What should be done if an adjusting entry contains an error?

When an adjusting entry contains an error, the appropriate course of action is to make a correcting entry. This is essential because proper financial reporting relies on accurate and truthful representation of a company's financial position.

A correcting entry is used to adjust the records to reflect the accurate amounts and to ensure that the financial statements are correct. This method is both straightforward and maintains the integrity of the accounting records, as it provides a clear audit trail. By making a correcting entry, you acknowledge the mistake and rectify it without erasing the original entry, which could lead to confusion and a lack of transparency in the financial records.

Other possibilities, such as reviewing all entries made that month or deleting the original entry, might seem practical, but they do not effectively resolve the issue. Reviewing entries can help identify the error, but it does not fix it. Deleting the original entry would create gaps in the accounting records and can lead to further discrepancies, undermining the accuracy of financial reporting. Thus, making a correcting entry is the most reliable and proper response to an error in an adjusting entry.