What type of adjusting entry would be made to recognize revenue that has been earned but not received?

When recognizing revenue that has been earned but not yet received, an accrual entry is necessary. This type of adjusting entry aligns with the accrual basis of accounting, which stipulates that revenues should be recognized in the period they are earned, regardless of when the payment is received.

For instance, if a service has been performed in October but payment is only received in November, an accrual entry will record the revenue in October. This is done by debiting accounts receivable to reflect the amount owed and crediting revenue to acknowledge the income earned.

Accrual entries are crucial for providing a more accurate financial picture of a company's performance within a given reporting period, ensuring that income is recorded in the correct timeframe. This also helps in matching expenses to the revenues they generate, providing clarity and consistency in financial reporting.

In contrast, deferral entries involve delaying the recognition of revenue or expenses to a later period, which doesn't apply in this case since the revenue has already been earned. Closing entries are used to prepare temporary accounts for the next accounting period, while cancellation entries are not a standard term in accounting.