Lastly, future interest expected on investments does not pertain to current obligations but rather to projections, which is not what accrued interest represents.