Preferred Stock Dividends Journal Entry

Preferred stock is a specific type of stock that has certain rights and privileges that other types of stock do not have. For example, the preferred stock typically pays dividends at a fixed rate, and those dividends are paid before common stockholders. Preferred stockholders also have priority over common stockholders if the company is liquidated.

In addition, preferred stock usually doesn’t have voting rights, which means that preferred shareholders cannot participate in the management of the company. While preferred stock does have some advantages over common stock, it also typically doesn’t appreciate in value as much as common stock does. As a result, investors must weigh the pros and cons of each type of stock before choosing which one to invest in.

Many investors put a great deal of thought into where they want to put their money. With so many options available, it can be difficult to choose where to invest. However, one factor that often comes into play is whether or not a company pays dividends. A dividend is a distribution of a company’s earnings to its shareholders. For many investors, dividends are an important part of their overall strategy. They provide a source of income that can be used to reinvest in other opportunities or simply to cover living expenses. Additionally, dividends can also be reinvested in the company itself, allowing shareholders to compound their returns.

The preferred stock will be recorded as the equity part of the company on the balance sheet. It is separated from the common stock.

Journal Entry for Preferred Stock Dividend

The dividend will reduce the company’s retained earnings from the balance sheet. It is the deduction of the company’s accumulated profit and allocate to the shareholders.

The company is required to pay the dividend to preferred shareholders which is different from the common shareholders.

The journal entry is debiting retained earnings and credit cash.

Account	Debit	Credit
Retained Earning	XXX
Cash/Dividend Payable		XXX

It will decrease the amount of company retained earnings from the balance sheet. The cash will be reduced when the payment is made. The company can record dividend payable if it is not yet paid.

Example

Company ABC has issued the preferred shares to the capital market to raise additional capital. The company is required to make a dividend payment to the preferred shareholder. They have to make a dividend payment of $ 70,000. Please prepare a journal entry for dividends paid to preferred stockholders.

The company has paid a preferred stock dividend of $ 70,000, so they have to reduce the retained earnings and cash balance.

The journal entry is debiting retained earnings $ 70,000 and credit cash $ 70,000.

Account	Debit	Credit
Retained Earning	70,000
Cash		70,000