Which financial statement is affected by adjusting entries for accrued expenses?

Adjusting entries for accrued expenses are primarily recorded to match expenses to the periods in which they are incurred rather than when they are paid. These adjustments ensure that expenses recognize the true economic activity of the company during a specific accounting period.

When accrued expenses are recorded, they increase expenses on the Income Statement. This is important because it ensures that the costs associated with generating revenues in that period are reflected accurately, adhering to the matching principle of accounting. Increased expenses will ultimately lead to a decrease in net income for that period.

While accrued expenses may also impact accounts on the Balance Sheet, such as increasing liabilities (specifically, accrued liabilities), the immediate effect of recognizing these expenses directly goes to the Income Statement, highlighting the connection between expenses incurred and the profitability of the company during that period. Therefore, the Income Statement is the financial statement that displays the direct impact of adjusting entries for accrued expenses.