Accounting and Finance for Lawyers

Dividend


To pay out a dividend, debit the Retained Earnings account and credit the Cash Dividend Payable account. When it is actually paid, debit that and credit Cash.

Large Stock Dividend

If a corporation pays out a dividend in stock of at least 20% of the recipients', dividends are recorded according to the par value.

Small Stock Dividend

If a corporation pays out a dividend in stock of less than 20% of the recipients', dividends are recorded according to the market value (divided into the stock according to the par value and the Additional Paid-in-Capital).