Supervisory Question:

The next three steps in the accounting cycle are creating a trial balance, making adjusting entries and preparing an adjusted trial balance. A trial balance uses information from the general journal to create a mock balance sheet in an attempt to balance assets with liabilities and equity accounts. Next, accountants make adjusting entries to rectify non-cash accruals and deferred expenses, such as depreciation and amortization, based on the information contained in the trial balance. After making the appropriate journal entries to adjust for non-cash items, accountants prepare an adjusted trial balance which more accurately reflects the flow of assets for the period.