What is a trial balance prepared before adjusting entries are posted called?

A trial balance prepared before any adjusting entries are posted is referred to as an unadjusted trial balance. This report lists all the accounts and their respective balances at a specific point in time, providing a snapshot of the financial position before any necessary adjustments are made to account for accrued or deferred items.

The significance of the unadjusted trial balance lies in its role as a starting point for the accounting cycle. It helps accountants verify that the total debits equal the total credits, ensuring that the company's books are balanced prior to the adjustments. This is essential for accurate financial reporting, as it allows any discrepancies or errors from the regular accounting entries to be identified before adjustments are implemented.

Once adjusting entries—such as those for accrued revenues, accrued expenses, and deferred expenses—are made, a new trial balance is prepared, often referred to as the adjusted trial balance. This later trial balance will reflect the changes from the adjustments and is used in the preparation of financial statements. The other terms listed do not accurately represent the trial balance before adjustments; thus, identifying it as the unadjusted trial balance is vital for understanding the accounting process.