
Expanded Accounting Equation
The expanded accounting equation is derived from the common accounting equation and illustrates in greater detail the different components of stockholders' equity in a company. Paid-In Capital) BRE \= Beginning Retained Earnings, earnings not distributed to stockholders from the previous period R \= Revenue, what’s generated from the ongoing operation of the company E \= Expenses, costs incurred to run operations of the business D \= Dividends, earnings distributed to the stockholders of the company \\begin{aligned}&\\text{Assets} = \\text{Liabilities} + \\text{CC} + \\text{BRE} + \\text{R} - \\text{E} - \\text{D} \\\\&\\textbf{where:}\\\\&\\text{CC} = \\text{Contributed Capital, capital provided by} \\\\&\\text{the original stockholders (also known as Paid-In Capital)} \\\\&\\text{BRE} = \\text{Beginning Retained Earnings, earnings not} \\\\&\\text{distributed to stockholders from the previous period} The common form of the accounting equation is: Assets \= Liabilities \+ Owner’s Equity where: Liabilities \= All current and long-term debts and obligations Owner’s Equity \= Assets available to shareholders after all liabilities \\begin{aligned} &\\text{Assets} = \\text{Liabilities} + \\text{Owner's Equity}\\\\ &\\textbf{where:}\\\\ &\\text{Liabilities} = \\text{All current and long-term debts} \\\\ &\\text{and obligations}\\\\ &\\text{Owner's Equity} = \\text{Assets available to shareholders} \\\\ &\\text{after all liabilities}\\\\ \\end{aligned} Assets\=Liabilities+Owner’s Equitywhere:Liabilities\=All current and long-term debtsand obligationsOwner’s Equity\=Assets available to shareholdersafter all liabilities The expanded accounting equation decomposes equity into component parts: Assets \= Liabilities \+ CC \+ BRE \+ R − The accounting equation whereby Assets = Liabilities + Shareholders' equity is calculated as follows: **Accounting equation** = $157,797 (total liabilities) + $196,831 (equity) equal $354,628, which equals the total assets for the period. We could also use the expanded accounting equation to see the effect of reinvested earnings ($419,155), other comprehensive income ($18,370), and treasury stock ($225,674). * This is the capital provided by the original stockholders (also known as paid-in capital). **Beginning retained earnings:** Retained earnings are the earnings not distributed to the stockholders from the previous period.

By decomposing equity into component parts, analysts can get a better idea of how profits are being used — as dividends, reinvested into the company, or retained as cash.
Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity where: Liabilities = All current and long-term debts and obligations Owner’s Equity = Assets available to shareholders after all liabilities \begin{aligned} &\text{Assets} = \text{Liabilities} + \text{Owner's Equity}\\ &\textbf{where:}\\ &\text{Liabilities} = \text{All current and long-term debts} \\ &\text{and obligations}\\ &\text{Owner's Equity} = \text{Assets available to shareholders} \\ &\text{after all liabilities}\\ \end{aligned} Assets=Liabilities+Owner’s Equitywhere:Liabilities=All current and long-term debtsand obligationsOwner’s Equity=Assets available to shareholdersafter all liabilities
Assets = Liabilities + CC + BRE + R − E − D where: CC = Contributed Capital, capital provided by the original stockholders (also known as Paid-In Capital) BRE = Beginning Retained Earnings, earnings not distributed to stockholders from the previous period R = Revenue, what’s generated from the ongoing operation of the company E = Expenses, costs incurred to run operations of the business D = Dividends, earnings distributed to the stockholders of the company \begin{aligned}&\text{Assets} = \text{Liabilities} + \text{CC} + \text{BRE} + \text{R} - \text{E} - \text{D} \\&\textbf{where:}\\&\text{CC} = \text{Contributed Capital, capital provided by} \\&\text{the original stockholders (also known as Paid-In Capital)} \\&\text{BRE} = \text{Beginning Retained Earnings, earnings not} \\&\text{distributed to stockholders from the previous period} \\&\text{R} = \text{Revenue, what's generated from the ongoing} \\&\text{operation of the company} \\&\text{E} = \text{Expenses, costs incurred to run operations of} \\&\text{the business} \\&\text{D} = \text{Dividends, earnings distributed to the stockholders} \\&\text{of the company}\end{aligned} Assets=Liabilities+CC+BRE+R−E−Dwhere:CC=Contributed Capital, capital provided bythe original stockholders (also known as Paid-In Capital)BRE=Beginning Retained Earnings, earnings notdistributed to stockholders from the previous periodR=Revenue, what’s generated from the ongoingoperation of the companyE=Expenses, costs incurred to run operations ofthe businessD=Dividends, earnings distributed to the stockholdersof the company
Some terminology may vary depending on the type of entity structure. "Members' capital" and "owners' capital" are commonly used for partnerships and sole proprietorships, respectively, while "distributions" and "withdrawals" are substitute nomenclature for "dividends."
Let's look at an actual historical example. Below is a portion of Exxon Mobil Corporation's (XOM) balance sheet as of September 30, 2018.
The accounting equation whereby Assets = Liabilities + Shareholders' equity is calculated as follows:
XOM Balance Sheet.



Related terms:
Accounting Equation : Formula & Examples
The accounting equation shows that all of a company's total assets equals the sum of the company's liabilities and shareholders' equity. read more
Contributed Capital
Contributed capital, also known as paid-in capital, is the total value of the stock that shareholders have directly purchased from the issuing company. read more
Entity Theory
The entity theory is the theory that the economic activities, accounts, and liabilities of a business should be kept distinct from those of its owners. read more
Equity : Formula, Calculation, & Examples
Equity typically refers to shareholders' equity, which represents the residual value to shareholders after debts and liabilities have been settled. read more
Financial Statements , Types, & Examples
Financial statements are written records that convey the business activities and the financial performance of a company. Financial statements include the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. read more
Net Income (NI)
Net income, also called net earnings, is sales minus cost of goods sold, general expenses, taxes, and interest. read more
Paid-In Capital
Paid-in capital is the capital paid in by investors during common or preferred stock issuances. Learn how paid-in capital impacts a company’s balance sheet. read more
Retained Earnings
Retained earnings are a firm's cumulative net earnings or profit after accounting for dividends. They're also referred to as the earnings surplus. read more
Sole Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship or sole trader is an unincorporated business with a single owner who pays personal income tax on profits earned from the business. read more
Related terms:
Accounting Equation : Formula & Examples
The accounting equation shows that all of a company's total assets equals the sum of the company's liabilities and shareholders' equity. read more
Contributed Capital
Contributed capital, also known as paid-in capital, is the total value of the stock that shareholders have directly purchased from the issuing company. read more
Entity Theory
The entity theory is the theory that the economic activities, accounts, and liabilities of a business should be kept distinct from those of its owners. read more
Equity : Formula, Calculation, & Examples
Equity typically refers to shareholders' equity, which represents the residual value to shareholders after debts and liabilities have been settled. read more
Financial Statements , Types, & Examples
Financial statements are written records that convey the business activities and the financial performance of a company. Financial statements include the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. read more
Net Income (NI)
Net income, also called net earnings, is sales minus cost of goods sold, general expenses, taxes, and interest. read more
Paid-In Capital
Paid-in capital is the capital paid in by investors during common or preferred stock issuances. Learn how paid-in capital impacts a company’s balance sheet. read more
Retained Earnings
Retained earnings are a firm's cumulative net earnings or profit after accounting for dividends. They're also referred to as the earnings surplus. read more
Sole Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship or sole trader is an unincorporated business with a single owner who pays personal income tax on profits earned from the business. read more