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Retained earnings is part of shareholders' equity. It is considered part of equity because it represents the profits that are retained in the company to fund growth. If a company would have paid out all past profits as dividend, then total assets (cash) would be lower, and retained earnings would have a zero balance.

Because net income is computed after claims of third parties (interest, wages, etc), there is no claim of third parties on profits that are retained. So, retained earnings are not a liability.

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Q: Why are retained earnings reported as part of shareholders' equity?
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Related questions

Is additional paid in capital refers to a firm's retained earnings?

Additional paid in capital (or APIC) is a component of the shareholders equity section of the balance sheet. Retained earnings is a separate component of shareholders equity.


How should you treat retained earnings in the balance sheet?

Retained earnings should be treated as a part of the equity section on the balance sheet. It is typically shown as a separate line item under shareholders' equity. Retained earnings represent the accumulated profits of the company that have been reinvested rather than distributed to shareholders.


Does Stock dividends cause a reduction in retained earnings but they never reduce total shareholders' equity?

yes


Do Dividends effect retained earnings?

Yes, dividends will have an impact on the retained earnings. It is important to note that dividends are considered to be a distribution of income and do not appear on the income statement. They will however be reduction in retained earnings on the statement of retained earnings or statement of changes in shareholders' equity (IFRS).


Does payment of dividends reduce stockholders equity?

Answer:Yes. Equity consists of paid-in capital (received from the shareholders when they bought their shares) and retained earnings. Retained earnings are all past earnings that the company made and did not pay out as a dividend (hence: "retained"). Retained earnings therefore increases with earnings, but decreases with dividends, since dividend is a distribution of earnings to the shareholders.


How do you account for retained profit?

Retained earnings is that portion of net income which is not available for distribution to shareholders and shown in equity section of balance sheet as addition to capital.


Is retained earnings a liability?

NO, the retained earnings would be in the equity part of the equation.


Are retained earnings an asset equity or liability?

asset equity


Where do retained earnings go?

Retained earning does not go anywhere. It is a part of capital equity which shown in equity section of balance sheet.


Is retained earnings asset or liability?

Neither. Retained Earnings falls in the Equity section of the Balance Sheet.


Retained earnings appear on the income statement?

No. Retained Earnings appears in the Equity section of the Balance Sheet.


What affects stockholders equity?

increase retained earnings