Which of the following accounts would normally have a debit balance on the trial balance?

• A. Accounts Receivable
• B. Sales Revenue
• C. Accumulated Depreciation
• D. Accounts Payable

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of debit and credit balances: In accounting, accounts are classified into assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, and expenses. Asset and expense accounts typically have debit balances, while liability, equity, and revenue accounts usually have credit balances.
2. Analyze each account type: Accounts Receivable is an asset account, Sales Revenue is a revenue account, Accumulated Depreciation is a contra-asset account, and Accounts Payable is a liability account.
3. Determine the normal balance for each account: Asset accounts like Accounts Receivable normally have debit balances because they represent resources owned by the company. Revenue accounts like Sales Revenue have credit balances because they increase equity. Contra-asset accounts like Accumulated Depreciation have credit balances because they reduce the value of assets. Liability accounts like Accounts Payable have credit balances because they represent obligations.
4. Focus on the account with a debit balance: Based on the analysis, Accounts Receivable is the account that would normally have a debit balance on the trial balance.
5. Review the trial balance structure: The trial balance lists all accounts with their respective debit or credit balances to ensure that total debits equal total credits, which is a fundamental principle of double-entry accounting.