What do the balances of temporary accounts show at the end of an accounting period?

• A. The financial position of the company
• B. The total assets owned by the company
• C. The results of operations for the period
• D. The amount of retained earnings at the end of the period

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of temporary accounts: Temporary accounts are used to record transactions for a specific accounting period and include revenue, expense, and dividend accounts. These accounts are closed at the end of the period to prepare for the next accounting cycle.
2. Recognize the purpose of temporary accounts: The balances in these accounts reflect the results of operations for the period, such as net income or net loss, which are then transferred to permanent accounts like retained earnings.
3. Learn the closing process: At the end of the accounting period, temporary accounts are closed by transferring their balances to the retained earnings account. This ensures that the temporary accounts start with a zero balance in the next period.
4. Differentiate temporary accounts from permanent accounts: Permanent accounts, such as assets, liabilities, and equity, carry their balances forward to the next accounting period, while temporary accounts do not.
5. Conclude the role of temporary accounts: The balances of temporary accounts at the end of the accounting period show the results of operations for the period, which is a key component in determining the company's financial performance.