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Heres a quick guide on deferred revenue and its role in an entitysoverall financial picture.

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What is deferred revenue?

Deferred revenue, also called unearned revenue, is recognized as a liability on a companys balance sheet.

Understanding deferred revenue can be critical to a companys financial health, operating and income projections.

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How does deferred revenue work?

Deferred revenue works by acknowledging the timing difference between receiving payment and delivering goods or services.

The full amount is recorded as deferred revenue when a customer pays for this service.

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How is deferred revenue treated for tax purposes?

Plus, a healthy dynamic between these figures would signal that income is recognized effectively without overstating earnings.

Daniel Milan is a managing partner at Cornerstone Financial Services.

He explains that this is important to understand to make it not artificially inflate a companys profitability.

Nathan Redman-Brown is awealth advisory analystat Bordeaux Wealth Advisors.

Even though the projected number of company B is higher, company A has already captured the cash.

He continues, Higher unearned revenues traditionally indicate contractuallyguaranteed revenue flowswith low variability.

How does a company track deferred revenue?

Bottom line

Proper tracking and recognition of deferred revenue play an important role in accurate financial reporting.

Additionally, it can help with operational efficiency and potential tax strategies.

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